In an important stand to reduce harmful polluted runoff from entering the Gunpowder River in Harford County, Maryland’s Office of the Attorney General, on behalf of Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), filed a legal complaint today against developers of the Ridgley’s Reserve housing development for ongoing water pollution violations.
This action follows the Gunpowder Riverkeeper’s—represented by Chesapeake Legal Alliance (CLA)—recent ‘Notice of Intent’ to sue the development under the Clean Water Act in August.
Ridgley’s Reserve in Joppatowne, Maryland, includes more than 100 acres along Foster Branch cleared for residential homes. When the project began in 2022, all trees and vegetation were removed simultaneously, exposing soil to the elements and making sediment extremely susceptible to runoff. The developers continuously violated federal and state law by failing to keep the soil from washing off into Foster Branch and the Gunpowder River.
Residents describe the Gunpowder as running orange with mud. In 2023, despite Bay-wide increases, underwater grasses were found to have declined 80-87% in the river.
After roughly 30 inspections, MDE detected consistent violations at the site. The complaint filed suggests a financial penalty of up to $25,000 per violation to enforce compliance and to restore the aquatic resources already harmed by pollution.
Paul Smail, Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF)’s Vice President for Litigation, issued the following statement:
“Serial polluters need serious legal and economic consequences.
“After years of noncompliance with environmental law, consistently contaminating Gunpowder River, and harming local communities, it’s time to see Ridgley’s Reserve held accountable. We are pleased to see MDE and the Attorney General take this strong step towards protecting our shared natural resource. Much credit is due to the Gunpowder Riverkeeper and local resident advocates for undoubtedly spurring this action.
“Stormwater runoff remains one of the fastest growing sources of pollution in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. To keep pace with intense development pressure and effects of climate change, Maryland must take strong action if we’re to have a cleaner future.”
