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EPA Orders Landowners to Restore Salmon Stream, Wetlands

  • Apr 20, 2010

Robert and Nancy Loomis of Kilgore, Texas, have to repair damaged wetlands, restore a salmon stream and better manage stormwater runoff on their property located near Haines, Alaska, according to a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency press release.

The Loomis’ received the order after EPA alleged they discharged fill material, consisting of mud, dirt, gravel and rock, to this fish and wildlife habitat.

According to Marcia Combes, director of EPA’s Alaska Operations Office in Anchorage, wetlands on the Loomis’ property drain into the Takhin River, an important salmon stream that flows into the Chilkat River. Both the wetlands and adjacent small stream provide essential fish habitat for juvenile coho, cutthroat trout and Dolly Varden.

“Landowners must get the necessary permits before beginning construction and fill projects to protect Alaska’s unique environment,” said EPA’s Combes. “Filling wetlands, installing culverts and failing to control storm water runoff can harm both water quality and fish and wildlife habitat.”

EPA further alleges that the Loomis’ failed to obtain the necessary Clean Water Act permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, EPA, and the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation before:

  • Placing fill material into 3.3 acres of wetlands for a construction pad;
  • Altering the natural channel of a salmon-bearing stream by installing a culvert as part of an access road;
  • Directing construction activities resulting in stormwater discharges to an adjacent wetland and salmon stream.

EPA has ordered the Loomis’ to remove all unauthorized fill material from the salmon stream and wetlands by Sept. 1, and comply with stormwater requirements within 30 days of receipt of the order. The Clean Water Act authorizes civil penalties of up to $37,500 per day of violation and administrative penalties of up to $16,000 per day for each violation.

For more information about the Clean Water Act Section 404 wetland regulatory authority, visit www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/pdf/reg_authority_pr.pdf.

Comments

Thu, Dec 9, 2010 Michigan Mark Michigan

Hello: The commenter from Colorado was on a rant. However, I hope they do have fun at the next tea party, if they are members. I think what is not told in this article is the degree of destruction that must of occurred for this type of fine to have been levied. I live in Michigan in a lake environment where we also can't modify the shoreline or impact a surface water body without first having submitted a permit application for review to the State. Minor impacts such as removing a weedy plant along the shore is typically not considered an issue, but wholesale removing of all the many offending plants is an issue as just one example. However, the person from Colorado may have been alluding to the point that the EPA and the congress who creates the law administered by EPA appear to be more and more catering to care of the habitat versus care of the people. There is a balance, but the balance needs to be tilted toward saving the people.

Wed, Dec 8, 2010

To previous commenter: keep burying your head in the sand. The probability that an asteroid will destroy the earth is slim; the probability that man will do the same is already occuring. Have fun at the next tea party.

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 mark sandberg denver colorado

Ridicoulous,what you are doing to robert loomis.Isnt there some minnows in california that you need to save, and leave this man alone.You all are taking this, the world would be a better place stuff way to far.If you think that mud rocks and dirt is goin to kill a fish ,than prove it! We will probably be owned by china in ten years anyway thanks to you electing this great president! Then we will see our enviroment! What will you do then? I think there are worse things to worry about. An asteroid could hit the earth and kill everything,and what are you gonna be thinking before it hits,i wish i couldve saved a few more trees,fish,birds,and polar bears. You cant control the future.It is impossible whether you believe it or not! And you will see that whether in heaven or earth.You say well i would like for my children to grow up in a cleaner enviroment than i did.But i tell you this,even if you try to explain to kids to keep the enviroment clean,they are still going to sometime in there life throw trash out a car window.Please i know you make a lot of money suposivley caring about the enviroment,asking for money that the government dont have,leave us hard working tax payers alone! you and i will be living in a cardboard box if you dont stop doing this.

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