Worcester Lincoln LLC, which is developing the mall here on Lincoln Street, has been ordered to correct siltation and erosion problems at its mall site after the DEP found that sediment-control requirements had been violated, damaging the Coal Mine Brook. The brook is one of the last trout streams in the city.

The DEP cited the developers last February for similar violations. And a few months ago, the Worcester Conservation Commission issued a stop-work order, also for siltation violations. That order was lifted after it was determined that the problem had been corrected.

But recently, the DEP reportedly found new violations that were causing siltation of the brook. Site conditions required by the Conservation Commission were also said to be violated. The developers reportedly insist that the violations were the result of heavy rainstorms that overwhelmed the erosion controls that were in place. They also reportedly note that because the site is so large and because of the extensive amount of utilities being placed, the soil is open for lengthy periods, leaving it vulnerable to this kind of problem. They insist that once the soil is paved and store roofs are connected to a drainage system, there will be less water to control.