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EPA Cites Realtors for Wetlands Violations in Meadville

Release Date: 4/14/2003
Contact Information: Bonnie Smith, 215-814-5543

Bonnie Smith, 215-814-5543

PHILADELPHIA – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has cited a real estate company and three of its partners for unlawfully filling in protected wetlands in Meadville, Pa.

EPA’s administrative complaint proposes a $16,000 penalty against Meadville Real Estate L.P., and partners George Saad, George Maier, and Meadville Associates, Inc., for filling in 2.2 acres of wetlands near a tributary of Van Horn Creek, without a required Clean Water Act permit.

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.

According to EPA, the cited parties applied for a permit as part of the Vernon Town Square commercial development project, but did not wait for permit issuance before filling in the wetlands. The parties have a right to contest the alleged violation and proposed penalty.

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