Click the play button on the video window to the right to see the storyDespite a steady breeze, there's no dust.
"Maintaining a site on a windy day like today when there is no dust blowing just speaks miles of the efforts we've taken," said Shawn Ingram with McCarthy Builders, recently added to the Maricopa County Air Quality Department's honor roll.
At this 90-acre water treatment plant site in Southwest Phoenix, the dust is controlled with water, sweepers, and other tools.
"It's just part of our business," Ingram said. "It's part of the culture in how we build these things.
As for all that water they use, McCarthy Builders uses ground water to fill the trucks, which then reapply it back to the ground.
"We want to recognize individuals out there that actually take the air quality into consideration when they're operating their business and that go above and beyond what we're asking of them," said Erin Dunsey with the Maricopa County Air Quality Department.
County records reveal problems in the past with violations for lack of dust control at other McCarthy sites in 2005 and 2006.
But Ingram said the county's been out to this site six times over the last year and a half without a single violation.
"The contractors in today's market, especially in this desert market that we live in, have really stepped up and taken a level of belief in the fact that we have to help the environment," Ingram said.
Air Quality Honor Roll
(from the Maricopa County Air Quality Department)
January 2008--
John Flores, Cactus Asphalt
Inspection: 1008 E. Mohave Street, Phoenix
John Flores, field superintendent for Cactus Asphalt in Phoenix was nominated for his hard work and dedication to keep the dust down at the site on Mohave Street in Phoenix. Flores keeps the site stabilized with a dust suppressant and he is very proactive. "Flores asks for a courtesy inspection to make sure he’s doing his job," reports Brendan Haugh, inspector with the Maricopa County Air Quality Department. Asking for a courtesy inspection is unusual and demonstrates Flores’ extra effort. "There are never any dust control problems at the site."
Jason Nowakowski, 2nd Avenue Design
Inspection: 737 W. 2nd Avenue, Mesa
Jason Nowakowski, shipping manager for 2nd Avenue Design was nominated for using low VOC paints and making sure that all VOC containing materials were covered properly in his family-owned business. The production area was very clean and no solvent or paint odors were noted by the inspector. "This is a family owned company that spray paints iron light fixtures," commented Shawn Kuplin, source inspector for the Air Quality Department." This company has certainly made an effort to be green."
February 2008--
Ephram Cordova, Cactus Asphalt
Inspection: 947 E. Cocopah Street, Phoenix
Ephram Cordova, field superintendent for Cactus Asphalt in Phoenix was nominated for going above and beyond Maricopa County’s air quality rules. His site at 947 E. Cocopah Street in Phoenix has numerous lots that are all stabilized by a dust suppressant. Unsatisfied with the performance of the dust suppressant, Cordova re-graded each lot and applied a higher quality dust suppressant even though there were no apparent dust issues at the lots after the first application. "This company has raised the bar and impressed me with their dust control efforts," states Brendan Haugh, dust inspector with the Maricopa County Air Quality Department.
Ken Sumner, A & D Auto Body
Inspection: 850 E. Riley Drive, Avondale
Ken Sumner, manager for A & D Auto Body in Avondale was also nominated for being proactive in both recordkeeping and in operation of the facility at 850 E. Riley Drive. "They are concerned about the environment," reports Mason McNinch, compliance inspector with the Maricopa County Air Quality Department. "This company’s positive attitude toward pollution prevention offers a great example for others to follow."
June 2008--
Scott D. Manley, Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, L.P.
Inspection: 49 N. 53rd Avenue, Phoenix
Kinder Morgan is a Title-V facility meaning it is a major source of emissions. Past inspections in 2005 and 2006 noted compliance errors. Kinder Morgan received numerous air quality violations at that time which resulted in the company signing a settlement agreement for $245,000. However, during their most recent inspection in April 2008, the company received zero violations and all of their records that were requested were presented in perfect order.
Adam Erenstein, stationary source inspector with the Maricopa County Air Quality Department noted both Manley and lead operator Troy Eifert were both of great assistance during the inspection process. "This company certainly made an effort to turn things around," reported Erenstein. "They worked very hard to achieve a compliant inspection. This facility has gone above and beyond to work within its permit conditions."
August 2008--
Brandon Parkinson, Asante L.H. LLC (Lennar Corporation), 1150 W. Grove Parkway, Ste. 108, Tempe
Brandon Parkinson with Lennar Corporation was nominated by dust inspector Dennis Avila with the Maricopa County Air Quality Department. Their site, located at 163rd Avenue & Grand, hasn’t had any violations for the past six months and is 810 acres. According to Avila, Lennar continues to comply and/or exceed the county requirements for dust control at this site. "They have spent time, money and effort to maintain an effective dust control program," explains Avila. In addition to Lennar’s impressive dust control efforts, Chris Pacheco with Focus Environmental assists on site by patrolling the areas currently not under construction to ensure no one disturbs the dust.
Brian Kruer, Vratsinas Construction Company, 1410 S. Signal Butte Road, Mesa
Brian Kruer with Vratsinas Construction Company was nominated by dust inspector Jana Baldwin for his site located at 1410 S. Signal Butte Road. "Mr. Kruer and his team have gone the extra mile for dust control at this location," stated Baldwin. In July, Mr. Kruer requested a courtesy inspection from the department to ensure he was in compliance when moving his trackout control device on a road development project. In addition, Kruer reportedly drafted his own recordkeeping template which includes information above and beyond what the county’s new dust control rule requires.
Vince Castillo, Sundt Construction Inc., 552 N. Miller Road, Tempe
Vince Castillo, nominated by dust inspector Phil Garcia, received this honorable mention for keeping a well-maintained site at 552 N. Miller Road in Buckeye. Garcia noted that Castillo carried out dust control efforts prior to knowing that a dust inspector was onsite. "I witnessed oversized vehicles drive under the speed limit on the unpaved portion of Miller Road to limit any fugitive dust emissions," stated Garcia. Castillo’s site also had a trackout control device even though it wasn’t required.
September 2008--
Al Benjamin, BJ Kerstiens and Ed Pierce, Maricopa Ready Mix LLC, Plant #3, 4405 S. Litchfield Road, Avondale, AZ
Last inspected on August 4, 2008, these three nominees at Maricopa Ready Mix LLC and their team displayed above average business practices when it came to controlling dust pollution. Part of the agency’s success in reducing particulate (dust) pollution stems from having an excellent baghouse which serves to filter particulates before they can become airborne. Other documented efforts towards keeping our air healthier to breathe is a result of no fugitive dust being visible from any of the company’s various operations that were taking place while dust inspector Bob McPeek was on site.
McPeek noted the entire site location is fully paved with concrete, including the employees’ parking areas, which is one major contributor to reducing dust. In addition, there is a water truck on-site that washes away any dust that is collected at least three times per day. These nominees have also added extra dust-controlling measures at the exit of the concrete lot. Even though the Rule 316 requires they add a 5 MPH sign at the exit, the sign they use says 3 MPH.
"Our nonmetallic mineral processing rule (Rule 316) was recently revised on March 12, 2008," stated McPeek. "It included significant changes to operational standards and recordkeeping requirements. All sites operating under Rule 316 were given until June 12, 2008 to revise their Dust Control Plans (DCP) and while this new requirement presented many challenges, this site location revised their forms with the new Rule 316 requirements within the deadline. In addition, all site personnel received the required Comprehensive and Basic Dust Control Training as needed. These nominees are setting the example for Rule 316 sites to follow."
October 2008--
Matt Motil, Sundt Construction, 2620 S. 55th Street, Tempe
Dan McDonough, dust inspector with the Maricopa County Air Quality Department, nominated Matt Motil who is the Project Engineer with Sundt Construction for their site located at 3695 E. Ocotillo Road in Gilbert. "This site is very organized and all personnel are conscious of dust issues" reported McDonough. "Water trucks are going non-stop all day long, all dust generating activities have water available and the entrance to the site is a mile long which is paved, swept and cleaned on a regular basis to prevent trackout." In addition to demonstrating good dust control practices, McDonough noted that all records were well maintained and organized.
Mark Woehl, Beazer Homes Holding Corp., 1621 W. Rio Salado Pkwy., Ste. 103, Tempe
Mark Woehl, superintendent with Beazer homes was also nominated for his site located at 702 S. 114th Lane in Avondale. Brendan Haugh, also a dust inspector, noted the site completely adapted to the newly revised Rule 310, even completing requirements which were not necessary as the permit was opened prior to the rule revision. "Mr. Woehl had a firm grasp on the site's operations and was able to produce all required documentation at a moment's notice" stated Haugh. "He clearly has made dust control and compliance a priority at this site."
Michael Holcomb, Dynergy Arlington Valley LLC, P.O. Box 26, Arlington
Michael Holcomb who is the plant manager for Dynegy Arlington Valley LLC received his nomination from compliance manager Steve Depenbrok with the Maricopa County Air Quality Department. His plant, located at 39027 W. Elliott Road in Arlington, made significant strides to ensure compliance with its air quality permit for an inspection on August 27, 2008. "The plant made considerable improvements from its last inspection" commented Depenbrok. "All plant operations were in compliance and all recordkeeping requirements were well documented and available for review as requested."
November 2008--
Joe Laudick, Sun State Builders, Inc., 1150 W. Washington, Ste. 120, Tempe
Joe Laudick oversees environmental compliance at various Sun State Builders, Inc. sites in the area of Buckeye Road and 75th Avenue. Dust inspector Brendan Haugh interacted with Laudick frequently during his last few inspections and noted Laudick's site at 73rd Avenue & Sherman models outstanding dust control. "While the county sets the opacity standard for dust emissions at 20%, Laudick holds his sites to a 0% standard" commented Haugh. "Laudick puts forth the maximum amount of effort to achieve the highest degree of compliance."
Jeff Luke, KB Home Phoenix, Inc., 432 N. 44th St., Ste 400, Phoenix
Jeff Luke, director of construction for KB Home Phoenix, Inc. received a nomination for his site at 63rd Avenue & Baseline Road in Avalon Village. Dust inspector Matthew Morris stated Luke’s site is extremely well crusted and stabilized, including the inactive sites. "All of the subcontractors on site had water hoses that they carried along with them" said Morris. "Every subcontractor was clearly logged with their registration number and the dust control logs were well maintained with all the information we require. I was very impressed."
Robert Watley, D.L. Withers Construction, 3220 E. Harbour Dr., Phoenix
Robert Watley, superintendent for D.L. Withers Construction LP reportedly takes dust control very seriously. Dust inspector Anne Harris mentioned positive efforts taken at four of Watley's sites in Phoenix, all near public high schools, which he visits multiple times daily to ensure compliance. "Watley takes the time to ensure not even the smallest amount of emissions cross over to the populated areas of the schools," indicated Harris. "I’ve seen workers hired to be on his sites to monitor dust control even while no work was occurring. Watley told me he thinks it is extremely important to keep the site moist at all times due to their locations."
January 2009--
Jason Seavey, Geoffrey H. Edmunds & Associates, Inc., 3312 E. Campbell Avenue, Phoenix
Steve Depenbrok, dust inspector with the Maricopa County Air Quality Department nominated Jason Seavey, site construction manager for Geoffrey H. Edmunds & Associates, Inc. for his site located at 33rd Street & Campbell in Phoenix. The construction site is temporarily inactive although Depenbrok says Seavey keeps vigilant watch on the location and makes sure it remains stabilized.
"Seavey provided current daily self-inspection records and had pictures of the site to document its condition," commented Depenbrok. "Taking pictures of an inactive site to ensure the dust is stable is not a common practice among permit holders." Seavey reportedly makes frequent trips to the site and continues to implement dust control measures even though the site is currently inactive. "It is these extra measures that made me want to pursue this nomination," continued Depenbrok.
March 2009--
Jim Simon, Dennis Baer, David Aldridge and Chris Andrews, Woodcase Fine Cabinetry, Inc., 3255 W. Osborn Road, Phoenix
Shawn Kuplin, compliance inspector with the Maricopa County Air Quality Department, nominated the individuals from Woodcase Fine Cabinetry, Inc. for their site located at 32nd Avenue & Osborn Road in Phoenix. "The shop had very good housekeeping with all volatile organic compounds [VOC] containing materials covered," stated Kuplin. "All dust control equipment was clean of sawdust and their records were well organized and up-to-date." This large facility has also been facilitating a voluntary green program including using all rough lumber from sustainable forests that are certified by either the Forest Stewardship Council or the Sustainable Forestry Initiative. All of the stain-wiping rags used in the finishing area are being laundered as opposed to going to a waste disposal site and reducing and/or removing VOCs and hazardous air pollutants in products for the finishing department.
Cherie Jourdan, dust inspector with the department, nominated Robert Laufer for his site located at 3200 S. McQueen Road in Chandler. "Mr. Laufer and McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. have been a pleasure to work with," reported Jourdan. "Mr. Laufer is not only courteous but extremely organized. The Dust Control Permit, Dust Control Plan and all necessary records were easily located for review. Their records were kept above and beyond what we, as regulators, could expect." This site uses control measures such as gravel, water application systems and a trackout control device to curb their pollution.
