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Questions?

Contact your nearest

DEQ regional office

or

DEQ's Pollution Prevention Program

Joanna Pierce

(208) 373-0146

or

Idaho Small Business Development Center:

Environmental Solutions Program

Joan Meitl

(208) 426-1839

toll-free: 1-800-225-3815


Environmental Assistance:

Construction Industry

Air Quality Regulations Need Help?
Hazardous Waste Regulations Industry-Specific Resources
Water Quality Regulations  
 
The construction industry in Idaho is impacted by various environmental regulations depending on the specific activities conducted.
 
 Air Quality Regulations

Construction activities impact Idaho's air quality and are therefore regulated by DEQ. All construction sites/projects must comply with DEQ's fugitive dust, visible emissions, and open burning regulations (pdf on Departement of Administration Web site). In addition, your facility may need to obtain an air quality permit to construct.


Specific regulations apply to rock crushers and hot mix asphalt plants. Any demolition of asbestos must meet the requirements of 40 CFR Part 61, Subpart M.

 
 Hazardous Waste Regulations

The construction industry can generate hazardous waste through the activities conducted and therefore must comply with a law called the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), which is administered by DEQ. Under RCRA, facilities that generate hazardous waste are required to follow specific practices and procedures associated with the safe management of hazardous waste. The type and number of requirements that must be complied with is based on the quantity and type of waste generated. Click here to learn more about hazardous waste requirements on this Web site.

 
 Water Quality Regulations

Construction operations can have an impact on Idaho's surface and ground waters and may be subject to federal water quality standards and the National Pollutant Elimination Discharge System (NPDES) program. Under this program, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates the discharge of pollutants into any water body of the U.S., including storm water sewer systems. Depending on the activities and services provided, construction operations may need an NPDES general permit for direct or indirect discharge. If the construction operation is located within a city that has an NPDES permit, it may be subject to the city's pretreatment and storm water requirements.

Click here to learn more about NPDES permits (U.S. EPA Web Site).

 
 Need Help?
If you need assistance in determining which environmental regulations apply to your construction operation, contact your nearest DEQ regional office or the Small Business Environmental Assistance Program at the Idaho Small Business Development Center.
 
 Industry-Specific Resources

 On DEQ's Web Site

Controlling Fugitive Dust at Construction Sites

(DEQ Publication, July 2008: pdf 500 kb, 2 pages)

Fugitive Dust: Developing a Prevention and Control Plan

(DEQ Publication, January 2003: pdf 143 kb, 7 pages) or Word format

Proper Disposal of Trade Waste

(DEQ Publication, July 2008: pdf 130 kb, 1 page)

 On Other Web Sites

Building Savings: Strategies for Waste Reduction of Construction and Demolition Debris from Buildings

(pdf on U.S. EPA Web Site)

Construction Industry Compliance Assistance Center

Developing Your Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan: A Guide for Construction Sites

(U.S. EPA pdf)

EPA Construction and Demolition Waste Reduction and Recycling Fact Sheets

(U.S. EPA Web Site)

List of Tools for the Construction Industry

(pdf on U.S. EPA Web Site)

Thermostat Recycling Corporation

The Thermostat Recycling Corporation (TRC), a not-for-profit corporation owned by three NEMA member companies, facilitates the collection by HVAC wholesalers from contractors of all brands of used, wall-mounted mercury-switch thermostats so that the mercury can be purified for re-use. 

U.S. Green Building Council, Idaho Chapter

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is the nation's foremost coalition of leaders from every sector of the building industry working to promote buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable, and healthy places to live and work.  The USGBC Idaho Chapter promotes the implementation of sustainable building concepts and provides education and outreach in Idaho.




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