How goes Clean Water Act enforcement in your neck of the woods?

We're hearing a lot about the need increased enforcement of the Clean Water Act and U.S. EPA statements about commitments to do just that these days. But how is that rhetoric trickling down to the Intermountain West?

We can't claim to have documented any extensive trends or patterns , but a few recent examples have surfaced that show some enforcement activity. For example, in this U.S. EPA press release we can read about EPA stepping in on an unpermitted construction stormwater discharge in Idaho. The press release says:

Developers conducting work in Idaho are facing $125,000 in proposed penalties for violating the federal Clean Water Act at a construction site in Smiths Ferry, Idaho, according to a complaint issued by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Sal Gallucci, JJS Southwest LLC and Whitehawk Land Development Corporation failed to apply for a construction general permit prior to building and improving roads at the Whitehawk Subdivision from 2005-2009, according to the EPA complaint.

And an article from the Idaho Statesman from earlier in October described U.S. EPA's enforcement action against the Idaho DOT and a contractor.

The Environmental Protection Agency wants Idaho Transportation Department and Parsons RCI to pay a $65,000 penalty for Clean Water Act violations regarding the U.S. 95 Sand Creek Byway construction project in Sandpoint.

Of course, two articles don't in any way document a trend. But it was enough to get me thinking: what do you see happening (or not happening) with enforcement in your state? Is action on the ground starting to track the talk in Washington DC? Please use the comment function to share news of what's happening in your area, or send any news my way at mfrey@rivernetwork.org.

Special thanks to Larry Zuckerman for sharing the Idaho Statesmen article above.