The Duck River dam water reservoir project has been cited for five violations by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM), largely related to potential stormwater runoff and discharges within the watershed at the work site.

The violations were reportedly noted during an impromptu ADEM inspection of the site on July 11. The Cullman Utilities Board has until August 4 to respond. This marks the first time the project has been cited by ADEM for violations.

City officials note the issues largely revolve around preventative measures that were not being taken in case of a major rain event that could cause excess water to flow through the site and effect water quality.

After talking with contractor ASI Constructors, the city’s project manager Dale Greer said it seemed there was a solid grasp of the big picture, though closer attention needed to be placed on the smaller details. Tom Harwell, with engineer-of-record CH2M Hill, said his office is working to ensure the violations are “proactively corrected.”

The utilities board, along with CH2M Hill and owner’s representative St. John and Associates, are actively in communication with ASI Constructors to address the problems and prevent further regulatory action. If problems persist, the board could potentially be fired or a work stoppage could be ordered until potential issues are corrected.

Utilities board member Garlan Gudger, Jr. said the situation essentially boiled down to a “lack of communication” among the necessary parties, and echoed the board’s sentiments in noting it cannot happen again.

“We can’t have anymore of this,” he said.

The first violation focused on appropriate, effective best management practices (BMP) for the control of pollutants in storm water runoff, which had not been fully implemented and regularly maintained to the maximum extent practicable resulting in the potential for uncontrolled discharges of sediment and other pollutants.

The second violation noted effective stabilization practices designed to dissipate stormwater runoff energy and provide for non-erosive flow velocity as stormwater discharge outlets to prevent erosion in downgradient drainage features had not been fully implemented.

The third violation noted excessive sediment accumulation in the sediment basin or other treatment structure, which could result in potential for non-compliant discharges from a reduced treatment or storage capacity.

The fourth violation noted an unprotected streambed or an unstabilized raised crossing structure was observed in the water, which could potentially impact water quality due to crossing structure erosion or failure, streambank scour, sediment deposition, soil compaction or rutting.

The final violation noted a Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures (SPCC) plan for on site fuel and chemical storage tanks and containers was not available for review at the time of inspection. ADEM regulations require a plan be in place before fuel and chemicals can be stored on site.

Colorado-based ASI had the low, responsible bid of $51.79 million for the current phase of the project, which includes construction of the dam and spillway. ASI has built more than 100 dams, several of which had a similar design to Duck River.

 The reservoir project will create a 640-acre lake with a 32-million-gallon-per-day capacity in northeast Cullman County, which will work in conjunction with the area’s current sole major water source Lake Catoma. The design will be a hybrid, with roller-compacted concrete in the center and earthen wings.

The Duck River project has been in the works for more than a decade, after being permitted by the U.S. Army Corps. of Engineers than subsequently delayed by environmental challenges that have since been resolved.

* Trent Moore can be reached by e-mail at trentm@cullmantimes.com, or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 134.