CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- An Arkansas developer has agreed to pay more than $500,000 in fines for stormwater pollution violations at several housing projects, including the Glade Springs Village in Raleigh County, federal officials said.

Cooper Land Development Inc. agreed to the $513,470 deal to resolve a federal court lawsuit filed against it last year by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Under the settlement, Cooper Land Development must implement a company-wide stormwater compliance program. That program must provide for improved environmental performance and increased oversight at its operations at current and future construction sites.

EPA lawyers sued Cooper Land in U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., after federal inspectors found the company had violated stormwater permits issued by state authorities in West Virginia, Arkansas and Missouri.

The lawsuit alleged that Cooper Land had "failed to conduct and document inspections" at Glade Springs Village, as required by state pollution permits.

The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection had cited Cooper Land for repeated problems at Glade Springs, including starting work without a stormwater pollution prevention plan, failing to control erosion and allowing polluted runoff to enter area streams. Enforcement actions in 2003, 2004 and 2005 were settled by DEP officials for a total of $17,410 in fines, according to court records.

In May 2007, Gov. Joe Manchin presented Cooper Land with an award for environmental stewardship for the company's "efforts to preserve green spaces and control stormwater runoff."

Located near Daniels, Glade Springs Village is anchored by Glade Springs Resort. Cooper Land began a second round of home construction in 2005, with properties ranging from $250,000 to $1 million.

Founded in 1954, Cooper employs more than 600 people in projects across eight states. Throughout its subsidiaries, the company develops timeshare resorts and planned communities, owns and manages more than 3.5 million square feet of commercial property, and has attracted more than 130,000 owner families.

On its Web site, Cooper Land bills itself as "creator of some of the most beautiful communities in the South.

"Since 1954, we've held with the philosophy that you shouldn't have to compromise when it comes to your land," the company says. "It really is possible to have outstanding recreation and respect for nature, privacy and good neighbors, convenience and beautiful surroundings."

Cooper Land Development Inc. agreed to the $513,470 deal to resolve a federal court lawsuit filed against it last year by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Under the settlement, Cooper Land Development must implement a company-wide stormwater compliance program. That program must provide for improved environmental performance and increased oversight at its operations at current and future construction sites.

EPA lawyers sued Cooper Land in U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., after federal inspectors found the company had violated stormwater permits issued by state authorities in West Virginia, Arkansas and Missouri.

The lawsuit alleged that Cooper Land had "failed to conduct and document inspections" at Glade Springs Village, as required by state pollution permits.

The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection had cited Cooper Land for repeated problems at Glade Springs, including starting work without a stormwater pollution prevention plan, failing to control erosion and allowing polluted runoff to enter area streams. Enforcement actions in 2003, 2004 and 2005 were settled by DEP officials for a total of $17,410 in fines, according to court records.

In May 2007, Gov. Joe Manchin presented Cooper Land with an award for environmental stewardship for the company's "efforts to preserve green spaces and control stormwater runoff."

Located near Daniels, Glade Springs Village is anchored by Glade Springs Resort. Cooper Land began a second round of home construction in 2005, with properties ranging from $250,000 to $1 million.

Founded in 1954, Cooper employs more than 600 people in projects across eight states. Throughout its subsidiaries, the company develops timeshare resorts and planned communities, owns and manages more than 3.5 million square feet of commercial property, and has attracted more than 130,000 owner families.

On its Web site, Cooper Land bills itself as "creator of some of the most beautiful communities in the South.

"Since 1954, we've held with the philosophy that you shouldn't have to compromise when it comes to your land," the company says. "It really is possible to have outstanding recreation and respect for nature, privacy and good neighbors, convenience and beautiful surroundings."