EPA fines developer

SANDPOINT — The builder of a condominium project on Schweitzer Mountain is paying $12,900 to resolve allegations that it mismanaged runoff at its construction site.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the settlement with G.F. Barnes Construction on Wednesday. The alleged Clean Water Act violations were discovered at the Granite Peaks condominium project.

Federal and state inspectors observed the violations beginning in the spring of 2005, EPA said. The violations included discharging sediment into a tributary of Granite Creek and failing to obtain the proper permit under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System.

The permit requires operators of a construction site to conduct regular inspections and implement stormwater controls in order to protect waterways.

“We take protecting Idaho waterways very seriously. Builders and developers need to get the right permits and implement stormwater controls before they start work or, like Barnes Construction, they will face fines,” Jim Werntz, EPA’s director of Idaho operations, said in a statement.