NAHB Staff Helping HBAs With Storm Water Proposals

As the deadline looms for state and local governments to implement their storm water programs, home builders associations continue to seek help from NAHB environmental regulatory staff members to make sure that the proposals make sense and are affordable.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has set March 2008 as the deadline for the programs to be fully up and running under Section 402 of the Clean Water Act. The rules are slowly being unveiled jurisdiction by jurisdiction. So far, fewer than half of those expected have been released.

State and local regulators invite comments when they propose their new rules, but the complexity of the issues involved can make reviewing a proposal a daunting task. In 2006, NAHB responded to requests from HBAs in 17 states. This year, a steady stream of new proposals is expected as March approaches.

Meanwhile, states are also renewing their construction general permits, with 10 due to expire by the end of the year.

When they receive a request from the HBA, NAHB staff members review and analyze the ordinance in question to determine its effect on the home building industry and how it conforms to national standards and trends, and they then develop arguments, supporting data and recommended changes.

Recently, staff members:

• Reviewed a series of storm water ordinances from several localities, including a post-construction ordinance review for the Indiana Builders Association
  
  
• Reviewed the state’s amended construction general permit for the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Northern Vermont

Right now, NAHB is working on a new toolkit to help HBAs wade through the complexities of stormwater permitting and compliance. The toolkit will be available in February 2008.

For more information, e-mail Calli Schmidt at NAHB, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8132.

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