Interstate General Corporation, Wetlands Violation, MD 2000

St. Charles, MD – Interstate General Corporation has been penalized over $1.8 million for illegally filling in protected wetlands during the development of the Dorchester Neighborhood in St. Charles County, Maryland. The case, brought by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), highlights a continued struggle to safeguard vital waterways and ecosystems from unchecked development.

According to court documents, Interstate General knowingly discharged fill material into wetlands adjacent to a stream feeding into the Port Tobacco River, a significant tributary of the Potomac River. The unauthorized filling directly violated the Clean Water Act, a federal law designed to protect the nation’s waters from pollution and maintain the integrity of aquatic ecosystems. Investigators found that the company proceeded with the wetland destruction despite understanding the environmental regulations governing such areas.

The EPA initially charged Interstate General with four counts of violating the Clean Water Act on August 26, 1999. The charges specifically cited sections 33 U.S.C. 1311(a) and 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)(A), which address the unlawful discharge of pollutants and knowing violations of the Act, respectively. Facing mounting evidence, Interstate General entered a guilty plea, paving the way for sentencing.

On November 22, 1999, the court handed down its judgment. Interstate General was ordered to pay a $200 assessment fee and a substantial $1.5 million fine. This fine was structured with a dual component: $1 million to be paid in cash, and the remaining $500,000 to be satisfied through the donation of land earmarked for a wetlands restoration project. This restoration project is a key component of a broader civil settlement, which also includes a separate civil penalty of $360,000.

The case underscores the EPA’s commitment to enforcing environmental regulations, even in the face of development pressures. While the financial penalties are significant, the land donation for restoration aims to mitigate the damage caused by Interstate General’s actions and contribute to the long-term health of the Port Tobacco River watershed. Environmental groups have noted, however, that such penalties, while substantial, often don’t fully account for the irreversible ecological damage caused by wetland loss.

The destruction of wetlands has far-reaching consequences, including increased flood risk, diminished water quality, and habitat loss for numerous plant and animal species. The Port Tobacco River, already facing pressures from agricultural runoff and urban development, is particularly vulnerable. The EPA continues to monitor the restoration project to ensure its success and to deter future violations of the Clean Water Act.

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Key Facts

Defendant: Interstate General Corporation
Location: St. Charles County, Maryland
Crime: Illegal filling of wetlands in violation of the Clean Water Act.
Statutes Violated: 33 U.S.C. 1311(a) & 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)(A)
Penalties: $200 assessment fee, $1.5 million fine ($1 million cash, $500k land donation for restoration), $360,000 civil penalty.
Plea: Guilty
Date of Sentencing: November 22, 1999

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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