Press Release  MassDEP Issues Fine for Wetlands Violations in Mendon

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has issued a $60,000 penalty to Rte. 85 Realty Corp. for violating wetlands regulations at its property located at 134 North Avenue in Mendon. 

In April 2024, MassDEP responded to a request for assistance from the Mendon Conservation Commission. A portion of the Rte. 85 Realty property includes wetlands bordering a pond on the western edge of the property and the Commission alleged that alterations were visible on a publicly available aerial image. MassDEP inspected the site and confirmed that construction work had occurred within legally protected wetland areas on Rte. 85 Realty’s property without required approvals.    

“Prior review and permitting is necessary to ensure compliance with the Wetlands Protection Act,” said Andrea Briggs, acting director of MassDEP’s Central Regional Office in Worcester. “Developers who fail to go through preconstruction review often cause unnecessary and harmful impacts to important wetland resource areas.”  

Rte. 85 Realty entered into an agreement with MassDEP to restore the altered wetland resource areas and pay the $60,000 penalty.

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