Attorney General Gansler Files First-Ever State Critical Area Criminal Case
Anne Arundel County landowner faces six counts

BALTIMORE, MD ( Sept. 28, 2011) - Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler announced today that his office has filed criminal charges in the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County against William E. Clark, 73, of Severna Park, Maryland for alleged violations of Critical Area regulations.  Pursuant to its authority under the Maryland Annotated Code, the Critical Area Commission for the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays referred the matter to the Office of the Attorney General for investigation and charging, as deemed appropriate. 

Clark has been charged with six misdemeanor criminal counts, including construction without a sediment control plan, clearing trees within a buffer, clearing trees without a permit, malicious destruction of the property of the Olde Severna Park Improvement Association, Inc., and theft of property of the Olde Severna Park Improvement Association, Inc. 

The charges against Clark resulted from alleged tree clearing that took place on his property, as well as Association property, in violation of the critical area and buffer regulations.  The property in question sits on Sullivan Cove in the Severn River.

As a result of the referral provisions in the Maryland Code, the Critical Area Commission and the Office of the Attorney General have developed a working relationship for the referral of cases to be handled by the Attorney General's Office.  This case is the first to be filed under that cooperative effort. 

For more information about the Attorney General's Environmental Crimes Unit visit: http://www.oag.state.md.us/ECU/index.htm

For more information about Maryland's Critical Areas program and Critical Area Commission visit:  http://www.dnr.state.md.us/criticalarea/

A Citizen's Guide to Maryland's Critical Area Program:
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/criticalarea/BaySmartGuide.asp

For an Overview of 2008 Critical Areas Legislation visit:  http://www.dnr.state.md.us/criticalarea/pdfs/052008overviewofhousebill1253.pdf