Tag: Legal Editor

The golden rules for construction stormwater management

Sediment is usually the main pollutant of concern; according to the EPA, sediment runoff rates from construction sites are typically 10 to 20 times greater than the rates from agricultural lands, and 1,000 to 2,000 times greater than those of forest lands. In fact, during a short period of time, construction sites can contribute more […]

Most Common RCRA Hazwaste Violations Concern Containers

  Failure to keep containers closed.  Inspectors often observe hazardous waste drums that have been left open during the entire work shift, or drums with open funnels. Failure to mark the accumulation start date on the container.  Generators accumulating hazardous waste on-site without a permit must be sure to clearly mark the date on which […]

What’s new in LID and green infrastructure for stormwater management

First, what is LID? It is a stormwater management approach that, unlike conventional stormwater management which focuses on piping stormwater away from a site to large centralized stormwater treatment areas, concentrates on controlling stormwater by using small, decentralized methods to treat stormwater close to the source. LID practices are innovative practices that manage stormwater close […]

Mosquito control and stormwater management

Location and site design. Stormwater management structures should be located and designed to minimize mosquito-breeding potential. First, sites should be designed to preserve natural drainage and natural treatment systems using low impact development (LID) principles to reduce the need for manmade stormwater control structures. Second, permanent pool ponds should be designed to minimize shallow depths […]

Shutdown of the SSM exemption

What is a SIP and why is it important in this case? A state implementation plan (SIP) is a plan prepared by each state detailing how the state will attain and maintain compliance with each NAAQS.  SIPs contain enforceable emissions limits needed to comply with the CAA and prohibit emissions that would cause or contribute […]

EPA’s Proposed UST Rules – Secondary Containment

What is EPA proposing? Currently EPA requires secondary containment and interstitial monitoring for hazardous substance tanks only. EPA is proposing UST owners and operators install secondary containment and interstitial monitoring for new and replaced tanks and piping installed after the effective date of the final UST regulation. The secondary containment must be able to contain […]

RCRA Inspections

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Section 3007, authorizes a representative of the U.S. EPA or a RCRA authorized state to enter any premises where hazardous waste is handled to examine records and take samples of the wastes. Similarly, the Department of Transportation (DOT) may participate where hazardous waste transporters are involved.  All treatment, […]

Maintaining Industrial Stormwater No Exposure Conditions

The intent of the No Exposure Exclusion is to provide industrial facilities regulated under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination (NPDES) program, whose industrial activities and materials are completely sheltered, with a simplified method for complying with the Clean Water Act. Facilities that qualify for the No Exposure Exclusion are not required to be covered by […]