LEESBURG, Va. — Maryland Natural Resources Police have been ordered to investigate the alleged illegal dumping of full-sized tree trunks into the Potomac River. The investigation follows a controversial clearcutting operation at the Trump National Golf Club on the Virginia side of the river was reported by the Potomac Riverkeeper Network, according to a statement from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources late Friday.
"Maryland prohibits dumping or depositing debris into a waterway," said Maryland DNR spokesman Gregg Bortz in a prepared written statement.
"Natural Resources Police are responding to this incident, first to remove any safety hazards from the waterway, and also to investigate whether there were any violations of our law," Bortz wrote.
The river is Maryland's jurisdiction.
Meanwhile, Loudoun County, Virginia authorities say they are investigating the possibility that the cutting of mature Potomac riverbank trees at the Trump National Golf Club has violated a local zoning ordinance to protect sensitive flood plain areas.
"County staff has visited the site to evaluate the situation," said a written statement provided by county government spokesperson MaryFrances Forcier. "Based on the initial observation, there appears to be an issue with a number of trees removed from the flood plain, which would require a permit prior to any operation, based on the floodplain requirements of Section 4-1500 of the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance."
"The County is currently determining whether a violation of the ordinance occurred, and if so, what the appropriate course of action would be," the statement said.
The tree cutting and the dumping of waste wood into the river was conducted within the past 3 weeks, according to local river guide and camp operator Steve McKone who discovered the clear cut bank last week and alerted the Potomac Riverkeeper Network.
"We plan on demanding that they restore the area," said Philip Musegaas, Vice President of Programs and Litigation for the Potomac Riverkeeper Network.
The organization has begun circulating a petition on Facebook.
By boat, McKone and WUSA9 counted at least 15 mature tree stumps, some with river waters lapping on them. The affected area appeared to be on about 2 acres near the course's 14th green.
KcKone believes the only explanation for the cutting would be to improve the downstream view from the scenic par-3 hole. The course is frequently played by its owner, President Donald Trump who as of August, had spent about 25% of his days as President on one of his courses, according to Newsweek magazine.
McKone claims that instead of hauling the logs away by land, three cutters rolled them into the Potomac River where they drifted downstream and threaten to create dangerous "strainers" in areas popular with tens of thousands of kayakers and canoeists who visit the nearby Seneca Breaks section of the river. Strainers are potentially lethal obstructions in a river that can catch boats and drown their occupants.
Trump National has not responded to WUSA9's request for comments or a site visit.
WUSA9 was able to observe the area by boat and helicopter.
In 2010, Loudoun County issued a stop work order for sediment control violations during a much larger riverside clear cutting operation at the golf course.
At that time Trump National removed at least 400 trees.
Work was allowed to continue after Trump National secured proper permits, according to county spokesperson MaryFrances Forcier.