ITD fines increase for water violations

BOISE – The Idaho Transportation Department has agreed to pay more than $1 million in fines for Clean Water Act violations related to construction on Highway 95 south of Coeur d’Alene. The department now will pay $774,000 in addition to $325,000 it paid in 2008.

The agreement between the ITD and the Environmental Protection Agency is part of a settlement that ends five years of annual EPA audits of the ITD to monitor compliance. The ITD improved its practices as part of its agreement with the EPA, including requiring winter shutdowns for contractors, strengthening compliance rules for contractors and improving training.

“We expect to continue improving those processes as part of our commitment to accountability and transparency,” ITD Deputy Director Scott Stokes said. “I am pleased this process is concluded.”