Edgartown has been fined more than $8,000 by the state Department of Environmental Protection in response to unauthorized dredging that occurred in January in Katama Bay, though an environmental assessment showed few long-term impacts from the project.
Town counsel Ronald Rappaport told the selectmen Monday that the fine, which was originally $16,320, was reduced by 50 per cent because of “good faith actions promptly taken by the town.”
Norman Rankow, then chairman of the town Dredge Advisory Committee, authorized the dredge project at 51 Witchwood Lane, though it did not have the proper town or state permits. Mr. Rankow said the homeowners, Steven and Deborah Barnes, did not know the project was unauthorized.
According to a letter to Mr. Rappaport from the Department of Environmental Protection, a habitat assessment report did not find “intensive or long term impacts” from the dredging, but hard clam reseeding was recommended to offset any losses. Mr. Rappaport said the homeowners have offered to pay for the reseeding.
“We hope, as far as the town goes, this is the end of the fallout from that activity,” Mr. Rappaport said.
In March Mr. Rankow offered to pay for any legal fees or fines that the town incurs as the result of the project. The Barnes paid for the environmental assessment.
The town now has 60 days to pay the fine. The selectmen voted to authorize the town to pay the fine from the reserve fund, which would be reimbursed through the dredge committee if Mr. Rankow pays the fine.
Town administrator Pamela Dolby said a state ethics commission investigation of Mr. Rankow is ongoing.
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