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Double Push to Control D.C. Storm Water Pollution

Release Date: 4/19/2000
Contact Information: Roy Seneca (215) 814-5567

Roy Seneca, 215-814-5567

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a concerted effort to protect the Anacostia and Potomac river watersheds from polluted storm water runoff, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced two initiatives that will make businesses and local government more accountable for what is discharged into storm sewers and local waterways.

EPA’s first initiative is issuing Washington D.C. a permit to monitor and control almost 500 storm water outfalls that discharge into the Anacostia, as well as Rock Creek and the Potomac. The second initiative is an enforcement case that cites 79 businesses in EPA’s mid-Atlantic region including 25 businesses in Washington, D.C. and Maryland for violating Clean Water Act regulations designed to reduce polluted storm water runoff.

"Polluted storm water is a major source of the pollution found in the Anacostia and Potomac rivers and the Chesapeake Bay. One example is each year Americans carelessly dispose of 385 million gallons of oil, 35 times as much as was spilled in the Exxon Valdez oil spill. Much of this oil drains into our storm sewers and flows into our waterways," said Bradley Campbell, regional administrator for EPA’s mid-Atlantic region.

The city’s storm water permit requires it to sample, monitor and control pollution into the Anacostia, Rock Creek and Potomac. By the end of the three-year permit period, the district will have an improved storm water management plan that will achieve even greater pollution reductions in the future. The permit also coordinates the way Washington manages storm water.

Urban storm water runoff, collected by storm drains and discharged into rivers and streams, often contains pollutants such as oil and grease, chemicals, nutrients, and oxygen-demanding compounds. Under the Clean Water Act, owners of industrial operations or construction operations must obtain a Clean Water Act permit before discharging storm water runoff into waterways.
These permits must contain a storm water pollution prevention plan, which includes pollution-reducing management practices such as oil spill prevention, storage of waste fluids in proper containers sheltered from rainfall, and employee training in how to comply with environmental requirements.
In an enforcement action, EPA issued administrative orders against 25 salvage yards, marinas, tour companies and trucking and transportation operations in D.C and Maryland. The citations allege that these facilities allowed polluted storm water to discharge into storm sewers, which in turn drains into waterways that feed the Anacostia River. Seventeen of the cited businesses are in Washington, D.C., and eight facilities are upstream in Maryland. They are listed below.

EPA inspections revealed that these businesses either did not have a required permit or They were not abiding by storm water pollution prevention plans in their permit applications. EPA has ordered all companies to correct these violations.

The District of Columbia was a partner in EPA’s investigation of the Washington, D.C. cases announced today, and the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) assisted with the Maryland cases. EPA is also working with D.C. and MDE to ensure that industrial and federal facilities near the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers have adequate storm water management plans as part of their Clean Water Act permits.


Facilities cited for alleged storm water violations
in Washington, D.C. and Maryland
      Admiral Limo Services, 1243 First Ave., SE; Washington, D.C.
      Allstar Presidential LLC, 3201 8th St., NE, Washington, D.C.
      BFI Consolidated Industrial Processing Center, 1220 W St., NE, Washington, D.C.
      Bowies, Inc., 1337 E. St., SE, Washington, D.C.
      Capitol Yacht Club, 1000 Water St., SW, Washington, D.C.
      District Yacht Club, 1409 Water St., SE, Washington, D.C.
      Duvall’s Towing, 4300 Minnesota Ave., SE, Washington, D.C.
      Eastern Trans Waste (ETW), Inc., 1439 First St., SE, Washington, D.C.
      Eastern Power Boat Club, 13th and Water St., SE, Washington, D.C.
      Gangplank Marina, 600 Water St., SE, Washington, D.C.
      International Limousine Services, Inc., 2300 T St., NE, Washington, D.C.
      James Creek Marina, 200 V St., SW, Washington, D.C.
      James L. Taylor, 5201 Hayes St., NE, Washington, D.C.
      Old Towne Trolley Tours, 2600 and 2640 Reed St., NE, Washington, D.C.
      Ridgely Coach Corporation, 4600 Minnesota Ave., Washington, D.C.
      Rodger’s Brothers, 2125 Lawrence Ave., and 2115 Bryant St., NE, Washington, D.C.
      Super Salvage, Inc., 1711 First St., SW, Washington, D.C.
      AC Tours, 5801 Tuxedo Road, Tuxedo, Md.
      BFI- Prince George’s County, 3310 Kenilworth Ave., Hyattsville, Md.
      Brandywine Enterprises, 5800 Sheriff Road, Fairmont Heights, Md.
      Ginder Auto Parts, 5601 Sheriff Road, Fairmont Heights, Md.
      Gold Line/Gray Line, 5500 Tuxedo Road, Tuxedo, Md.
      Prince George Scrapyard Inc., 5700 Branchville Road, College Park, Md.
      Thomas Tours, 4910 Lawrence Place, Hyattsville, Md.
      World Recycling, 5600 Columbia Park Road, Cheverly, Md.



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