7/14/2011
Transportation department's measures to keep waterways clean satisfy EPA
BOISE – The Idaho Transportation Department has implemented measures to keep the state’s waterways clean and will no longer be annually monitored by the Environmental Protection Agency.
The two agencies agreed to an annual audit in June 2006 after construction of U.S. 95 south of Coeur d’Alene.
“We share the EPA’s commitment to preserving the quality of our waterways,” said ITD Deputy Director Scott Stokes. “As good stewards of the environment, we want to do everything possible during construction to protect Idaho’s natural resources.”
In the last five years under an agreement between the two agencies, additional environmental measures for construction, training, inspecting and reporting were implemented by ITD.
Among the changes were:
- Implementing winter shutdown requirements for contractors
- Developing a training program for inspectors, resident engineers, designers and contractors
- Strengthening requirements for contractor compliance
- Increasing monitoring and reporting procedures
- Utilizing third-party inspections of projects in environmentally sensitive areas
- Submitting an annual report to the EPA
“The settlement was related to administrative deficiencies, and none were directly related to discharges into Idaho’s waterways,” Stokes emphasized. Many of the non-compliance issues resulted from contractor or third-party actions, he explained
ITD and the EPA negotiated an administrative settlement of $744,000 to resolve all issues dating to back 2006.
“We expect to continue improving those processes as part of our commitment to accountability and transparency. I am pleased this process is concluded,” Stokes said.