CWA violations net EPA fines

SANDPOINT — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has reached settlements with five firms and individuals accused of violating the Clean Water Act at construction sites in Bonner County.

The violations resulted in fines ranging from $9,000 to $14,000, according to the EPA. The violations were discovered during routine inspections in the Sandpoint area last fall.

The violations included failure to apply for coverage under the nationwide stormwater construction general permit and failure to use erosion and sediment controls necessary to prevent polluted runoff and protect water quality.

“We were surprised by the number of unpermitted operators and by the poor storm water management practices at these sites,” said Kim Ogle, manager of EPA’s Permit Compliance Unit in Seattle.

Ogle said the agency was particularly surprised by the violations given the number of years EPA has been doing outreach and enforcement in Idaho.

“The permit requirements and their importance to water quality are generally well-known,” said Ogle.

The violations were settled using EPA’s expedited settlement offer policy, a streamlined enforcement process with lower fines for first-time violators at sites where environmental harm had yet to be observed.

Cedars at Sandcreek and Earthworks Northwest were penalized $14,750 for lapses at the Cedars at Sand Creek housing project. Floyd McGhee and Normco were fined $13,000 for lapses at the first addition to Kootenai Heights housing project. Sandpoint Construction Co. was fined $9,000 for violations at the Maddy Lane Lots project.