Construction owners and contractors operating maintenance yards and equipment facilities face increasing regulatory scrutiny over environmental compliance, particularly stormwater management. A recent settlement involving Fort Myer Construction underscores the importance of maintaining pollution control systems and meeting permit and reporting obligations to avoid enforcement actions and financial penalties.
Fort Myer Construction has entered into a court-filed settlement with the District of Columbia to resolve allegations that runoff from its Ward 5 storage and maintenance yard discharged pollutants into local waterways over several years.
As part of the agreement, the company will pay $450,000, with $225,000 designated for the District's Water Quality Enforcement Fund. The settlement resolves claims that pollutants, including petroleum products, sediment, salt and other contaminants, entered the stormwater system and nearby waterways from the company's property.
The agreement also requires Fort Myer Construction to implement an Environmental Management Plan that includes new runoff control measures, upgraded drainage infrastructure, installation of filters and drainage improvements, removal of unused equipment and vehicles, and maintenance of existing site infrastructure to reduce the risk of future pollution.
Under the settlement, Fort Myer Construction must maintain an extensive compliance program for the next three years.
The company is required to conduct weekly site inspections, perform laboratory testing of stormwater discharged from the property, document site conditions during monthly rain events through photographic monitoring, and submit monthly progress reports detailing inspections, testing results, maintenance activities and corrective actions.
The agreement also establishes additional monetary penalties if the company does not complete required inspections, monitoring, testing or facility improvements within the specified requirements.
The settlement highlights the growing emphasis on environmental compliance for contractors managing construction yards, equipment storage facilities and maintenance operations. Stormwater management, discharge permitting, routine inspections and documented maintenance programs have become increasingly important components of construction risk management.
For construction owners and contractors, the case serves as a reminder that environmental compliance extends beyond active job sites to permanent operational facilities. Maintaining drainage infrastructure, controlling runoff and documenting compliance efforts can help reduce regulatory exposure while supporting environmental protection requirements.
