Posts
1669
Joined
10/19/2015
Location
Edinboro, PA
US
Edited Date/Time
8/14/2019 6:46pm
Has any dealt with the DEP/Environmental Protection Agency over a private track?
I just got a call, and the guy is coming to inspect at 11am Tuesday. Someone anonymous turned in a complaint about a race track being built.
The kids track has existed over a year with no complaints. No wetlands were disturbed. We don't ride after 5 pm out of courtesy. We don't ride if it's dusty. It was just a flat field of weeds that was cut.
Has anyone dealt with this and what are your experiences? I don't know what to expect.
I just got a call, and the guy is coming to inspect at 11am Tuesday. Someone anonymous turned in a complaint about a race track being built.
The kids track has existed over a year with no complaints. No wetlands were disturbed. We don't ride after 5 pm out of courtesy. We don't ride if it's dusty. It was just a flat field of weeds that was cut.
Has anyone dealt with this and what are your experiences? I don't know what to expect.
The Shop
That's the kind of thing the EPA looks for.
The fact that it's been there a year might be in your favor.
Just sayin!!!
They need to have permission to come inspect anything, be careful what you say and do and don't just let them come inspect without you having some representation.
Pit Row
As others have said, try to find the reason for the visit and what they are looking for/want to see. Ask for an agenda for the visit.
Quick story that may or may not be relevant. A friend that has a track we ride at every Wednesday. The town constable came out one Wednesday saying he had complaints of races being held on the property. He said no, I know everyone of these people by name, no races, just a weekly ride session. The constable was then saying the neighbors complained the noise was scaring the wildlife away. A couple minutes after saying that a deer ran out into the track area, one buddy had to stop and wait for the deer to get off the track. The constable said ok, just try to keep the noise down and left. That was about 10 years ago. If it's in an agricultural district, most likely there are no noise restrictions. If there are, ask to see the ordinance because most likely every farmer in the area is breaking the rules during planting and harvesting season.
I live in Chambersburg and have always wantef a track myself. My dad doesnt work for DEP but he works with DEP regularly. He let me know about the regulations and told me to contact someone before I do anything.
I havent bought the land yet, but I went ahead and called. If the track takes up more than one acre in area you need to pay to have someone look at it annually to evaluate water runoff and things like that. I believe it was $1000 annually. Additionally, if there is more than 5000 square feet of earth moving activity then you have to pay even more to have DEP look at water runoff, and things like that. I think he said that could be close to $20k.
In short, im building a track just less than 1 acre in area and will use less than 5000 sq feet for jumps when i build my track. Glad we have pitbikes.
Lastly, next time you build a track put trees around it so people cant see it.
Make sure that if there are any ditches, you have some silt fence up to make it look like you’re conscience.
A private track here in Florida incurred over $100k in fines/fees from DEP and SWIFTMUD.
Post a reply to: Environuts called my private track in.