A new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposal that will likely have a substantial financial impact on many home builders and developers is the subject of a special meeting next week at the International Builders’ Show.

On Nov. 28, the EPA published new Effluent Limitation Guidelines for the construction and development industry. Comments are due to the agency by Feb. 26.

EPA has requested comment on three options:

• Option 1 relies primarily on existing techniques, including erosion and sediment control requirements (i.e., best management practices), and mandates the use of sediment basins for certain sites.
  
  
• Option 2 imposes all of the requirements of Option 1, plus a numeric turbidity limit for sites consisting of more than 30 acres that have high rainfall and high clay content.
   
  
• Option 3 expands the requirements of Option 2 to all construction sites that include 10 or more disturbed acres at one time — the most broadly ranging and expensive of the EPA options.

The NAHB Environmental Issues Research and Education Subcommittee of the Environmental Issues Committee will meet at 1:30 p.m. on Jan 18 in Room North 102, Level One of the Las Vegas Convention Center to discuss the ELG proposal and NAHB’s comments. The meeting is open to all NAHB members.

Read the full article in NBN.

For additional information, e-mail Ty Asfaw, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8124. [Return to top]