Environment « Arizona Chapter Associated General Contractors

Environment

AZAGC is committed to keeping members informed of new regulations, changes in current policies, and standards & rules, including air quality and storm water developments. As these arise, we will tell you what it means to your company and the region.

Current topics

MAG Issues Video on Dust Control – Do you know your IQ?

Posted January 4, 2011 – The Maricopa Association of Governments has created this public relations video outlining the problems the region faces with dust control. The video contains anecdotes and interviews with city officials responding to our unique problem.

Maricopa County Air Quality Flag ProgramMaricopa County’s Air Quality ‘Flag’ Awareness Program is intended to increase public and business community recognition of the Air Quality Index rating system and the need to take increasingly responsible measures to control air pollution during periods when air quality is degraded. Program participants display (fly or post) a specially designed flag at a prominent location to indicate the air quality for that day. By displaying this flag, employees and visitors will readily know current air quality conditions and take appropriate actions to control additional emissions

Participants in the flag program will receive a set of four flags of different colors representing categories of the Air Quality Index – a system that classifies air quality as Good, Moderate, Unhealthful for Sensitive Groups and Unhealthful. E-mails will be sent to participants informing them of expected air quality conditions the next day allowing them to display the appropriate flag that matches expected air quality conditions. Companies interested in participating in the Air Quality Awareness ‘Flag’ Program are encouraged to visit the Clean Air Make More website and view the program information:

Arizona Contractors Selected to Complete EPA’s Mandatory Stormwater Survey

Many AZAGC members are receiving letters from U.S. EPA directing them to complete a mandatory survey on construction stormwater management practices within 60 days – or face significant fines and penalties. View the full list of Arizona companies selected to complete the survey here.

Here’s what you need to know…EPA has initiated a national rulemaking to reduce stormwater discharges from new development and redevelopment and to strengthen its stormwater program (a.k.a., “post-construction” stormwater rule). To collect information from entities believed to be owners/developers of residential, non-residential, industrial and commercial sites, EPA mailed out letters last week to approximately 3,000 companies directing them to complete a lengthy, mandatory questionnaire within 60 days.

It is important that any AGC general contractor who receives the survey complete the pertinent sections and submit it in advance of the 60-day deadline, or they could be fined significantly (CWA authorizes penalties of up to $37,500 per day per violation)!

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT SURVEY: Unless your company has an ownership interest in the properties it builds on, the company should not have to complete more than the first page of the survey – stopping at A5. As a result of AGC’s work with EPA last year and early this year, the Agency is not requiring general contractors (businesses that only build houses or other structures on a contractual basis and do not take ownership of the lots they build on) to complete the detailed financial and technical portions of the survey. Take a closer look at the definitions page and the first few questions on the survey. It is online at http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/rulemaking.cfm (scroll down to owner/developer questionnaires).

For questions or for additional information, please contact Amanda McGennis, amcgennis@azagc.org or (602) 252-3926, ext. 12.