The Department of Justice and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said Ryland will also invest in compliance programs to improve employee training and increase management oversight at all current and future construction sites.
EPA estimates the settlement will prevent millions of pounds of sediment from entering US waterways every year, including sediment that would otherwise enter the Chesapeake Bay.
The company’s alleged violations include failure to obtain permits until after construction began, failing to obtain permits at all, or failing to comply with permit requirements at sites where Ryland did obtain permits.
Alleged permit violations include not developing complete stormwater pollution prevention plans, failure to conduct adequate inspections, and failure to install or implement adequate stormwater controls or practices.
The company is required to inspect its current and future construction sites routinely to minimize stormwater runoff from sites.
Ryland has agreed to obtain all required permits; develop site-specific pollution prevention plans for each construction site; conduct additional site inspections beyond those required by stormwater regulations; and document and promptly correct any problems detected.
