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Green Lane Properties settles pollution violations at Bucks County construction site

Release Date: 11/1/2005
Contact Information: Roy Seneca (215) 814-5567

Contact: Roy Seneca (215) 814-5567
PHILADELPHIA – The owners and operators of the Bristol Commerce Center have settled alleged Clean Water Act violations that occurred during construction work in 2004 at the center, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today. The center is a commercial development at 2201 Green Lane, Bristol Township, Bucks Co., Pa.

In a consent agreement with EPA, Green Lane Properties LLC and company manager James Herring have agreed to pay a $15,000 penalty for failing to take required measures to reduce polluted storm water runoff from construction work on the site.

Uncontrolled storm water runoff from construction sites often contains sediment, suspended solids, oxygen-demanding compounds and other pollutants. Under the Clean Water Act, operators of construction activities must obtain a permit from EPA or the state environmental agency before discharging storm water runoff into waterways. These permits include requirements for erosion and sediment controls and precautionary “best management practices” such as spill prevention safeguards, material storage, and employee training.

According to EPA, from April to Sept. 9, 2004, Green Lane Properties conducted land-clearing and related activities at the site without coverage of a state-issued storm water permit. On Sept. 9, 2004, the cited parties received permit approval, including an approved erosion and sedimentation control plan, from the Bucks County Conservation District.

An EPA inspection of the construction site on Jun. 9, 2005 revealed that Green Lane had failed to fully implement required measures in the erosion and sedimentation plan, such as installation of a silt fence and soil stabilization.

The settlement reflects the cited parties’ cooperation with EPA. As part of the settlement, the parties have neither admitted nor denied liability for the alleged violations. For more information about EPA’s storm water program, visit https://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/const.cfm .

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