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EPA Issues Rule to Reduce Water Pollution from Construction Sites
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EPA Issues Rule to Reduce Water Pollution from Construction Sites

EPA announced on November 23, 2009, that it was tightening the standards for sediment. Despite a successful lawsuit by Waterkeeper Alliance requiring the EPA to require numeric limits, we felt it might take many years for the states to actually require it because EPA was dragging its feet. It still might, but this push from the EPA might encourage this sooner rather than later. We are interested in legislation in sediment legislation for 2010 and this could possibly help us push for new legislation. Effluent limits might not be possible through legislation but getting better ground cover requirements and other measures to control runoff that gets us closer to accomplishing sediment reductions effluent limits hope to achieve in the long run. Sediment pollution is the number one water pollution problem in North Carolina.

EPA Issues Rule to Reduce Water Pollution from Construction Sites

Preston Place in Lowell, NC - Note clear water on right.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 23, 2009

EPA Issues Rule to Reduce Water Pollution from Construction Sites

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today issued a final rule to help reduce water pollution from construction sites. The agency believes this rule, which takes effect in February 2010 and will be phased in over four years, will significantly improve the quality of water nationwide.

Construction activities like clearing, excavating and grading significantly disturb soil and sediment. If that soil is not managed properly it can easily be washed off of the construction site during storms and pollute nearby water bodies.

The final rule requires construction site owners and operators that disturb one or more acres to use best management practices to ensure that soil disturbed during construction activity does not pollute nearby water bodies.

In addition, owners and operators of sites that impact 10 or more acres of land at one time will be required to monitor discharges and ensure they comply with specific limits on discharges to minimize the impact on nearby water bodies. This is the first time that EPA has imposed national monitoring requirements and enforceable numeric limitations on construction site stormwater discharges.

Soil and sediment runoff is one of the leading causes of water quality problems nationwide. Soil runoff from construction has also reduced the depth of small streams, lakes and reservoirs, leading to the need for dredging.

More information: http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/guide/construction

 

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The Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation is a proud member of EarthShare North Carolina, River Network, the North Carolina Conservation Network, and the Waterkeeper Alliance.  EarthShare North Carolina makes it possible for employees to support the environment through workplace giving programs.  River Network’s mission is to empower and unite people and communities to protect and restore rivers and other waters that sustain the health of our country.  The NC Conservation Network supports, trains and coordinates diverse groups and directly advocates to achieve equitable and sustainable solutions for our environment.  The Waterkeeper Alliance is a worldwide network of advocates for protection of our water resources.  For more information about these organizations or to inquire about enrolling your employer in EarthShare NC, please contact CRF@catawbariverkeeper.org.

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Fish advisories have been issued throughout the Catawba-Wateree River basin for various types of fish.  Many of these fish advisories are the result of testing initiated by Catawba Riverkeeper and confirmed by state and local officials.  For a chart identifying fish types with the applicable adisories for the Charlotte area, click here.   For more information about the fish advisories, click here.

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Help protect your River! 

Tell your Riverkeeper if you see:

  • Sewage Overflows
  • Failure to control sediment from construction sites
  • Illegal clearing of buffer areas
  • Fish kills 
  • Invasive aquatic species
  • Exceeding Pollution Limits
  • Discharges exceeding allowable limits
  • Unpermitted discharges
  • Other issues that concern you

Click here to fill out a pollution report or to report a spill to Catawba Riverkeeper by phone, call 1-888-679-9494 or 704-679-9494.  In addition, to informing your Riverkeeper, you should also report spills or contamination to federal, state and local environmental officials.

To report South Carolina spills or fish kills call 1-888-481-0125.

To report North Carolins spills or fish kills, call 1-800-662-7956.

To report spills and releases to federal authorities (EPA and Coast Guard), call 1-800-424-8802.

 

 

How to contact your NC Legislator

Sometimes you just can't get the action that is needed to protect our water without contacting your legislator.  To find out who represents you in the North Carolina legislature and how to contact them, click here.

 
421 Minuet Ln Ste 205 . Charlotte, NC 28217-2784 . Phone: 704.679.9494 . Fax: 704.679.9559