THE EPA ESTIMATES THAT JUST 35% OF TODAY’S CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE 1972 CLEAN WATER ACT, AND ITS NPDES (NATIONAL POLLUTION DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM) PERMIT REQUIREMENTS. EXPENSIVE FINES, PENALTIES, WORK STOPPAGE, AND EVEN JAIL TIME ARE AT STAKE FOR THIS INDUSTRY. THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY COMPLAINS OF GETTING DIFFERENT INTERPRETATIONS AND GUIDANCE FROM REGULATORS, ENGINEERING FIRMS, LAWYERS, AND FELLOW CONSTRUCTION TRADE ASSOCIATIONS. IT IS CLEAR THAT THE RULES AND GUIDELINES THAT ACCOMPANY THE CLEAN WATER ACT AND ITS NPDES PERMIT CAN AT TIMES BE CONFUSING AND MISLEADING.

IN AN EFFORT TO HELP OUR CUSTOMERS BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE CURRENT LAWS AND REGULATIONS, ENVIRO-TECH HAWAII, INC. OFFERS A WIDE RAGE OF NPDES COMPLIANCE SERVICES. THE MOST POPULAR SERVICES ARE LISTED BELOW

• Creating Site-Specific Erosion Control Best Management Plans (BMPs)

According to the State and Federal Law, each construction site which has an NPDES Permit is required to prepare a Site-Specific Erosion Control Best Management Plan. The Purpose of a Site-Specific Erosion Control BMP Plan is two-fold. First, the plan outlines all of the Best Management Practices (BMPs) which are expected to be required on this Construction Site, complete with pertinent information on each BMP (selection criteria, descriptions, maintenance requirements, etc.). Second, it consolidates the information found in multiple documents (NPDES & NGPC for this Construction Site, Construction Specifications, Construction Drawings, Supplemental Documents, etc.) and establishes a single document which all participants and concerned parties on a particular Construction Site can reference. This is a simple and comprehensive plan which makes it easy for everyone involved with a Construction Site to be “on the same page”, and therefore ultimately decrease the potential for Clean Water Act and NPDES violations.

• Revisions of the Site-Specific Erosion Control Best Management Plans (BMPs)

The Site-Specific Erosion Control Best Management Plan is considered a living document and is subject to change. Should improvements, modifications, corrections, or other changes be required after this document is accepted and disseminated, Enviro-Tech Hawaii, Inc. can prepare a revised Site-Specific Erosion Control BMP Plan, of which will be forwarded to the Project Owner for review and acceptance. Once the Owner accepts the revised Site-Specific Erosion Control BMP Plan, it will be disseminated to all participants and concerned parties on the Construction Site.

• Construction Site Best Management Practices (BMP) Inspections

According to State and Federal Laws, the Best Management Practices (BMPs) installed on a job site must be maintained for the duration of the construction project, and can not be removed until permanent erosion control BMPs are installed. In order to maintain the effectiveness of the Erosion Control BMPs, it is imperative that regular monitoring and maintenance be performed. Failure to keep BMPs in proper working order will result in unacceptable soil losses and subsequent violations of the NPDES permit conditions.

Enviro-Tech Hawaii, Inc. offers Construction Site BMP Inspection Programs that are custom tailored to fit the needs of our Customers. In addition to providing Inspection Programs, Enviro-Tech Hawaii, Inc. can help our Customers effectively perform their own inspections by providing the necessary training and tools required to effectively conduct in-house inspections.

• Aerial Environmental Assessment and Consulting Services (AEACS)

Enviro-Tech Hawaii, Inc. is proud to be the first company in Hawaii to provide Aerial Environmental Assessment and Consulting Services (AEACS). This service uses aerial photographs to document the progress of construction projects and to aid in NPDES Permit compliance. AEACS has two phases, the Air Phase, and the Ground Phase, as described below:

The Air Phase is used to capture aerial photographs of the construction site and to get an “overall” perspective of the project. The major benefit of attaining an aerial perspective is that a site’s topography can be easily studied. From the air, “run-off” into neighboring properties, as well as “run-on” from neighboring properties, can be accurately observed and documented.

The Ground Phase is essentially a traditional Construction Site BMP Inspection Program that uses the aerial photographs gathered in the Air Phase to compliment the Final Site Inspection Report. The combination of aerial photos and ground photos allows Enviro-Tech Hawaii, Inc. to provide its Customers with a comprehensive and effective Site Inspection Report, of which can be used to ensure NPDES Compliance and evaluate overall effectiveness and efficiency of the existing erosion & sediment control program in place.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

This aerial view shows a highly unstable slope in the process of being stabilized with a Straw-Based Bonded Fiber Matrix (SBBFM) and CFG2000 Turf Reinforcement Mat (TRM).

This ground shot shows the successful stabilization of this extremely steep slope. The SBBFM and TRM have been installed properly and vegetative establishment period is near completion.

This aerial view shows a large stockpile which is not protected from rain and wind erosion. In addition, perimeter control BMPs are not installed around the stockpile site.

After reviewing the AEACS Report, the General Contractor installed Straw Wattles for Perimeter Protection and Hydro-Mulched the stockpiled soil to protect against rain and wind erosion.