Dateline - Gatlinburg, TN - April 19, 2007

Several of us are attending the annual TDEC Solid and Hazardous Waste Conference. For those of you in Tennessee, I wanted to pass along one of the hot topics this year - Construction Storm Water. The conference started on the heels of news that TDEC has just issued of $4 Million in fines levied through Administrative Orders to contractors and owners who have failed to get the appropriate storm water permits and have failed to implement the necessary BMPs (Best Management Practices) for storm water. Some instances have also included disturbances to Waters of the State and improper (lack of) permitting.

This issue (construction storm water) was discussed in the Opening Session as well as a break out technical session by TDEC Deputy Commissioner Paul Sloan and Deputy Attorney General Barry Turner. Deputy AG Turner stated that the AG’s office has an on-going Civil Enforcement Initiative. They have issued over 200 expedited orders in recent months in addition to the $4 Million in fines levied through Administrative Orders recently. In short, the State means business when it comes to construction storm water.

For more information about Construction Storm Water in Tennessee, go here. Storm water issues, much like air quality issues, are going going to get more stringent in the future. A little planning goes a long way with this issue. Plan accordingly.