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Department of Ecology Press Release - October 11, 2005
05-245
OLYMPIA - Three Clark County developers face a $13,000 fine from the state for failing to prevent muddy water from sweeping down a steep ravine and making its way into Gee Creek.
The runoff occurred at Ridgefield's Cedar Ridge housing development in August 2004.
The Department of Ecology (Ecology) took the action against Sun Country Homes/Helmes Inc. of Battle Ground and two Vancouver firms, Wubben Bros. Excavation and Underground Inc. and New Tradition Homes Inc.
Muddy water can harm fish habitat by smothering eggs. Gee Creek is a salmon-bearing stream and has runs of coho salmon, steelhead, coastal and sea-run cutthroat trout, as well as other freshwater species.
Besides finding the muddy runoff during an inspection, Ecology found that the developers had not installed or maintained systems at the site to control stormwater discharges. They had failed to notify Ecology when the discharges occurred, and their stormwater pollution-prevention plan was inadequate to manage the amount of water that was generated.
"This muddy runoff could have been prevented if the developers had properly tended the site to control soil," said Kelly Susewind, a manager in Ecology's water-quality program. "We are seeing far too many shortcuts by land developers that endanger our state's waters and fish runs."
The owners have 30 days to apply for relief from the penalty and to appeal it.
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Contact: Glenn Kuper, public information manager, 360-407-6239
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
