MEDIA RELEASE: FROM THE PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER

JEANETTE ELEFF - 301-360-3842

CONTACT: Heather Smith, Chief Legal Services Officer. 301-600-1453

Gary Hessong, Director of Permits and Code Management. 301-360-3812

Fred Eisenhart, Director of Public Works. 301-600-1163

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, February 01, 2002

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The City of Frederick has received a Report of Observation from the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE). The report, which was dated January 29, 2002, contained an MDE observer’s review about unauthorized fill placement at the Southwest corner of Monocacy Boulevard and Laurelwood Way. Multiple dump truck loads containing tile, plastic, ceramic, glass, wood debris, ash, dirt, and bricks had been spread on this site. The area involved is on a 100-year floodplain approximately 500 yards from the Monocacy River.

According to the observer, this material is not considered “clean fill” as defined in COMAR 26.04.07.05 c (5). The observer also reported reviewing documentation from the Hazardous Waste Office indicating that the material was tested and found to be non-hazardous. The material was excavated from the site for the future Bionutrient Treatment Plant at the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant.

The report instructs the City to insure that the hauling of such material to this site will stop immediately and that all of the commingled dirt and solid waste will be removed and transported to a permitted landfill for disposal. The City of Frederick is in the process of complying with the instructions.

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