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EPA Settlement with Raymore, Mo., Results in Stream Protections for Tributary to South Grand River

Release Date: 10/10/2014
Contact Information: Ben Washburn, 913-551-7364, washburn.ben@epa.gov

Environmental News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Lenexa, Kan., Oct. 10, 2014) - EPA Region 7 has reached an administrative settlement with the city of Raymore, Mo., to resolve municipal stormwater violations under the Clean Water Act. Under the settlement, the city will come into compliance with its Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit, pay a penalty of $22,000, and implement a Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP).

EPA investigations found Raymore was in ongoing non-compliance with terms of its MS4 permit due to multiple failures, including: failure to develop a comprehensive stormwater management program plan; failure to effectively implement a public education and public participation program for stormwater; failure to adequately implement a program to detect and eliminate illicit discharges to the city’s storm sewer system; failure to adequately address post-construction stormwater management; and failure to adequately implement stormwater pollution prevention and good housekeeping practices with regard to the city’s operations and facilities.

To resolve the violations, Raymore entered into two administrative orders with EPA. Under a compliance order, the city will update and fully implement its stormwater management program plan to ensure it takes appropriate measures to reduce pollution in urban stormwater to the maximum extent practicable.

Under a settlement agreement for penalties, Raymore has agreed to pay a penalty of $22,000. In addition, the city will complete an environmental project that creates rain gardens along an urban stream tributary to the South Grand River. The rain gardens, with an estimated cost of approximately $15,800, will be designed to reduce erosion and pollutants, and capture and filter first-flush runoff from adjacent roadways prior to its discharge into the stream.

“Municipalities play a key role in protecting local waterways by preventing stormwater from washing harmful pollutants into streams and rivers,” said Karl Brooks, EPA Region 7 Administrator. “Effective municipal stormwater programs inform and involve the public in stormwater pollution prevention efforts and prohibit illegal discharges of pollutants in stormwater.”

Urbanized areas contain large portions of impervious surfaces such as roads, rooftops and parking lots that channel stormwater directly into local streams, rivers, and other water bodies. Improperly managed stormwater runoff from urbanized areas can damage streams, cause significant erosion, and carry excessive nutrients, sediment, toxic metals, volatile organic compounds, and other pollutants downstream.

The consent agreement for penalties is subject to a 40-day public comment period before it becomes final. Information on how to submit comments is available on the EPA Region 7 website.