Major Changes in OCRM Permits

It is no secret that development along the South Carolina coast is booming. Opportunities are bringing in developers and contractors who are new to the area as well as causing increased growth in existing companies. Many who are new to or becoming more involved in the development industry are often unaware of the requirements contained in the Permit to Construct issued by the Office of Coastal Resource Management (OCRM).

 

Under new legislation, enacted September 1, 2006, the regulations governing the OCRM permit have become even more stringent and will have a significant effect on construction projects in South Carolinaís coastal counties.

 

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If you would like to learn more about changes to the NPDES Construction General Permit or discuss specific project needs, please send an email to kseipel-parks@wardedwards.com

 

Easing Construction-Related Headaches 

The Problem:  The challenges involved with successfully completing site construction projects according to a planned design and schedule can cause major headaches to clients and engineers alike. 

 

The Solution:  To improve the process and assure our clients the high level of satisfaction they seek, Ward Edwards has made an investment in people.  Project management teams at Ward Edwards are staffed with a Construction Consultant (CC). Our CCs are seasoned construction veterans and play a significant role in our promise to deliver Healthy Community to our clients.  They are experienced in the installation of underground utilities, roadway paving, grading, and erosion and sediment control regulatory practices, and a variety of construction processes.

 

What is the role of the Construction Consultant?

The CC enters into a project through our Quality Control process, working with engineers to develop engineering construction drawings and documents.    Communication is paramount as the CC collaborates with the engineer, client, and contractor under the management of the project manager.  The CC monitors construction progress including utility testing for conformance to the engineering design and for compliance to materials and workmanship specifications. 

 

What is the benefit?

All construction permits for a project require a submittal package and subsequent inspections to obtain final acceptance of conformance to design. This final phase of the project is as rigorous as the initial permitting process during the engineering phase. CCís apply a high level of organization and attention to detail to drive adherence to schedule through site visits, progress reports, recommendations to engineers, and high quality comprehensive documentation to facilitate efficient project closeout with the numerous permit granting agencies and jurisdictions.    

 

Meet our Construction Consultants...

 

 

Greg Brace, CC

Construction related demands on our clients are significant.  Personnel management, construction costs, financing, cash flow, safety, quality, and community issues can consume clientsí time, while many are also running a business.   The CC plays a very important role in communication to our clients.

    

                                                                   

 David Fortson, CC

Project design and construction issues continue to grow with increasing legal documentation requirements, adherence to rules and regulations, and the total number of permits required in difficult environmental conditions. Coordination with the many parties involved, new technology in construction, an increasing number of specialty contractors, all add to the growing complexity of coordination and management of a project. The CC is a significant player in the conformance to design and successful project completion.

 

 

Bobby Kreps, CC

We exercise diligent attention to detail in our documentation and field operations. We conduct thorough reviews to detect and correct problems in advance of development. We have extensive experience working with state agencies in the permitting process to minimize costly construction conflicts and delays. Should problems occur, we demonstrate our ability to find practical and innovative solutions, working as a team with client and contractor.

 

                                                                       

 Samantha Allen, CC

We understand the importance of the construction process and our efforts to deliver success to our clientsí projects.  The Ward Edwards CC is a focused team members dedicated to full-time field observation and efficient project closeout.