AGC Explains What You Need to Know Today about Federal Jurisdiction over WOTUS

AGC Supports Online Lead Paint Training The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized an AGC-supported rule that will allow contractors who are subject to EPA’s current Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) rule to complete the required “renovator” re-certification process via distance/online learning, rather than traveling to a more expensive in-seat program.

May Force Cities to Further Restrict Runoff from Construction and Development The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is accepting public comments until March 21 on proposed changes to its general permit program for operators of municipal separate stormwater sewer systems (MS4s), which will ensure that cities are reducing pollutants in their runoff to the “maximum extent practicable” (MEP). The proposed rule addresses how small MS4s seek and incorporate public comment and agency reviews into their permits. The proposal would significantly change how cities obtain Clean Water Act (CWA) authorization to discharge stormwater from their systems and may force cities to further limit runoff from active construction sites and developed properties.

May Force Cities to Further Restrict Runoff from Construction and Development The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is accepting public comments until March 21 on proposed changes to its general permit program for operators of municipal separate stormwater sewer systems (MS4s), which will ensure that cities are reducing pollutants in their runoff to the “maximum extent practicable” (MEP). The proposed rule addresses how small MS4s seek and incorporate public comment and agency reviews into their permits. The proposal would significantly change how cities obtain Clean Water Act (CWA) authorization to discharge stormwater from their systems and may force cities to further limit runoff from active construction sites and developed properties.

The House voted to halt the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Environmental Protection Agency’s 'Waters of the US’ rulemaking redefining jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act and prevent the administration from issuing a substantially similar regulation. This vote follows the Senate’s approval of the same resolution in November. The measure now heads to the president’s desk, where it is expected to be vetoed. Unfortunately, it is unlikely either the House or Senate will have the votes needed to override the president’s veto. AGC will continue to work with Congress and its industry allies to find a workable legislative solution to this rulemaking.

The nonpartisan Government Accountability Office (GAO), in response to a request from the top Republican on the Senate Environment Committee, concluded that several aspects of the social media and grassroots campaign undertaken by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) around the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rulemaking violated provisions of the laws designed to protect against undue agency influence on the rulemaking process.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently released a new tool to assist small residential lot builders in developing their required stormwater pollution prevention plans, or SWPPP documents. The Small Residential Lot SWPPP Template is an optional tool designed to streamline SWPPP development and is fully compliant with the SWPPP requirements in EPA’s Construction General Permit (CGP). EPA has invited states to modify the agency’s new template, as needed, for use with their state CGPs.

As just announced by AGC via its 2016 Environmental Rules Watch List, the construction industry can expect to see a wide range of regulatory action in the coming year, spanning the air, water and waste program areas. AGC works with federal agency staff during the rulemaking process to ensure that the construction industry’s voice is heard – analyzing and expressing the industry’s views on federal proposals to enact or modify laws that regulate contractors. AGC created a handout to help you track the development of environmental rules throughout 2016 and even weigh in on issues that are important to you and your business.

Join Us in Denver on April 20, 2016 Are you an environmental professional working in-house at a construction firm? AGC has organized a day of roundtable discussions specifically for you and your peers. Join us in Denver, CO on April 20, 2016, for a day of information sharing and collaboration. Seating is very limited for this meeting; please don’t wait to act on this exclusive opportunity. Click here to register (construction firms only, please).

Join us on Capitol Hill, Washington, DC in October 2016 AGC will hold its fifth Contractors Environmental Conference (CEC) on October 5-6, 2016, at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. The CEC is a yearly management, leadership and technology-focused conference that zeros in on the most critical environmental issues impacting today’s construction professionals. Past attendees agree that this one-of-a-kind program provides contractors with the information and resources to meet environmental requirements, sustainability initiatives, and remain competitive in the marketplace. Presentation proposals are being accepted online at www.agc.org/enviroCFP through March 1st.