The majority of the Department’s enforcement and compliance activities involve working with permit holders to correct minor deficiencies with no formal enforcement action or financial penalties. When inspections reveal a significant violation, or when minor violations recur and become significant, enhanced actions may include penalties, corrective orders, injunctions, and, in some cases, criminal sanctions.

Enforcement of criminal violations of environmental laws is handled by the Environmental Crimes Unit of the Office of the Attorney General.

Below are recent enforcement actions brought to a resolution with financial penalties of $10,000 or more.

Land Pollution Enforcement Actions

Crow Haven, LLC – Dorchester County
On May 27, 2025, MDE entered into a consent decree to resolve alleged violations of Maryland’s lead law. The defendant agreed to a $15,000 penalty.

Water Pollution Enforcement Actions

WSSC Potomac Water Filtration Plant – Montgomery County
On May 12, 2025, MDE issued $187,600 in stipulated penalties to resolve violations of a consent decree that occurred in 2024. The penalty was paid in full.

Thompson et al. – Washington County
On May 27, 2025, MDE and Terry Thompson, Ronald Charles, Georgene Charles, and Donald Bragunier entered into a settlement agreement and consent order to resolve alleged water pollution violations in Clear Spring from September 2021 to September 2024. The agreement includes a $50,000 penalty.

Gillis Gilkerson – Worcester County
On June 18, 2025, MDE issued a $28,000 penalty to resolve alleged water pollution violations at the Hyatt Place West site in February, March, and April 2024. The penalty was paid in full.

City of Westminster – Carroll County
On May 8, 2025, MDE issued a $26,700 stipulated penalty for violations of Consent Agreement CO-12-1522 that occurred from October 2022 to July 2023. The penalty was paid in full.

Oak Crest Center – St. Mary’s County
On April 25, 2025, MDE issued a $25,000 penalty settlement to resolve alleged sediment pollution violations from December 2023 through April 2024. The penalty was paid in full.

Chelsea Distribution Center – Harford County
On May 29, 2025, MDE issued a $25,000 penalty settlement to resolve alleged sediment and water pollution violations from May 2024 through November 2024. The penalty was paid in full.

Toll Mid-Atlantic LP Company, Inc. (Kings Forest) – Howard County
On May 12, 2025, MDE issued a $23,040 penalty to resolve alleged water pollution violations at the Kings Forest site in 2023 and 2024. The penalty was paid in full.

Pessoa Construction – Baltimore County
On April 25, 2025, MDE issued an $18,606 penalty settlement to resolve alleged violations of the General Permit for Stormwater Associated with Construction Activity from July 2023 through June 2024 at the Gray Manor Sewershed Lynch Road construction site. The penalty was paid in full.

Fleming Transportation Corporation – Baltimore City
On May 12, 2025, MDE issued a $15,000 penalty settlement to resolve alleged unpermitted discharges from at least 2019 through September 10, 2024. The penalty is to be paid in full by January 2026.

Howard County Bureau of Wastewater – Howard County
On June 5, 2025, MDE issued a $10,684 penalty settlement to resolve sanitary sewer overflows and unauthorized discharges from January 2024 through December 2024. The penalty was paid in full.

Charles County Department of Public Works – Charles County
On May 29, 2025, MDE issued a $10,600 stipulated penalty to resolve effluent limit violations at the Mattawoman Wastewater Treatment Plant from November 2022 through December 2024, consistent with a consent order issued by MDE. The penalty was paid in full.

Adell Plastics, Inc. – Baltimore County
On May 12, 2025, MDE issued a $10,157 penalty to resolve alleged discharge permit violations in August and September 2024. The penalty was paid in full.

zTrip / Yellow Transportation – Baltimore City
On June 25, 2025, MDE issued a $10,000 penalty settlement to resolve alleged water pollution violations. The penalty is to be paid in full by April 2026.

Contact Information

Office of Communications
410-537-3003​