The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has levied fines of $8,000 and $6,000 to developers in Southborough and West Springfield, respectively.

The $8,000 penalty was given to Leslie S. Carey, trustee of the Brendon Properties Five Realty Trust of Southborough, to resolve violations of the Wetlands Protection Act. The violations occurred during construction of a real-estate subdivision located off Green and South streets in Shrewsbury.

MassDEP representatives inspected the property in July 2008 and observed that the discharge of silt and sediment-laden runoff water from exposed, unstable soils had resulted in stream and wetland alterations. This activity was carried out in violation of the wetlands permit issued by the Shrewsbury Conservation Commission.

Based on negotiations with MassDEP, Carey and the Brendon Properties Trust have agreed to an order that requires implementation of an erosion and sedimentation control plan to prevent further damage, and a wetland restoration plan to restore the altered wetland resource areas. All work will be supervised by a wetlands specialist and must be completed by April 30, 2009.

West Meadow Homes Inc. was fined $6,000 for wetlands violations during construction of the Griffin Estates residential development on Piper Road in West Springfield. MassDEP also ordered West Meadow to stabilize the site to prevent erosion. On June 11, 2008, MassDEP officials inspected the site in response to a request for assistance by the commission. MassDEP’s inspection confirmed that the construction was not in compliance with the commission’s permit and enforcement order. On June 24, 2008, MassDEP ordered West Meadow to cease construction and comply with the commission’s permit and order.

MassDEP recently issued a second order requiring West Meadow to stabilize the site by March 30, 2009 as a result of continued noncompliance with the original permit and order issued by the commission and with the MassDEP order.