Oct. 21, 2010
Huntington Has Surprise EPA Storm Water Inspection
Result: We’re at Their Mercy
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Huntington, WV (HNN) – Seven inspectors from the WV Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. E.P.A. audited the city’s compliance with the storm water “MS4” program. C.T. (“Kit”) Anderson, assistant director of public works, told a meeting of the Storm Water Committee, “Unfortunately, most of them answered we’re moving in the right direction , but we are six to seven years behind schedule.”
Councilman Jim Ritter asked about the inspections of other West Virginia cities.
“We’re the guinea pig; they are starting here,” said council storm water committee chairman Mark Bates. “We’re at their mercy. We could be looking at monetary fines.”
However, Anderson has recommended a proactive approach by addressing areas which the inspectors called to the city’s attention.
“We did not have anything on the books,” Anderson said relating to laws to curtail discharge violations.
He made the first proposal to cover illicit discharges of chemicals or items into the water or sewer. Ritter, for instance, spoke about an incident in Westmorland in which oil was drained onto the streets.
During committee discussion of the ordinance, which will have its first reading at the Monday night council meeting, assistant city attorney Lora Maynard explained that the maximum penalties a city can impose are a $500 fine and 30 days in jail.
Since the inspectors identified Huntington as an “illegal dumping problem city,” Anderson suggested an approach that contains an “education” element. For instance, folks who might not know how to properly dispose of used oil from their car should dispose of the dirty petroleum at an auto parts store. Other ordinances would address construction site runoff and post construction runoff.
Although discussion was heard about proportional increases for repeated offenses, Ms. Maynard said that the municipal judge has repeat offender data available to her.
The committee recommended the ordinance to council. “Let’s see what the full council says of the penalty,” Bates said.
The inspectors have asked that a map of “outfalls” be maintained and gaining precise knowledge of the existing storm sewer through GIS data. In addition, the city itself should serve as a “model” by not disposing of pollutants in the watershed.
Anderson speculated a draft report could come from the EPA in 60 to 90 days, but he emphasized the fluidity of the time frame.
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Huntington Has Surprise EPA Storm Water Inspection
Result: We’re at Their Mercy
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Huntington, WV (HNN) – Seven inspectors from the WV Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. E.P.A. audited the city’s compliance with the storm water “MS4” program. C.T. (“Kit”) Anderson, assistant director of public works, told a meeting of the Storm Water Committee, “Unfortunately, most of them answered we’re moving in the right direction , but we are six to seven years behind schedule.”
Councilman Jim Ritter asked about the inspections of other West Virginia cities.
“We’re the guinea pig; they are starting here,” said council storm water committee chairman Mark Bates. “We’re at their mercy. We could be looking at monetary fines.”
However, Anderson has recommended a proactive approach by addressing areas which the inspectors called to the city’s attention.
“We did not have anything on the books,” Anderson said relating to laws to curtail discharge violations.
He made the first proposal to cover illicit discharges of chemicals or items into the water or sewer. Ritter, for instance, spoke about an incident in Westmorland in which oil was drained onto the streets.
During committee discussion of the ordinance, which will have its first reading at the Monday night council meeting, assistant city attorney Lora Maynard explained that the maximum penalties a city can impose are a $500 fine and 30 days in jail.
Since the inspectors identified Huntington as an “illegal dumping problem city,” Anderson suggested an approach that contains an “education” element. For instance, folks who might not know how to properly dispose of used oil from their car should dispose of the dirty petroleum at an auto parts store. Other ordinances would address construction site runoff and post construction runoff.
Although discussion was heard about proportional increases for repeated offenses, Ms. Maynard said that the municipal judge has repeat offender data available to her.
The committee recommended the ordinance to council. “Let’s see what the full council says of the penalty,” Bates said.
The inspectors have asked that a map of “outfalls” be maintained and gaining precise knowledge of the existing storm sewer through GIS data. In addition, the city itself should serve as a “model” by not disposing of pollutants in the watershed.
Anderson speculated a draft report could come from the EPA in 60 to 90 days, but he emphasized the fluidity of the time frame.
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