Md. levies $1.6 million in pollution fines vs. 25 companies, people

Eastern Shore country club, Laurel gravel mine get biggest penalties

An Eastern Shore country club accused of polluting the Choptank River and a Laurel gravel pit targeted for development are among 25 businesses and individuals fined a total of $1.6 million recently for alleged pollution violations, the Maryland Department of the Environment announced Monday.

The state filed suit in June against BSJ Partners LLC charging that Clearview at Horn's Point, formerly the Cambridge Country Club, has been illegally discharging sewage from its on-site septic system into the Choptank, a Chesapeake Bay tributary. The Dorchester County club also was accused of failing to file required reports on discharges from its swimming pool. The suit seeks an immediate halt to the discharges, in addition to a penalty of $790,000.

The agency also cited Laurel Sand & Gravel Inc. and 1325 G Street Associates of Laurel for sediment control violations at the mining operation at the junction of Van Dusen Road and Interstate 95. The surface mine is to be part of the large Konterra mixed-use development planned near the eastern end of the Inter-County Connector highway, the environment agency said. The state is seeking $170,000 in fines for past violations.

Calls to BSJ Partners, Laurel Sand & Gravel and 1325 G Street Associates seeking comment were not returned.

[e-mail]

Text NEWS to 70701 to get Baltimore Sun local news text alerts