EPA v. PATUXENT MHC, LLC AND HORIZON LAND MANAGEMENT, LLC (PATUXENT WWTP)

Case summary

On August 29, 2024, Region 3 entered into four Consent Agreements and Final Orders with Horizon Land Management, LLC, ( Horizon ) and four of the Manufactured Home Communities ( MHCs ) it manages: Boone's Estates MHC, LLC ( Boone's ), Lyons Creek MHC, LLC ( Lyons Creek ), Maryland Manor MHC, LLC ( Maryland Manor ), and Patuxent MHC, LLC ( Patuxent ) located in Ann Arundel County, Maryland. The Wastewater Treatment Plants at each MHC have had numerous exceedances since January 2019, malfunctioning equipment and infrastructure, lack of proper operation and maintenance, and missing or late flow reporting. Boone's also has violations of visible foam and scum, and mishandling of sludge. Lyons Creek also had violations of visible foam and scum and an unauthorized discharge point. The Consent Agreements require that that Boone's and Horizon pay a civil penalty of $323,081, Lyons Creek and Horizon pay a civil penalty of $323,081, Maryland Manor and Horizon pay a civil penalty of $210,000 and Patuxent and Horizon pay a civil penalty of $280,000. Region 3 has already entered into four Administrative Orders on Consent with the Respondents on December 11, 2023 to make repairs and return the Wastewater Treatment Plants to compliance. During the comment period for the CAFOs, EPA received four sets of comments, and responded to the comments in accordance with 40 C.F.R. 22.45. The Maryland Department of the Environment was informed of and assisted with this enforcement matter. EPA considers the MHC communities, located in Lothian and Harwood, Maryland, to be EJ communities of concern.

Defendants (2)

• HORIZON LAND MANAGEMENT, LLCNamed in complaintNamed in settlement
• PATUXENT MHC, LLCNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (2)

• PATUXENT WWTP

  5380 SANDS ROAD, LOTHIAN, MD, 20711

  Registry ID: 110071544371

• PATUXENT MHC, LLC

  5380 SANDS ROAD, LOTHIAN, MD, 20711

  Registry ID: 110009048306

Statutes cited

• CWA 301/402 — NPDES Permit Violations

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• PATUXENT MHC, LLC AND HORIZON LAND MANAGEMENT, LLC (PATUXENT WWTP)entered 2024-08-28

  Primary law: CWA

  Federal penalty: $280,000

Timeline (5 milestones)

• 2024-08-28Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2024-08-28Final Order Issued
• 2024-09-13Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2024-09-30Enforcement Action Closed
• 2024-09-30NPDES Closed