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Handy Trucking & Bobcat Services Penalized $11,000 for Wetlands Violations

Island contractor excavated 11,600 square feet of freshwater marsh without the proper permits.

An Island contractor was fined $11,000 for failure to comply with the Wetlands Protection Act.

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection announced today that it fined Handy Trucking & Bobcat Services, LLC $11,000 for Wetlands Protection Act violations that occurred at a residence on West Chop Lane in Tisbury.

The Edgartown contractor failed to assess the wetlands resource area and excavated 11,600 square feet  of freshwater marsh, according to a press release from Mass DEP.

"There is no reason for an experienced and knowledgeable contractor to either fail to follow, or ignore their responsibility, in complying with the Wetlands Protection Act," said Elizabeth Kouloheras, chief of the Wetlands Program at MassDEP's Southeast Regional Office in Lakeville in the press release. "The property owner in 2006 had obtained an order of conditions from the Tisbury Conservation Commission that clearly delineated the wetland and upland boundaries on the property, and yet the contractor violated it by working in a wetland area that was clearly restricted."

Handy Trucking agreed to cease all activities at those portions of the property under wetlands jurisdiction until all necessary permits and plans are in hand before performing work in any wetland resource areas, according to the press release.

"Handy Trucking will also pay $4,500 of the assessed penalty and MassDEP agrees to suspend the remaining $6,500 provided all conditions are met and no additional violations occur for a period of three years," stated the press release.
  

 

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