Virginia will receive $11,241 as part of a settlement with a national homebuilder who allegedly polluted construction sites, including those in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
In all, Ryland Group Inc., one of the country’s largest homebuilders, will pay $625,000 in an agreement it reached with the Environmental Protection Agency. According to a government complaint, Ryland failed to obtain permits until after construction, if at all, and didn’t comply with permit requirements where they were obtained.
Virginia and six other states joined the settlement, which includes sites in seven other states.
The company will have to ensure the proper storm water controls are in place in the future, improve employee training and increase management oversight at all current and future construction sites.
Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinnelli, a frequent critic of the EPA who even launched a lawsuit against it, was complimentary of the federal agency in this instance.
“When the EPA works within the bounds of its authority to enforce environemtnal regulations to keep contaminated storm water from flowing in the Chesapeake Bay, I support its efforts to protect Virginia’s natural resources,” Cuccinnelli said Friday.
