CLA Volunteer Helps South River Federation Achieve Cleanup of Dump Site

A consent decree was entered February 10 in the enforcement action brought by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) and the South River Federation (SRF) against the owners of a former dump and landfill for illegal storage of over 100,000 scrap tires in violation of state scrap tire and water pollution control laws.  The Boehm landfill is located in Crownsville, MD along a tributary of the South River.  MDE was advised that the tires presented a fire hazard that posed a threat to the ecosystems of nearby creeks and streams.  CLA volunteer attorney Larry Liebesman, of Holland & Knight, represented SRF in the litigation and was instrumental in urging MDE to reinvestigate the situation and enforce the existing agreement with the Boehms to clean up the site.  The consent decree requires the removal of the tires, located in three separate ravines, restoration of wetlands and other site features impacted by the tires, use restrictions on the landfill areas of the site, and placement in conservation of 37.42 acres of the site through the Maryland Environmental Trust.

Photo Courtesy of the South River Federation