Dear Neighbor,

As large-scale residential development expanded in Central Maryland, construction activity created unintended environmental consequences that impacted the Gunpowder River and surrounding waterways.

In response, Theaux Le Gardeur, the Gunpowder Riverkeeper, led the effort to address concerns about pollution and runoff associated with these construction sites. With the Chesapeake Legal Alliance serving as pro bono counsel, Gunpowder Riverkeeper filed a notice of intent to sue D.R. Horton, the nation's largest homebuilder, under the federal Clean Water Act.

The Maryland Attorney General's Office subsequently filed suit on behalf of the Maryland Department of the Environment against D.R. Horton and others over alleged violations affecting local waterways. That litigation ultimately resulted in a settlement of more than $4.1 million this summer.

Importantly, Gunpowder Riverkeeper worked throughout the litigation and settlement process to ensure that $2.1 million was directed specifically toward restoration projects within the Gunpowder watershed, putting a significant portion of the funding back into the waterways and communities directly impacted.

The remaining settlement funds will be directed to the State's Clean Water Fund. Under the binding three-party consent decree between D.R. Horton, Gunpowder Riverkeeper, and the Maryland Department of the Environment, any future stipulated penalties resulting from noncompliance will also be directed to the State's Clean Water Fund.

The Chesapeake Bay Trust has been selected to administer the $2.1 million in restoration funding and is now seeking community input on how those dollars can have the greatest impact. The Trust has experience administering environmental settlement funds and directing them into affected communities through projects such as tree planting, water-quality improvements, stormwater management, and other restoration efforts.

Community Meeting: Wednesday October 7, 2026

A public meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at Mariner Point Park in Joppa. Both in-person and virtual attendance will be available, but registration is required.

As decisions are made about how these funds should be invested, some considerations I believe deserve attention include:

Establishing a proper environmental monitoring baseline so we can accurately measure water quality, restoration efforts, and future impacts; and
Prioritizing the area of impact along the Route 40 corridor and the critical area extending from Joppa Farm Road to Ebenezer Road.

Potential restoration efforts could also include replanting areas that have experienced significant losses of submerged aquatic vegetation, along with monitoring and water-quality projects designed to better understand, restore, and protect the Gunpowder watershed.

When environmental damage occurs, the priority should be straightforward: hold those responsible accountable and make sure the money collected is used to repair the communities and natural resources that were affected.

I encourage residents who care about the future of the Gunpowder River to participate in this process and make their voices heard. Thank you to the Chesapeake Bay Trust, Gunpowder Riverkeeper, and all those working to ensure these funds are put to good use in the communities that were impacted.