December 21, 2007

Department of Environmental Quality Director Steven E. Chester announced today that the DEQ has entered into an Administrative Consent Order with Byram Ridge Development Company LLC to resolve the DEQ's concerns related to water quality at Byram Ridge's construction site in Genesee County.

Byram Ridge is currently developing approximately 42 acres of former agricultural land in Genesee County's Fenton Township into a residential subdivision in close proximity to Byram Lake. Since permits for the project were issued by both the DEQ and the Genesee County Drain Commissioner's office during the summer of 2004, the DEQ has documented a number of permit violations, including discharges of sediment-laden storm water to Byram Lake.

The Order requires Byram Ridge to continue implementing a DEQ-approved Stabilization and Maintenance Plan that, if adhered to, should prevent additional discharges of sediment to Byram Lake and control other erosion at the construction site. Byram Ridge further agreed to update this plan annually for DEQ review and approval and certify in November of each year that all soil erosion and sedimentation control measures required by the current plan have been implemented. Finally, Byram Ridge has paid a sum of $35,000 to the state of Michigan as a civil fine and reimbursement of the DEQ's enforcement costs.

Editor's note: DEQ news releases are available on the department's Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

"Protecting Michigan's Environment, Ensuring Michigan's Future"

Revised December 21, 2007 by Pat Watson