Newletters, helpful advice and other pearls of wisdom from Earthworks' staff.
The federal EPA is currently in the process of renewing their Construction General Permit (CGP), with the intent of adopting the revised CGP some time in 2022. The proposed CGP clarifies the difference between routine maintenance and corrective actions at the federal level. The EPA is defining a maintenance item as a repair that can be completed within 24 hours. Furthermore, they have added verbiage stating that the same routine maintenance is to be elevated to a corrective action where it i...
by Matthew Trygg - Lead Compliance Manager, Illinois // 2021-11-15
Read MoreMany states are lifting covid restrictions and opening businesses to a more “normal” operating procedure. This has affected the regulatory agencies as well. For many months, ADEQ (Arizona Department of Environmental Quality) has conducted virtual stormwater inspections via phone or tablet video conferencing. They have returned to the in-person inspections we are accustomed to. These inspections can greatly differ in scope depending on the inspector. Below are typical items that inspectors...
by Joe Felts - Lead Compliance Manager, Arizona West // 2021-11-15
Read MoreHurricane season in Texas generally runs from June 1st to November 30th, with the potential to bring heavy rain and high wind gusts to areas along the gulf coast. Texas recently experienced a tropical storm that brought wind gusts of 78 mph and 14 inches of rainfall. These excessive amounts of rain and wind can have significant impacts on stormwater management systems. Strategic and timely execution of Best Management Practices (BMP) for stormwater management systems is critical before a majo...
by Travis Jendel - Lead Compliance Manager, Florida // 2021-11-15
Read MoreIndiana governmental administrators signed SEA 389, an anti-wetlands bill, into law in late April of 2021, unbeknownst to many state residents. Throughout the lobbying process, amendments were implemented that significantly altered the trajectory of the Senate version of SB 389. Despite the efforts of Indiana’s most influential conservational organizations, the bill remained on path towards the governor’s desk with legislative intent to drastically reduce wetland protection. The final vers...
by John Summerlin - Lead Compliance Manager, Indiana & Kentucky // 2021-11-15
Read MoreNew Jersey is a great place to enjoy the outdoors. There are many different lakes, rivers, beaches and wooded areas for all to enjoy. If proper protections are not taken thee great resources will lose their luster. One common outdoor resource are the many wetlands that dot the state map. The state of New Jersey has identified the following benefits provided by wetlands: Wetlands protect drinking water by filtering out chemicals, pollutants, and sediments that would otherwise clog and co...
by Jason Raab - Lead Compliance Manager, Atlantic Region // 2021-09-08
Read MoreSediment pollution is the most impactful source of pollution effecting United States waters. Of all sediment pollution, approximately 30 percent is caused by natural erosion. The remaining 70 percent is caused by human activity, mainly from construction sites. Sediment pollution has negative impacts that effect aquatic plant and animal life. Because of this, many trout streams are severely impacted from sediment pollution each year. One way in which sediment pollution impacts trout stream...
by Brian Hartman - Lead Compliance Manager, Minnesota // 2021-09-08
Read MoreThe Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) is in the process of modifying the existing Arizona Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (AZPDES) General Permits (GPs). ADEQ is trying to simplify the implementation of the new Arizona Surface Water Protection Program (SWPP) by extending coverage to the state-listed waters within their GPs. Included in their modification are the Construction General Permit (CGP), Multisector General Permit (MSGP), Mining Multi Sector General Permit...
by Martin CervantesDelgado - Lead Compliance Manager, Arizona East // 2021-09-08
Read MoreUnderstanding the soils composition found within your project boundary is an important feature when planning your erosion and sediment control needs. The Natural Resource Conservation Service classifies soils by the Hydrologic Soil Group (HSG) and it represents the soils runoff potential, texture, and physical nature for each of the four respective groups. The four groups represented in the HSG are A, B, C, and D. The HGS characterizes the rate that water infiltrates into and moves throu...
by Blake Curran - Lead Compliance Manager, Colorado // 2021-09-08
Read MoreThe Coronavirus Outbreak has affected many of the nation’s workplace environments and has limited employee in person interaction in most industries. Earthworks has noticed enforcement agencies across the county adapting to this in several ways. One agency that has made considerable adjustments to their practices in ADEQ (Arizona Department of Environmental Quality). ADEQ has begun to conduct remote inspections to replace the onsite compliance visits. This consists of a notification to the per...
by Brooks Morse, Lead Compliance Manager—Arizona West // 2021-04-07
Read MoreIn the month of February 2021, the State of Texas experienced record-breaking low temperatures, including snow and ice. This winter storm left over 3.5 million Texans without power, victims of flooding and/or without water. The City of Dallas recorded its lowest temperature since 1930 at -2° Fahrenheit, which was the city’s 2nd lowest temperature on record. On February 12, 2021, Texas Governor, Greg Abbott, declared a state of emergency for all 254 counties. President Biden subsequently dec...
by Travis Jendel, Lead Compliance Manager—Texas // 2021-04-07
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