BALTIMORE COUNTY MAN CHARGED FOR WETLANDS AND SEDIMENT VIOLATIONS IN ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY

The Office of the Attorney General announced today that a Baltimore County man has been charged for wetlands and sediment violations. C. Richard Edgar Benson, 36, is charged with performing construction without an approved sediment control plan, and with two counts of conducting unauthorized activities on a tidal wetland, on the north side of Arundel on the Bay Road at Thomas Point Road, Anne Arundel County, Maryland.

The charging document alleges that Benson dredged and filled private tidal wetlands at that location on or about October 20, 2003. Performing construction without an approved sediment control plan is a misdemeanor that carries a potential maximum penalty of one year in prison and/or $10,000. Each count of conducting unauthorized activities in a tidal wetland is a misdemeanor that carries a potential maximum penalty of a $10,000.

A charging document is merely an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The charges result from an investigation by the Environmental Crimes Unit of the Attorney General’s Office and the Anne Arundel County Department of Inspections and Permits, with the assistance of the Water Management Administration of the Maryland Department of the Environment and the Maryland State Police.
Benson’s initial appearance is scheduled for March 29 in the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County.

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