Ryan Homes to Break Ground on Balmorea of Montgomery

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency ("IEPA") recently approved a Notice of Intent for the Ryan Homes Development located at approximately the Northwest Corner of Galena Road and Dickson Road in Montgomery (Will County).

Unfortunately, this development is not following Illinois Environmental Laws and this submission for this permit falls well short of State Law requirements.

According to the US EPA, "Stormwater runoff is generated from rain and snowmelt events that flow over land or impervious surfaces, such as paved streets, parking lots, and building rooftops, and does not soak into the ground. The runoff picks up pollutants like trash, chemicals, oils, and dirt/sediment that can harm our rivers, streams, lakes, and coastal waters. To protect these resources, communities, construction companies, industries, and others, use stormwater controls, known as best management practices (BMPs). These BMPs filter out pollutants and/or prevent pollution by controlling it at its source."

The most recent IEPA Construction Pollution Permit dates from August 2018, it is known as the ILR10 Permit. The requirements for the issuance of permits include many protections and best practices to protect the Waters of our State. The Watersheds of Will County flow towards the Gulf of Mexico.

Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (aka SWPPP) are robust documents with many required details. Among the problems with this submission by Ryan Homes to the State EPA:

*SWPPP Missing

*Construction drawings provided date from 2005 to 2007 and reference standard from 1988; Illinois Environmental Laws have changed dramatically since 2005

*No indication of stormwater runoff coefficients for the site after construction activities completed.

*Controls referenced are no longer the standard in Illinois; builder should update to the current Illinois Urban Manual.

*No reference to Post-Construction Storm Water Management requirements

Nearby residents should be aware that the Property Owner is required to conduct & documents weekly stormwater inspections AND within 24 hours of a 0.50-inch rain event. These reports are to be kept for 3 years following permit termination and are available to any resident at any time by requesting a copy from the owner.

At the end of the day, it is incumbent upon every resident to help to protect our environment. Some might say, "what's the big deal, it's just one project?". If every construction project in Illinois had the same attitude our precious water from Lake Michigan to the many nearby rivers could be in peril. We owe protection to future generations.

Any citizen may file a complaint to the IEPA at the following website:

https://www2.illinois.gov/epa/pollution-complaint/Pages/Submit-A-Complaint.aspx

About the Author

Mike Korman is a retired US Navy Master Chief Seabee (4x Combat Veteran) and former Construction Executive for Target Corporation. He is an FAA-rated Pilot, a member of the American Society of Media Photographers, and a Qualified SWPPP Preparer and Stormwater Compliance Inspector.