NJ-Based Hovnanian to Pay $130,000 in Penalties

The Environmental Protection Agency says a New Jersey-based homebuilder has agreed to pay $130,000 in civil penalties for alleged Clean Water Action violations at construction sites in Maryland.

The EPA alleged Hovnanian Enterprises Inc. failed to take actions to keep sediment from nearby waterways at its Shipley Farms and Palisades at Oak Creek sites in Prince George's County. The federal agency says it inspected the sites in August 2011.

A telephone call by The Associated Press seeking comment from Red Bank, N.J.-based Hovnanian was not immediately returned Wednesday afternoon. The EPA said Hovnanian did not admit nor deny liability.

The EPA says the settlement also requires Hovnanian to develop plans to prevent further violations at sites in Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia.

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