New environmental rules are aimed at keeping pollution from waterways

Monday, Nov. 25, 2002 | 11:22 a.m.

The state Division of Environmental Protection is preparing local contractors for strict new federal pollution rules that will require any building site of one acre or more to have a plan to keep pollution from being dumped into waterways.

The rules, which go into effect in March, update 1990 regulations that require state permits for construction on five acres or less.

They are designed to stem the flow of construction debris, chemicals and fuels from small construction sites into waterways that provide drinking water, Daryl Rasner, branch supervisor of the state's Water Pollution Control Division, said.

All runoff in the Las Vegas Valley is channeled through the Las Vegas Wash to Lake Mead, which provides 90 percent of Southern Nevada's drinking water.

"The new rule prevents flood water from dumping loose, possibly contaminated, dirt from lots under development," Rasner said, adding that contractors -- not lot owners -- are responsible for obtaining permits. Fines for violating the rule can reach $27,500 per day, he said.

Developers and builders must have the permit in hand 48 hours before breaking ground, state officials said.

The state will be able to waive a permit if there is little or no rainfall expected during a construction period or if a site analysis indicates that no controls are necessary to protect water quality.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has already provided about $200,000 for the state to hire two inspectors and to begin informing developers statewide, Rasner said.

So far, 2,000 contractors have attended a one-hour class that explains the rule.

"Most of the major developers have sent representatives to the classes and they say the rule makes sense," Rasner said.

"It's going to affect a lot of people," said Bruce Cunningham, an environmental test laboratory scientist who set up an educational luncheon for the local Air and Waste Management Association.

A recent presentation to association members last week drew more than 70 attendees, rather than the 25 who normally attend, he said.

Cities, Clark County and their road departments also have to follow the rule, Rasner said.

The city of Las Vegas and the county have applied for permits, but the state has not issued any yet.

Developer Del Webb isn't waiting for March to begin training its workforce, spokeswoman Allison Copening said.

"We've obtained the permit that authorizes personnel from our company to maintain the necessary paperwork and monitor the construction sites to ensure we are complying with regulation," Copening said.

Del Webb currently uses bales of hay to keep disturbed soil from moving off a site, she said, but other measures will be in place to meet the new rule.

The barriers work to prevent paint washed away from construction sites, concrete truck debris and stucco from running into local washes, Copening said.

Silt fences and sandbags are also popular in some areas of the valley, said Kevin Eubanks of the Clark County Regional Flood Control District.