Dec. 19, 2008
Vol. 38, No. 561

For more information contact Jamie Rutherford, Division of Soil and Water Conservation, 302-739-9921, or Melanie Rapp, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

                   DNREC Issues Penalty and Secretary’s Order to Hunt Building Co., Ltd.
              of Dover for Violations of its Sediment and Stormwater Plan and NPDES Permit

Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) Secretary John A. Hughes has issued a Notice of Administrative Penalty Assessment and Secretary’s Order to Hunt Building Company, Ltd., for violations of its Sediment and Stormwater Plan and National Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. The Order includes a cash penalty of $70,000 and an additional $10,500 as cost recovery reimbursement to the department for expenses associated with its investigation.

Hunt Building Company, Ltd. of Dover leases property from the Dover Air Force Base to construct military family housing units adjacent to the base. 

Under Delaware’s Sediment and Stormwater Regulations, a sediment and stormwater management plan must be approved by DNREC for any activities that disturb land greater than 5,000 square feet (one-eighth acre). On May 3, 2006 and Nov. 28, 2007, Hunt Building Co. received plan approvals from DNREC for the construction work.

DNREC conducted numerous site inspections Jan. – May 2008 and found that Hunt Building Co. violated its Sediment and Stormwater Plan and  NPDES permit when the company failed to: follow the sequence of construction on the approved plan; install authorized construction entrances; install inlet protection in localized areas; install curb line silt fence; submit adequate weekly Certified Construction Reviewer reports; maintain roadways and gutters free of sediment in all active construction areas; maintain catch basins;  and properly stabilize all disturbed areas of the site within 14 days of being disturbed.

In addition, on May 16, 2008, DNREC site inspectors and company representatives observed and documented a sediment release from the site to a channel that discharges into the St. Jones River.

On May 19, 2008 DNREC issued a Secretary’s Order that required all construction activity on the site to cease and desist until the company complied with the order. On May 27 DNREC lifted the Secretary’s Cease & Desist Order and construction was resumed.

DNREC conducted a follow-up site inspection June 12 and found the company in compliance.

Hunt Building Co. has 30 days to request a public hearing.