The architect, owner and the general contractor obtained local building, grading, storm water and erosion control permits with the local community. The owner however, missed several of the approvals and permits from the state and federal government.

As a result of missing these items, the company incurred double permit fees, they also opened themselves up to fines from the state and federal government, shutdown of site construction activities with schedule impact, increased scrutiny of erosion controls at the site with increased WDNR site visits; and delay of the wetland fill permit process. Additional costs were also incurred for: expedited installation of erosion control measures in frozen ground conditions; and significant delays in the construction process due to areas of the site which could not be utilized until the permits are finalized and the 30 day public comment period is completed. The onsite storm water basin outlet had to be redesigned and reconfigured with additional calculations, etc.

The sum total cost of all of these impacts has not been defined but we would estimate the cost impact is between $70,000 and $100,000 not including any fines or penalties or the Owner's consequential damages or lost profit on the project if it had completed on time.

A thriving and competitive construction company demands that their project managers have the right skills and information so that they can manage projects efficiently and in compliance with applicable laws. This information must be presented in a format that is straightforward and efficient to use. The Associated General Contractors of Greater Milwaukee has identified key areas of state and local environmental regulations that are very important to project managers’ reference. Those important topics are presented in a new construction guidebook for managing environmental exposures.

The purpose of this environmental tool kit is to provide a cost efficient manual for addressing these several key project environmental issues and thereby providing our member a competitive advantage by having this important information in a well-organized manual. The information in the took kit has been developed to help construction contractors:

• Reduce their exposure to environmental liability
• Plan for environmental issues prior to starting construction, thereby maximizing job site productivity

The information in this took kit is designed to assist project managers in spotting the environmental regulatory issues that impact each project and help them determine the level of effort and scope of activities necessary to meet the project’s needs. Proper advance planning is critical to job site productivity.

From government reporting, to awareness training certifications and forms, to project permitting and planning, this material gives project managers essential tools to be thorough and prepared under the pressure from increasingly rapid construction schedules. Recent legislation and regulations in such areas as recycling of building materials; proper waste management; waterway permitting, regulation and zoning issues; and trading of storm water credits are addressed. This took kit provides common sense advice and puts the forms and Internet addresses at project managers’ fingertips.

This book is available from the AGC of Greater Milwaukee. For more information, please contact Gert Grohmann at 414-778-4100, or email ggrohmann@agc-gm.org.