AUGUSTA – An Albany Township camp owner has been fined $3,000 for violations associated with building a camp without a state-issued permit.

The Maine Land Use Regulation Commission reached the settlement agreement with camp owner William R. DiGiovanni Jr. and Birch Realty Trust. DiGiovanni is a trustee of the trust.

Commission Director Catherine M. Carroll said the settlement requires DiGiovanni and Birch Realty Trust to pay a civil penalty of $3,000 and to install an approved wastewater disposal system to serve the camp.

He must also re-establish and maintain a vegetated buffer in the cleared areas along an unnamed stream.

Carroll said DiGiovanni constructed the 16-foot by 16-foot seasonal camp in 1998 on a full foundation in violation of a permit issued by the commission. He also built a 16-foot by 5-foot porch on the full foundation, which is located 68 feet from the stream.

Commission requirements state buildings must be 75 feet from the shoreline of a minor flowing water that drains less than 50 square miles.

Additionally, DiGiovanni constructed a storage shed 20 feet from the stream, an 8-by-8-foot deck within 75 feet of the stream, and installed a pit privy without a plumbing permit or a permit from the commission.

According to the settlement agreement, he also:

• Stored auto parts, unregistered vehicles, and trash and debris at the property within 75 feet of the stream.

• Cut and removed ground cover vegetation less than 3 feet in height on both sides of the stream in an area approximately 100 feet by 70 feet, and trees from within this area. That created two canopy openings, one 55 feet by 20 feet, and the second, 40 feet by 30 feet.

The settlement agreement and payment of the fine will allow DiGiovanni to maintain the camp with no expansions allowed within 75 feet of the stream.

Carroll said DiGiovanni agreed to comply with the agreement findings.

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