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House Bill Strikes a Balance on Storm Water Rules
Legislation introduced on June 8 by Rep. John Duncan (R-Tenn.) and 18 bipartisan cosponsors would update and improve Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) storm water permit and enforcement policies that have needlessly harmed housing affordability, according to NAHB.
“Current storm water permitting requirements and regulations are duplicative and burdensome, adding anywhere from $1,400 to $4,500 to the cost of every lot,” said NAHB President David Pressly. “The legislation takes into account the differences between residential construction activity and other industries. By taking a more balanced and reasonable approach to storm water management and enforcement, the measure would streamline the permit process, improve compliance and enhance environmental protection.”
H.R. 5558, the “Stormwater Enforcement and Permitting Act,” contains a number of provisions that would protect the environment without needlessly driving up housing costs. The bill would:
- Develop a program to increase awareness among residential construction site operators of their regulatory requirements
- Create a fair and reasonable process by which the EPA can seek information from residential construction site operators
- Allow builders a one-time chance to correct permit deficiencies that don’t cause environmental harm
- Remove duplicative permit obligations where residential construction site operators discharge into municipal storm sewer systems that are already permitted and regulated
- Allow authorized states to assume the lead enforcement role
- Provide statutory authorization for EPA’s current practice of issuing general permits
At a time when housing affordability is becoming a national issue, and duplicative and burdensome storm water regulations are pushing up the cost of housing and pricing a growing number of families out of the market for homeownership, the time has come to update and improve these requirements, Pressly said. A more consistent and sensible regulatory approach would better protect America’s rivers and streams without unduly increasing housing costs, he added.
“Home builders are committed to protecting the environment and enhancing the communities in which they build and live,” said Pressly. “H.R. 5558 would successfully eliminate duplicative storm water requirements and improve environmental protection while increasing housing affordability.”
To read the legislation, click here and enter H.R. 5558 in the box at the center of the page.
For more information, e-mail Michael Strauss at NAHB, or call him at 800-368-5242 x8252.
 ‘Storm Water Permitting: A Guide for Builders and Developers’ Available at BuilderBooks.com
“Storm Water Permitting: A Guide for Builders and Developers,” available through BuilderBooks.com, provides a starting point for builders and developers to use in locating and understanding storm water permitting requirements. To view or purchase this publication online, click here, or call 800-223-2665.
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