State and Local Reporter - 01/05/2009 (Plain Text Version)

Bob Frost, Chair
Blue Springs, Missouri

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In this issue:
United States EPA Proposes First National Effluent Discharge Limits
Fix Housing First Coalition Fly-In on Jan 7
Federal Leaders Path to Power Starts in the States
Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Hosts Carbon Auction
Government Affairs Recognition Awards Applications Due Jan. 15
State Legislatures Top Issue in 2009: State Budgets
National Survey Reveals Escalating Budget Crisis for States
Column Service Articles for January Now Available

United States EPA Proposes First National Effluent Discharge Limits

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed the first national effluent discharge limit guidelines (ELG’s) for storm water runoff from construction sites.

The proposal calls for builders to meet EPA’s technology-based “floor” on construction sites by installing and maintaining a range of erosion and sediment controls that, according to EPA are “generally recognized and accepted as effective” best management practices (BMP’s).

Construction sites disturbing 10 or more acres of land at a time would also need to install sediment basins to treat their storm water discharges, according to the ELG guidelines.

Additionally, a strict numeric limit on the allowable level of turbidity — the measure of the degree to which water loses its transparency due to the presence of particulates — would apply to sites of 30 acres or more that are located in rain areas where the soil has high clay content.

The new EPA proposal could significantly impact the construction and development industry.

NAHB Developing Technical, Legal, Economic Comments

EPA needs to hear from you and your members on the importance of retaining a storm water program that is flexible, cost efficient, understandable, and workable on the ground.

The 90-day comment period for this proposed rule ends on Thursday, Feb. 26

NAHB is developing technical, legal and economic comments on EPA’s ELG proposal and will offer an update on the ELG’s at the Environmental Research and Education Subcommittee meeting at IBS in Las Vegas on Sunday, Jan. 18 (Las Vegas Convention Center, North 102, Level One) from 1:30-4:00 p.m..

To view the ELG proposal, visit www.epa.gov/waterscience/guide/construction. To submit comments, click here for instructions in the Federal Register.

For more information on this proposal, e-mail Ty Asfaw at easfaw@nahb.com, or call her at 800-268-5242 x8124.