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New Tripoli, Pa. Property Owner Settles EPA Wetlands Complaint

Release Date: 9/24/2003
Contact Information: Bonnie Smith 215-814-5543

Contact: Bonnie Smith (215) 814-5543
PHILADELPHIA – The owner of property in New Tripoli, Pa., containing federally protected wetlands, will pay a $3,500 penalty to settle alleged Clean Water Act violations, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today.

In a consent agreement with EPA, property owner Cathy Milder agreed to pay the penalty for wetlands violations by her former tenant, Mobile Experts Inc., which declared bankruptcy in September 2002. EPA alleged that Mobile Experts did not have a required permit before filling in about a quarter-acre of wetlands during the construction of a parking lot.

Ms. Milder has already restored the damaged wetlands. The settlement penalty takes into account her cooperation and compliance efforts. As part of the settlement, Ms. Milder neither admitted nor denied liability for the alleged violations.

Under the Clean Water Act, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit is required before dredged or fill material may be discharged into wetlands areas. The permit requirement is designed to minimize the destruction of wetlands, which serve a number of critical environmental and economic functions -- including flood control, water filtration, and wildlife habitat.

For more information about wetlands and permitting requirements, check out https://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/ Compliance assistance to landowners is also available at
https://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/landasst.html.