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Hanson, Mass. Developer Faces Fines for Clean Water Violations

Release Date: 05/07/2008
Contact Information: Paula Ballentine, (617) 918-1027

(Boston, Mass. – May 7, 2008) - A residential developer and a construction company in Hanson, Mass. face a penalty of up to $157,500 for alleged storm water discharges from a construction site.

Dunham Farm Condominium is an eleven-acre residential development owned by Dunham Farm, LLC and run by contractor Callahan, Inc. On March 27, 2007, an EPA inspector discovered that these parties violated the NPDES General Permit for Storm Water Discharges from Construction Activities, issued to the companies under the Clean Water Act.

Specifically, Dunham Farm, LLC and Callahan, Inc. failed to document routine facility inspections at the development site and failed to properly implement and maintain “best management” practices, which include erosion and sediment controls, such as drainage basins, silt barriers, and berms, at the site.

Consequently, during storm events that occurred in the summer of 2006, storm water laden with sediment flowed from the development site into a bordering vegetated wetland. A stream forms in this wetland that ultimately reaches the Taunton River and flows into the Atlantic Ocean.

"Storm water controls are very important in protecting New England's waters, especially among builders and developers whose construction activities can have significant environmental impacts if done improperly," said Robert W. Varney, regional administrator of EPA's New England Office.

EPA is working hard to bring developers and builders into compliance with storm water runoff regulations. The effort includes extensive compliance assistance activities, including workshops and training materials, as well as an enforcement sweep. EPA is developing written materials, web sites, workshops, and other products to help those involved in construction projects understand how to comply with storm water laws.

More Information:
Storm Water Permits http://epa.gov/region1/npdes/stormwater/
Clean Water Enforcement in New England http://epa.gov/region1/enforcement/water/
Storm water issues in New England https://www.epa.gov/region1/topics/water/stormwater.html