Liberty Village Devs Hit $300,000 Fine Over Wetland Destruction

Construction moguls in Lynchburg, Va., are facing a $300,000 fine for reportedly violating federal water laws during the Liberty Village housing project’s development. Federal prosecutors have cracked down on the developers, including Savoy Senior Housing Corporation and SDB Construction Inc., after allegations that they unleashed pollutants into U.S. waters without proper permits.

The feds claim that the defendants buried streams and filled wetlands, key flood control areas for the region. The construction activities, which spanned from 2001 to 2003, led to the destruction of over 3,700 feet of stream and wetlands at the headwaters of the Roanoke and James Rivers.

The damage doesn’t stop there; it’s alleged that silt and sediment were discharged into nearby streams, ultimately impacting Pine Lake and its downstream ecosystem. The harm is significant, with water now flowing faster and at higher temperatures, posing threats to aquatic life.

Liberty Ridge LLC, the current property owner not implicated in the violations, has agreed to contribute $250,000 for on-site restoration work. The defendants will also fork over $825,000 for regional stream and wetland restoration projects. The restoration plan includes stream restoration, pond enhancement, planting installations, and invasive species removal.

The consent decree, now subject to a 30-day public comment period and final court approval, outlines strict measures to prevent future disturbances of the restoration area. A copy of the decree is available on the Department of Justice website, where further information on wetlands and stormwater permitting can also be found.

For those seeking details on this environmental crime case, visit http://www.usdoj.gov/enrd/Consent_Decrees.html for more information.