BALTIMORE (December 4, 2003) – A Crownsville man has paid a $110,925 fine to the Maryland Department of the Environment for operating an unpermitted stump dump in Davidsonville.

Robert E. Gertz paid the fine a year and a half after it was imposed by Judge Ronald A. Silkworth. The dump, which was in operation for 15 years, still has not been closed in accordance with the judge’s order and a contempt hearing is scheduled for January 7, 2004 in Anne Arundel County Circuit Court.

MDE joined a suit originally filed by the Anne Arundel County government for zoning infractions, which was resolved in 2001. In addition to the penalty, MDE sought remedial and monitoring actions that include installation of monitoring wells to detect methane gas generated by the decay of wood within the landfill. Methane was detected at the site.

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