AG Brown and Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Serena McIlwain today announced a $4.1 million settlement to resolve a lawsuit against the Ridgely’s Reserve housing development for water pollution that harmed the Gunpowder River. The settlement with the developer, homebuilder, and contractor over muddy runoff from the construction site requires enhanced measures to prevent pollution and achieve compliance with environmental laws. It also includes a $2 million civil penalty and another $2.1 million for community-driven remediation projects to improve water quality and restore aquatic habitats in the Foster Branch and Gunpowder River drainage basins. 

“Maryland’s rivers and streams are public resources that belong to every resident of this State, not dumping grounds for construction runoff. This settlement holds polluters accountable and directs meaningful funding into the communities and waterways that were harmed." -AG Brown