WELLDRILLER SENTENCED FOR DRILLING VIOLATION

Attorney General J. Joseph Curran, Jr. announced today that Wayne Eugene Harley, 53, of the 4000 block of Baptist Road, in Taneytown, Maryland, was sentenced in the District Court of Maryland for Carroll County for failing to file a well completion report. Judge Marc G. Rasinsky placed Harley on one year of probation, fined him $250 and ordered him to immediately file the report with the Carroll County Health Department.

Harley failed to file the well completion report with the Carroll County Health Department after drilling a well at a residence located at 3261 Bixler Church Road in the Westminster area of Carroll County in July 2002. Well reports are required by State law because they are essential for local health departments to monitor the condition of underground aquifers and prevent well contamination.

Failing to file a well completion report carries a maximum sentence of three months in jail and/or a $500 fine. Citing the defendant’s lack of any prior criminal record, Judge Rasinsky granted Harley probation before judgment. In the event of any violation of the probation the Court could impose the statutory maximum sentence.

The charges result from a joint investigation conducted by the Environmental Crimes Unit of the Office of the Attorney General and the Maryland State Police with the assistance of the Carroll County Health Department.

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