EPA proposes fines against Anchorage Alaska Developer for Clean Water
Act Violations

(Anchorage, Alaska – Dec. 18, 2007) The U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) has commenced an administrative penalty
action against Anthony Lerma for violations of the federal Clean
Water Act (CWA). The violations occurred at Lerma’s construction site
located at 5151 Lake Otis and East 52nd Avenue in Anchorage, Alaska.
Under the CWA, EPA may assess administrative civil penalties within a
range up to $157,500.

EPA alleges that Lerma violated the National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System (NPDES), Storm Water Construction General Permit
(CGP). CGP authorization is required for discharges of storm water
from any construction site with at least one acre of disturbed land.
Violations included:

· failure to prepare and implement an adequate Storm Water
Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP);
· failure to have adequate storm water control measures;
· failure to conduct inspections; and
· failure to properly implement stabilization measures.

“Storm water runoff from construction sites can significantly harm
water quality,” said Marcia Combes, Alaska Operations Office Director
for EPA. “Managing storm water responsibly at construction sites
should be a key part of every developer’s site plan.”

The receiving water for the storm water discharges from the Site is
Campbell Creek. Campbell Creek is a tributary of Campbell Lake.
Campbell Creek and Campbell Lake are “navigable waters” and are
waters of the United States.

The NPDES permit program, established under the CWA, controls water
pollution by regulating sources that discharge pollutants to waters
in the United States.

For more about EPA’s storm water discharge permitting program, visit:
http://cfpub1.epa.gov/npdes/home.cfm?program_id=6

Comments Sought: Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program Draft Procedures

Contacts: (Media only) Dale Kemery, (202) 564-4355 / kemery.dale@epa.gov
(Other inquries) William (Bill) Wooge, (202) 564-8476 / wooge.william@epa.gov

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is calling for comments about draft policies and procedures for the initial screening of pesticide chemicals under the agency’s Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP). The comments should focus on the specific policies and related procedures that EPA will follow to impose data requirements, minimize duplicate testing, promote equitable cost-sharing, and protect confidential business information.

The EDSP was established in response to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, which requires EPA to develop a screening program to identify pesticide chemicals that may have effects on the endocrine system. This provision was enacted in response to growing scientific evidence that humans, domestic animals, and fish and wildlife species have exhibited adverse health consequences from exposure to environmental chemicals that interact with their endocrine systems.

EPA will require the use of validated assays to screen pesticides, commercial chemicals, and environmental contaminants in relation to estrogen, androgen, and thyroid hormones.

EPA will also be holding a public meeting to discuss the draft policies and procedures on Monday, Dec. 17, 2007 at its Crystal City facility in Arlington, Va.

For more information: http://www.epa.gov/scipoly/oscpendo/pubs/regaspects/index.htm

For a report on the United Nations Law of the Sea convention, link here.

For in-depth publications, link here.