Santkrupa Realty Corp. Enters into Agreement with MassDEP to Correct Violations of Wetlands Protection Requirements

Santkrupa Realty Corporation, Inc. of Blackstone, has signed a consent order with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) to resolve violations of the Wetlands Protection Act that occurred on commercial property owned by the company, and located off Route 122 in Blackstone. MassDEP assessed a $5,000 penalty for these violations.

Following a request for assistance from the Blackstone Conservation Commission, MassDEP personnel conducted an inspection of the property and observed alteration and cutting of vegetation within a bordering vegetative wetland on the property. They also observed that work within the wetland and the adjacent buffer zone was occurring without the owner having first applied for, or having obtained the required permits.

As a result of negotiations with MassDEP, the owners have agreed through the order to implement an approved restoration plan that will result in the removal of materials in the wetland and adjacent stream channel, installation of a fence to deter future encroachment to the wetland, and monitoring of the vegetative regeneration within the effected wetland resource areas. The owners will hire a wetland specialist to verify that the wetland restoration is complete.

"Property owners have a responsibility to be aware of, and comply with the Wetlands regulations," said Paul Anderson, deputy director of MassDEP's Central Regional Office in Worcester. "Filing with the local conservation commission is the first step they should take to determine what regulatory requirements are applicable to the work on their property."

MassDEP is responsible for ensuring clean air and water, safe management and recycling of solid and hazardous wastes, timely cleanup of hazardous waste sites and spills, and the preservation of wetlands and coastal resources.

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