The state Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has assessed M&M Realty Trust a $14,000 penalty for wetland protection act violations on property it owns between 21-41 Argyle St. in Winthrop.

An inspection by MassDEP in October 2009 determined the alterations totaled 6,500 square feet of a wetlands resource area important for flood control within the Rumney Marsh, a location also designated as an area of critical environmental concern (ACEC).

"The trust was working on its property, but during this project, they illegally filled in a wetlands resource area, an activity for which it had not obtained nor sought approval," said Richard Chalpin, director of MassDEP’s northeast regional office in Wilmington. "The outcome of this unfortunate incident is that the owners now acknowledge the need to repair the damage that was done to this coastal wetlands area."

Because the violations involved filling a wetlands area on an abutter’s property as well, the agreement also requires M & M Realty Trust to obtain permission to conduct work on the abutter’s property. M&M will conduct a surveyed site plan for restoration and prepare a schedule, which will then be submitted to MassDEP for final approval.

The trust agreed to pay $6,500 of the penalty and MassDEP has agreed to suspend the remaining $7,500 of the penalty if the trust fully complies with all terms of the order, including three years of site restoration monitoring.