Mountain Park Area Developer Issued a $15,400 Penalty,
Ordered to Restore Wetland Resources in Holyoke

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) issued a $15,400 penalty to Mountain Park LLC for cutting and clearing 15,050 square feet of vegetation within a Bordering Vegetated Wetland (BVW), in violation of the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act.

On December 9, 2008, Mountain Park, located on Mount Tom Ski Road in Holyoke, conducted tree cutting and clearing activity without prior submission of a Notice of Intent as is required under the Wetlands Protection Act. In response to a request for assistance from the Holyoke Conservation Commission, MassDEP investigated the activities. MassDEP and the conservation commission confirmed that the violation took place and the BVW was impacted as a result.

MassDEP ordered Mountain Park to fully restore all vegetation within the BVW and pay the penalty. Mountain Park will pay $9,000 of the fine; the remaining $6,400 of the penalty will be suspended contingent upon Mountain Park complying with the terms of the order to restore the wetlands.

"The permitting process is in place to prevent detrimental impacts to important resources such as wetlands from occurring," said Michael Gorski, director of MassDEP’s Western Regional Office in Springfield. "A site survey and early planning, including contacting the local conservation commission or MassDEP, are critical first steps toward protection of these valuable resource areas for many construction projects."

###