OGDEN — Businesses that pollute the Ogden and Weber rivers could face fines under a new ordinance that brings the city in compliance with federal law.
Properties along the rivers must be free of trash, excessive vegetation and other obstacles that would contaminate or significantly affect the flow of water, according to an ordinance approved Tuesday by the City Council.
Violators could be found guilty of a misdemeanor and face fines of up to $1,000 per day.
The law also requires a permit before construction activity disturbs more than 5,000 square feet of land. The permit is aimed at preventing soil from washing into Ogden's stormwater system and into waterways.
"These types of ordinances are politically difficult, but from an environmental standpoint are necessary," said Mayor Matthew Godfrey, who hasn't heard complaints from businesses.
"It could be they aren't commenting because they are afraid of implicating themselves," he said.
Auto parts and other debris have turned up in the Ogden River, west of Wall Avenue. It hasn't been determined who dumped them there.
The cost of erosion-control permits — $100 for more than an acre plus monthly fees — should not hurt developers because many already include anti-erosion strategies in their projects, said Andrea Lockwood, a city attorney.