The Maryland Department of the Environment enforces State and federal environmental laws to protect public health and our land, air, water and wetlands resources.
"Enforcement is an important part of what we do to protect public health and keep our communities clean, and we do this with a balanced and common-sense approach,” said Secretary of the Environment Ben Grumbles. “The Department of the Environment works in collaboration with facilities to ensure they are in compliance with all requirements, but we will go after polluters and impose financial penalties when needed. We are committed to changing Maryland for the better – protecting and restoring our environment while providing businesses with clear expectations and a level playing field among the regulated entities."
The majority of the Department’s enforcement and compliance activities involve working with permit holders to correct any minor deficiencies with no formal enforcement action taken or financial penalties assessed. This assistance may be the most efficient method to achieve compliance. If an inspection reveals a significant violation, or if minor violations continue to recur and become a significant problem, then enhanced actions are warranted. Such action may take the form of penalties, corrective orders, the filing of injunctions and, in some cases, criminal sanctions.
The Department took 6,581 enforcement actions in Fiscal Year 2020, as reported in the
Annual Enforcement and Compliance Report. Below are recent enforcement actions brought to a resolution with financial penalties of $10,000 or more.
Land Pollution Enforcement Actions
Mining
The Mining Program regulates all surface coal and non-coal mining in the State, and the surface effects from deep mining of coal. The purpose of mining permits is to minimize the effects of sediment and other pollution from surface mining. In addition to environmental controls, the permit provides for proper land reclamation and ensures public safety.
Shore Sand & Gravel, LLC – Waldorf, Charles County
On December 9, 2021, MDE issued a Notice of Violation requiring compliance with Maryland’s mining regulations and seeking $20,000 for alleged violations. The Notice of Violation was resolved and paid in full.
Oil Control
The Oil Control Program has highly trained staff to help companies and individuals ensure that their Underground Storage Tanks (USTs) are in compliance with State and federal regulations. All regulated USTs within Maryland are required to be registered through the Underground Storage Tank Notification Program. All USTs storing motor fuels (e.g., gasoline, diesel) must meet specific technical standards (corrosion protection, spill/overfill prevention, leak detection and financial responsibility) or be removed from the ground.
Apex Tank Lines Corporation and Apex-Petroleum Corporation – Baltimore City
On September 23, 2021, MDE entered into a Settlement Agreement and Consent Order to resolve alleged violations of Maryland’s underground storage tank law. The defendant agreed to a $15,000 penalty.
Water pollution enforcement actions
State law 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. A person must hold a discharge permit issued by MDE before the person may construct, install, modify, extend, alter or operate any facility or disposal system or any other outlet or establishment if its operation could cause or increase the discharge of pollutants into waters of the State.
State law requires that any activity involving earth disturbance over one acre requires a General Permit for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Construction Activity. This permit requires the implementation of an approved erosion and sediment control plan prior to performing earth grading operations as well as self-monitoring inspections of the erosion and sediment controls.
State law requires that, prior to performing construction activity, a person obtain and implement a Soil Conservation District-approved erosion and sediment control plan for any proposed land clearing or earth disturbance greater than 5,000 square feet that must be maintained for the life of the project. It is unlawful for any person to introduce soil or sediment into waters of the State or to place soil or sediment in a condition or location where it is likely to be washed into waters of the State.
Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) - Prince George’s and Montgomery counties
On October 25, 2021, MDE issued $62,475 in stipulated penalties to WSSC to resolve sanitary sewer overflows that occurred in Prince George’s County and Montgomery County in 2020. The penalty has been paid in full.
Triple Crown Corporation, Brant Court, Talbot County
On October 22, 2021, MDE issued a penalty settlement in the amount of $35,000 to Triple Crown Corporation. The penalty resolved alleged sediment and erosion control and sediment pollution violations and alleged violations of the general permit for stormwater associated with construction activity that occurred in 2021 at the Brant Court construction project. The penalty has been paid in full.
Howard County Department of Public Works - Howard County
On October 20, 2021, MDE issued $32,000 in stipulated penalties the Howard County Department of Public Works to resolve sanitary sewer overflows that occurred from June 2019 through December 2020 in Howard County, in accordance with the terms of a settlement agreement. The penalty has been paid in full.
Epping Forest Water Works - Anne Arundel County
On July 15, 2021, MDE and Epping Forest, Inc. entered into a Settlement Agreement and Consent Order to establish a plan and schedule for upgrades to the wastewater treatment at the Epping Forest water works facility. The agreement included a penalty of $27,000 to resolve alleged effluent violations that occurred at the facility. The penalty has been paid in full.
Curtis Bay Medical Waste Services - Baltimore City
On October 7, 2021, MDE issued a penalty settlement in the amount of $22,510 to Curtis Bay Medical Waste Services, LLC. The penalty resolved unauthorized discharges and alleged violations of the stormwater permit for 3200 Hawkins Point Road in Baltimore that occurred in 2019 and 2020. The penalty has been paid in full.
Deckman LLC - Calvert County
On July 26, 2021, MDE issued a penalty settlement in the amount of $13,370 to Deckman LLC. The penalty resolved alleged sediment and erosion control violations at Oakville Phase II in Chesapeake Beach that occurred in 2019. The penalty has been paid in full.
St. John Properties, Inc. - St. Mary’s County
On December 22, 2021, MDE issued a penalty settlement in the amount of $12,123 to St. John Properties, Inc. The penalty resolved alleged sediment and erosion control and sediment pollution violations and alleged violations of the general permit For stormwater associated with construction activity that occurred in 2020 at the Oak Crest Center Phase-1 construction project. The penalty has been paid in full.
Contact Information
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