Forest Hill Industrial Park Penalized By MDE For Sediment Control Violations

From the Maryland Department of the Environment:

The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) announced 39 recent enforcement actions seeking penalties totaling $758,710 for alleged violations of MDE requirements for water, land, and air and radiation management – including a $3,000 penalty against Forest Hill Industrial Airpark.

Forest Hill Industrial Airpark, Inc. – Harford County: On October 14, 2009, Forest Hill Industrial Park paid a penalty settlement of $3,000 to the Sediment Control Fund for alleged violations including failure to obtain coverage under the General Permit for Stormwater Associated with Construction Activity prior to beginning construction, as well as the failure to maintain adequate sediment controls, allowing soil and sediment to enter the outfall to Bynum Run.

State Law requires that a person hold a State Discharge Permit before they may construct, install, modify, extend, alter, or operate any outlet or establishment that may discharge pollutants to waters of the State, including surface waters, groundwaters, and wetlands. Discharge permits are issued to such establishments as industrial and commercial operations, sewage treatment plants, animal feeding operations, and construction sites. Discharge permits typically include permittee self-monitoring and reporting requirements as well as operational restrictions, best management practices, and effluent limitations for discharges from the site to prevent violations of water quality standards in the receiving waters and harm aquatic resources and public health.

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.