The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in January reached a settlement with Gil Haugan Construction, Inc. and a retirement home for violations of the Clean Water Act?EUR??,,????'?????<

Like all contractors, federal law requires landscape contractors to implement an erosion control plan for any project bigger than an acre.

Gil Haugan Construction, Inc. was the general contractor for the assisted living facility in building a new senior living center in Brandon, S.D. The companies were cited for failure to obtain storm water permit coverage for construction and failure to follow the provisions of the storm water permit once one was obtained. The storm water permit requires that specific environmental management practices are followed, such as installing and maintaining Best Management Practices to control pollutants in storm water discharges. The Bethany Meadows construction site discharged to a tributary of the Big Sioux River. Construction on the project is now complete.

The storm water regulations, in effect since 1990, were created to protect water quality from storm water runoff. Storm water runoff can carry pollutants, such as fertilizers, pesticides, fecal matter, oil and grease, trash and sediment, from construction sites. Without proper management, these pollutants can enter nearby waters and adversely affect animal and plant life.

Developers, contractors and other land owners who plan to conduct construction activities disturbing one acre or greater of land should contact the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources (SDDENR) to obtain storm water permit coverage. SDDENR can be reached at 800-737-8676.

Information on storm water requirements in the state of South Dakota may also be found online at: https://www.state.sd.us/denr/DES/Surfacewater/stormwater.htm