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Housing Developer to Pay $130,000 in Penalties to Settle Clean Water Act Violations at Eastern Pennsylvania sites

Release Date: 05/09/2006
Contact Information: Roy Seneca (215) 814-5567

PHILADELPHIA – Gambone Development Co. and affiliated real estate development companies – Glenn Farms L.P., and Reserve at Springton L.P. – have settled alleged Clean Water Act violations at three Gambone construction sites in Montgomery and Berks counties, Pa., the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced.

Under consent agreements with EPA, Gambone and its two affiliates will pay total penalties of $130,000 to settle violations of regulations designed to reduce polluted storm water runoff from construction sites.

The Gambone companies were cited in September 2005 for violating Clean Water Act regulations requiring operators of construction activities to get permits from EPA or a state agency before discharging storm water runoff into U.S. waters. These permits require an erosion and sedimentation control plan that specifies controls such as sediment basins and traps, silt fencing, and soil stabilization. Storm water runoff from construction sites often contains high levels of sediment and suspended solids, and may also contain oxygen-demanding compounds and other pollutants.

According to EPA, the cited companies did not comply with the control plans for the sites. Officials from the Berks and Montgomery County Conservation Districts assisted the investigations.
Gambone will pay an $85,000 penalty to settle violations at the 12.5-acre construction site for The Arbors development in Hatfield Township, Montgomery County. Site inspections from September 2003 to June 2005 documented several violations including failure to install proper erosion controls and sediment basins; failure to divert storm water runoff; inadequate installation and maintenance of silt fences; soil disturbance beyond the limits; and removal of controls before soil stabilization. Storm water runoff from this site discharges into the West Branch of Neshaminy Creek, a tributary of the Delaware River.

Glenn Farms L.P. will pay a $20,000 penalty to settle violations at the 22-acre “Pimlico Farms” housing development located at Germantown Pike and Potshop Road in East Norriton, Montgomery Co., Pa. Violations documented in April, May and June 2005 at the site included failure to timely complete the sediment basin, sediment trap, and diversion channels; inadequate maintenance of the sediment basin, diversion channel and silt fencing; and inadequate stabilization of sediment trap and stockpiles. Storm water runoff from the site discharges into a tributary of Wissahickon Creek, which flows into the Schuylkill River.

Reserve at Springton L.P. will pay a $25,000 penalty to settle violations at “Broadcasting Ridge,” a 50-acre housing development at Paper Mill and Broadcasting Roads in Spring Township, Berks County (also known as the Reserve at Springton development). Site inspections in November 2004 cited violations that included inadequate erosion controls; inadequate maintenance of construction entrances; lack of silt fencing around stockpiles; and unavailable inspection reports. Storm water runoff from the site discharges into a tributary of Tulpehocken Creek, which flows into the Schuylkill River.

As part of the settlement, the cited companies neither admitted nor denied liability for the alleged violations. The penalty reflects the companies’ cooperation in negotiating a settlement. Gambone has since created a full-time position dedicated to ensuring compliance with environmental requirements at construction sites.

For more information about EPA’s storm water program, visit www.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater

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