The Maryland Department of the Environment enforces State and federal environmental laws to protect public health and our land, air, water and wetlands resources.
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.
Below are recent enforcement actions brought to a resolution with financial penalties of $10,000 or more.
Air Pollution and Radiation Enforcement Actions
The Department of the Environment’s Air and Radiation Administration ensures that all citizens and businesses are meeting the requirements of the federal Clean Air Act as well as Maryland’s air pollution control laws. The administration oversees air pollution monitoring, planning and control programs to improve and maintain air quality and a radiation control program to protect the public and occupational workers from unnecessary exposure to radiation from medical equipment and other devices, in conformance with federal and state law.
Holcim Cement – Baltimore County
On September 27, 2023, MDE signed a settlement agreement with the Holcim Cement Plant on the Sparrows Point property for alleged violations of air pollution requirements. Holcim failed a routinely required stack test. Under the agreement, Holcim paid a $50,000 penalty and retested to demonstrate a return to compliance.
Middle River Air Systems – Baltimore County
On July 19, 2023, MDE issued a $11,000 penalty to Middle River Air Systems (MRAS) to address alleged violations of air pollution regulations. MRAS exceeded volatile organic compound and particulate matter emission limitations. MRAS has paid the penalty and returned to compliance.
Land Pollution Enforcement Actions
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.
Pilot Corporation/Pilot Travel Centers, LLC – Cecil County
On July 12, 2023, MDE issued a Notice of Violation requiring compliance with Maryland’s underground storage tank law and seeking $15,000 for alleged violations.The Notice of Violation was resolved and paid in full.
Lead Poisoning Prevention
The Department of the Environment’s Lead Poisoning Prevention Program serves as the coordinating agency for statewide efforts to eliminate childhood lead poisoning. Under the 1994 "Reduction of Lead Risk in Housing Act,” the Department assures compliance with mandatory requirements for lead risk reduction in rental units built before 1978, maintains a statewide listing of registered and inspected units and provides blood lead surveillance through a registry of test results of all children tested in Maryland. Alleged violations typically involve a failure to register properties or meet lead risk-reduction standards. The following actions were for properties alleged to be out of compliance with lead risk-reduction standards:
Getachew Negash – Prince George’s County:
On July 28, 2023, MDE entered into a settlement agreement and consent order to resolve alleged violations of Maryland’s Lead law. The defendant agreed to a penalty of $14,000. The penalty has been paid in full.
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 a person hold a discharge permit issued by the Maryland Department of the Environment 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.
Town of Elkton Wastewater Treatment Facility - Cecil County
On May 31, 2023, MDE issued a $75,000 penalty settlement to resolve alleged violations of the General Conditions of State Discharge Permit, alleged violations of permit effluent limits and the exceedance of the annual maximum loading rate limit for total nitrogen for 2022. The penalty was paid in full.
Darling Ingredients - Dorchester County
On July 26, 2023, MDE issued a $35,174 penalty settlement to resolve a pressurized chicken fat spill violation at the former Valley Proteins poultry processing facility on July 9, 2022. The penalty was paid in full.
Regency Manor Mobile Home Park - Calvert County
On August 31, 2023, MDE entered into an administrative consent order and settlement Agreement with SHRI Limited Partnership, to resolve alleged violations at Regency Manor Mobile Home Park. The agreement requires the permittee to continue pumping and hauling all wastewater generated until a disposal system is constructed and fully operational. The agreement also includes a $20,000 penalty. The penalty was paid in full.
Howard County Department of Public Works - Howard County
On September 20, 2023, MDE issued a $16,339 penalty settlement to the Howard County Department of Public Works to resolve alleged effluent and groundwater limit violations at the Peddicord Shared Sewage Disposal Facility from December 2018 through December 2022. The penalty was paid in full.
Camz Corporation - Baltimore County
On July 06, 2023, MDE issued a $15,000 penalty settlement to resolve alleged violations of the General Permit for Discharges from Stormwater Associated with Industrial Activities from September 2020 through April 2021. The penalty was paid in full.
Youth’s Benefit Elementary School - Harford County
On August 31, 2023, MDE issued a $14,268 penalty settlement to resolve alleged discharge permit violations from October 2018 through December 2022. The penalty was paid in full.
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