States News Service
States News Service
October 7, 2010
The following information was released by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE):
The Maryland Department of the Environment today announced 23 recent major enforcement actions seeking penalties totaling more than $460,000 for alleged violations of MDE requirements for water, air and radiation management, and land.
“The Maryland Department of the Environment’s top priority is to protect public health and our environment, and a consistent baseline of enforcement actions prevents further pollution and risks to public health,” said MDE Secretary Shari T. Wilson. “The vast majority of Maryland businesses that are in compliance deserve to have environmental laws fairly applied across the board.”
Water Pollution Enforcement Actions
Title 9 of the Environment Article prohibits the discharge of any pollutant into waters of the State, unless such discharge is in compliance with the terms, conditions, and requirements of a discharge permit.
Earth disturbances that exceed one acre are required to obtain a Permit for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Construction Activity from MDE. The Permit requires that an approved erosion and sediment control plan be obtained and implemented and that self-monitoring inspections occur and that a log of such inspections be maintained….
…Synergics Wind Energy, Roth Rock Wind Power Project – Garrett County: On August 25, 2010, MDE issued a Site Complaint and Stop-Work Order to Synergics Wind Energy, LLC and their contractor, White Construction, Inc., for alleged sediment control violations at the Roth Rock Wind Power construction project. The Order required that all work cease except that necessary to implement the approved erosion and sediment control plan. The Stop-Work Order was subsequently lifted on September 9, 2010, following an MDE inspection that confirmed the site had returned to compliance.
