BALTIMORE, MD (April 12, 2007) – “The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) began investigating complaints at a Caroline County site in February, 2006, in which the property owner violated a forest harvesting plan by cutting trees, clearing stumps and grading a 70-acre tract of non-tidal wetlands, violating Maryland’s Non-tidal Wetlands Protection Act.
Property owner Fred Hertrich went beyond the authorized forest harvesting and converted non-tidal wetlands to pasture. MDE has referred the case to our Attorney General’s office for enforcement.
Enforcement is the core of MDE’s mission. In this case, there was an unacceptable delay in time prior to the formal enforcement referral. I announced last Friday that MDE is taking the next 30 days to review all open site complaints and notices of violation and will follow up to ensure appropriate actions are being taken in a timely manner.
We recognize that our resources are limited and our Eastern Shore office is operating with only five inspectors. Last year alone, these inspectors performed more than 3,700 inspections. We are indebted to our inspectors on the front lines in addressing these environmental problems each day. Citizens also play an important role in helping to protect Maryland’s air, water and land resources. I encourage citizens to contact MDE if they see any suspected pollution problems by calling 1-866-MDE-GO-TO (1-866-633-4686) anytime day or night.
While considering MDE’s budget restraints and other issues, we will give priority to enforcement activities where violations are likely to have the greatest public health and environmental impact and then communicate our enforcement activities more clearly.
MDE is also taking a comprehensive review of the department’s fiscal structure, which involves looking at revenue sources and staff resource allocation and needs, including enforcement. We are assessing our priorities according to the current greatest public health and environmental needs, then will realign resources accordingly. MDE is studying variables like federal funding levels and dedicated revenue sources to match them to our highest priority needs.”
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