Corporate environmental pollution does not just come from factories and oil companies. There is a grown epidemic across our nation as construction and development companies employ irresponsible techniques when clearing and developing land. One of the major pollutants that are impacting our nation’s water ways is sediment introduced by construction companies. Bodies of water like rivers, lakes and streams are important to maintain a balanced eco system. The contamination of these valuable recourses can lead to the destruction of aquatic life and even the contamination of valuable drinking water. High levels of sediment introduced into a lake or river can also cause them to become unsuitable for recreational activities or other contact by humans and animals.

The delicate nature of these valuable bodies of water has lead the Environmental Protections Agency to create a series of regulations that must be followed by companies wanting to develop or begin construction on land near a waterway. A recent settlement revealed that in the spring of 2003 a development company working in South Dakota used improper construction practices when they used fill material to eliminate over five acres of protected wetlands and four hundred seventy feet of the wetlands necessary drainage channels. These wetlands boarder Nine Mile Creek located in the Sioux Falls area. The illegal use of fill materials is a direct violation of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Water Act. The filling took place during a 2003 construction project and was reported to the EPA by the Army Corps of Engineers because of a citizen complaint.

Complaints by citizens are one of the most valuable weapons the EPA has in their fight against corporations who continually use environmentally irresponsible business practices on a regular basis. James P. Daniels is the leader of the development company sited in the suit. This is not the first time a company run by Daniels has been in trouble with the EPA. He was also the head of Daniels Construction, Inc and Sunset Development, LLC when they were faced with allegations of violating environmental regulations. Repeat offenders like Mr. Daniels are often only caught because of citizens reporting damage to their property or communities. Not only has Mr. Daniels been in trouble with the EPA before, he was sited for the same violations in an early complaint. During the first phase of development his company was accused of filling wetlands without obtaining the proper permits. The previous site was located very close to the new site in the suit mentioned above.

Under the terms of the new settlement that was agreed to on July 22, 2011, Candle Development will bay a fine in the amount of the thousand dollars. The company will also be responsible for all costs involved in restoring the wetlands and mitigating the damage done during their illegal filling operation. With these new fines and costs added to the fees of around sixty thousand dollars already paid by the company, perhaps James P. Daniels will follow the proper procedures for acquiring permits during his next development project.

Find out more about CPL Professional Coverage and how Beacon Hill Associates can help you.

Find out more about http://www.b-h-a.com/cpl-prof CPL Professional Coverage and how Beacon Hill Associates can help http://www.b-h-a.com/Home.aspx you.

Author Bio: Find out more about CPL Professional Coverage and how Beacon Hill Associates can help you.

Category: Advice
Keywords: Environment, Business, Industry, Insurance, Construction