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The pre-bid period is the best time to incorporate BMPs into the planning phase of your project. You will find that this type of planning will help you conserve resources, reduce your pollution and clean-up costs, and avoid enforcement action - all resulting in cost savings to you!
Hazardous Waste Cleanup and Brownfields Redevelopment
A Brownfields site describes the expansion, redevelopment or reuse of property that is complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant or contaminant, controlled substance or petroleum product. A Brownfields site may also be mine scarred land.
Regulations
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Brownfields Program, under federal law 500-F-02-134, is designed to empower states, communities, and other stakeholders to work together to prevent, assess, safely clean up, and sustainably reuse brownfields.
The Division of Emergency Response and Remediation (DERR) is responsible for administering the Voluntary Environmental Cleanup Program (VCP). The purpose of the VCP is to encourage the voluntary cleanup of Brownfields with the goal of bringing these properties back to beneficial use.
Contacts
Special Wastes
Construction and demolition (C&D) materials may contain special wastes that might or might not meet the federal definition of hazardous waste. Special wastes include hazardous waste asbestos-containing materials, mercury-containing materials, lead-based paint debris, methamphetamine, and mold (see Section 3 Waste & Materials Management).
Asbestos-containing materials have been widely used for fire resistance and insulation in building construction since World War II and are commonly found in:
During remodeling, contractors should be aware that the following items, commonly found inside buildings, may contain mercury and sometimes lead:
Lead-based paint has been banned since 1978, but many older structures still have this paint on walls, woodwork, siding, windows, and doors. Lead poisoning is a serious health threat for adults and is especially damaging to young children. It can cause anemia, reproductive disorders, and damage to the kidney, liver, and brain.
Methamphetamine is a derivative of amphetamine and is a powerful stimulant that affects the brain and central nervous system. Methamphetamine can be easily produced in simple labs (clandestine drug labs) using readily available ingredients including over the counter drugs and household chemicals that are cooked to produce the drug.
Mold is associated with water damage and moisture accumulation and can cause health effects.
Regulations
Congress passed the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) giving EPA the authority to control hazardous waste from the "cradle-to-grave." It regulates facilities that generate, transport, treat, store, or dispose of hazardous waste. Mercury-containing wastes must be managed and disposed of as a hazardous waste if they meet the toxicity characteristics for mercury (see Section 3 Waste & Materials Management). Mercury-containing batteries, thermostats, and lamps may be managed under the Universal Waste Program. The Universal Waste Rule was written to streamline environmental regulations for wastes generated by large numbers of businesses in relatively small quantities by encouraging the recycling and proper disposal of certain common hazardous wastes. Recycling is an environmentally responsible way to manage spent lamps. Recycling separates toxic substances such as mercury from the glass, aluminum, and other lamp components that can be reused.
For more information on RCRA regulations, EPA has published RCRA In Focus Construction, Demolition, and Renovation. EPA has also published a self-audit checklist on hazardous substances for construction and development.
Congress passed the Clean Air Act (CAA) that was designated to regulate air pollution. The Utah Division of Air Quality is responsible for implementing the CAA by enforcing rules specifying that asbestos-containing materials and lead –based paint debris are properly managed.
The Utah State Legislature passed the Illegal Drug Operations Site Reporting and Decontamination Act during the 2004 General Session. The law provides a mechanism for cleanup of methamphetamine contamination and certification by local health departments.
The Salt Lake Valley Health Department’s (SLVHD) Bureau of Sanitation and Safety responds to complaints from the public regarding chemically contaminated property including methamphetamine labs, under SLVHD Regulation #32, and a variety of sanitation and safety issues, such as mold. For a list of all Local Health Districts in Utah, see the Contacts section below.
Contacts
Reuse of Materials
What does your waste stream look like? Below is a list of materials that usually make up a construction project's waste stream. Fill in the estimated percent by volume for each component (waste stream percentages will vary according to the type of project being done). By examining what typically goes into your dumpster, you can identify wastes that can be eliminated, minimized, salvaged, or recycled.
Waste Stream Assessment:
|
_______% Metals |
_______% Drywall |
_______% Plastics & Foam |
_______% Paper |
_______% Packaging |
_______% Cardboard |
_______% Crates & Pallets |
_______% Concrete |
_______% Insulation |
_______% Masonry |
_______% Electrical Wire |
_______% Asphalt |
_______% Fireproofing Overspray |
_______% Fiberglass |
_______% Other______________ |
Salvage of materials is usually more cost effective than disposal, but this depends on local markets for resale or reuse of materials. It is a good idea to go over the materials with someone from a local salvage business (listed in the Yellow Pages under "Demolition Contractors," "Salvage," or "Building Materials - Used"). The following BMPs are designed to reduce waste.
Best Pollution Prevention Practices
Objectives:
Practices:
Recycling of Materials
Materials suitable for recycling today include cardboard, concrete, and metals. Uses and markets for products that previously could not be recycled are now expanding (examples: gypsum from wallboard is used as a soil amendment; concrete and asphalt are crushed and used as aggregate or base material). Construction industry waste makes up roughly 20% of the total municipal waste stream. Recycling can significantly lower this figure.
Best Management Practices
Objectives:
Practices:
Contacts
General Storm Water Permit
Congress passed the Clean Water Act (CWA) giving EPA the authority to set water quality standards for all contaminants in surface waters. For more information on the CWA, review the self-audit checklist on storm water requirements for construction and development issued by EPA.
The Division of Water Quality (DWQ) is responsible for implementing CWA requirements in Utah. Owners of construction sites which disturb one acre or greater are required to obtain a General Construction permit prior to any land disturbance at the site. Owners of parcels (even smaller than one acre) within a development that disturbs greater than one acre are required to obtain a permit. The construction permit includes a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan containing BMPs that are designed to prevent contamination of surface waters. See Section 2, Site Stabilization and Vehicle and Equipment Management; Section 3, Site Stabilization and Erosion & Run-off Control; and Section 4, Final Site Stabilization for more information on BMPs.
Contacts
Fugitive Dust Control Plan and Open Burning Permit
Congress passed the Clean Air Act (CAA) that was designated to regulate air pollution. For more information on the CAA, review the self-audit checklist on air quality for construction and development issued by EPA.
The Utah Division of Air Quality is responsible for implementing the CAA in Utah by enforcing rules specifying that fugitive dust be minimized and controlled at construction sites. If the construction site is along the Wasatch Front, owner/operators are required to develop and submit a dust control plan. See Section 2, Site Stabilization, for more information on BMPs.
Using fire to clear land and dispose of debris is a major source of air pollution. Particularly in populated areas, pollution from outdoor burning threatens public health and the environment.
Always check with your local fire department before you burn. State and local regulations apply to:
Contacts
Utah Division of Air Quality, (801) 536-4000
EPA’s Planning Guide for Construction and Development
Water Source Protection, Stream Alterations and Wetlands
Special permits are required for contractors who dredge, excavate, fill, drain, alter, or conduct construction activities in waters of the state. Regulations and permits cover the following construction activities:
Congress passed the Clean Water Act (CWA) giving EPA the authority to set water quality standards for all contaminants in surface waters. For more information on the CWA, review the self-audit checklist on wetland requirements for construction and development issued by EPA.
The U.S. Corps of Engineers administers and enforces Section 404 of the CWA. A permit is required from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers prior to any discharge, excavation, or placement of fill material into rivers, lakes, wetlands, and other water bodies.
Contacts
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (801) 295-8380
Water Well Drilling
Congress passed the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act that empowers the EPA to adopt and enforce rules that must be met by each public water system in the nation.
The Division of Drinking Water is responsible for implementing the Drinking Water Act rules in Utah. If you are planning the construction, drilling, or alteration of any source of public drinking water or water system you must submit plans and specifications to the Division of Drinking Water.
Contacts
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