AGC: Fill out EPA form, or face ‘steep penalties’

ACROSS MISSISSIPPI — Associated General Contractors (AGC) has received reports that its members have received a letter from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) directing them to complete a mandatory survey on construction stormwater management practices within 60 days – or face significant fines and penalties of up to $37,500 per day per violation.

While EPA claims to have not directed this survey to general contractors, several have received it. The AGC said anyone receiving a survey needs to have it completed and returned before the 60-day deadline to avoid steep penalties.

However, most contractors need not continue beyond A5, or the first page of the survey. Unless a contractor has an ownership interest in the properties it builds on, it is unnecessary to complete the detailed financial and technical portions of the survey.

EPA has initiated a national rulemaking to reduce stormwater discharges from new development and redevelopment and to strengthen its stormwater program (a.k.a., post-construction stormwater rule). To collect information from entities believed to be owners/developers of residential, non-residential, industrial and commercial sites, EPA mailed out letters last week to approximately 3,000 companies directing them to complete a “lengthy, mandatory” questionnaire within 60 days.