BALTIMORE, MD (May 30, 2002) – A recent Anne Arundel County Circuit Court decision supported the Maryland Department of the Environment's (MDE) long-standing enforcement efforts against Robert E. Gertz of Crownsville for operating an unpermitted stump dump in Davidsonville for 15 years. On May 23, Judge Ronald A. Silkworth ordered Gertz to pay a fine of $110,925.

In addition to the financial penalty, Gertz is permanently prohibited from operating a refuse disposal or other solid waste acceptance facility without a permit; and, if Gertz does not secure a landfill permit within three months, he must permanently close his landfill within six months following state regulations for proper closure. Future infractions by Gertz may result in increased penalties ordered by the Court.

Richard Collins, Director of the MDE's Waste Management Administration said that this decision may be an important deterrent to others who might try to avoid using permitted facilities to dispose of rubble and landclearing debris.

“This substantial penalty clearly indicates the Department’s willingness to enforce the law against illegal dumpers,” Collins said. “I hope that other illegal dumpers take this as a warning.”

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