Concord, NH – Attorney General John M. Formella and New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (“NHDES”) Commissioner Robert Scott announce that the Belknap County Superior Court has approved a settlement between Erica Blizzard and Blizzard Inc. d/b/a Lakeport Landing Marina (“Lakeport Landing”) and the State related to Underground Storage Tank Act violations at a marina located on Lake Winnipesaukee in Laconia. Lakeport Landing Marina operates on Lake Winnipesaukee in Laconia and sells boats, boat slips, and gasoline.

The State filed a Petition for Civil Penalties (the “Petition”) in Belknap County Superior Court alleging that between August 30th and September 17th 2021 Lakeport Landing violated several provisions of the Underground Storage Tank Act. The Petition alleged Lakeport Landing employees severed a fuel line on or about August 30, 2021, while making repairs to its dock. The Petition further alleged that Lakeport Landing, under the direction of Blizzard, did not adequately or timely notify NHDES, made an unauthorized and inadequate repair to the fuel line, and continued dispensing fuel from the compromised system. Finally, the Petition alleged that Blizzard obfuscated NHDES’ investigation into the fuel line damage until NHDES confronted her with evidence of the damage and illicit repair on September 17, 2021.

Once Blizzard was aware of NHDES’ knowledge regarding the illicit repair, she cooperated with NHDES personnel by capping the fuel line and shutting down the affected portion until it could be properly repaired.

Lakeport Landing and Blizzard did not admit to the facts contained in the Petition but agreed to a penalty of $100,000 as part of an agreement to settle the allegations. $35,000 of the penalty will be suspended for ten years provided Lakeport Landing complies with the Underground Storage Tank laws and rules.