(AGENPARL) – mar 05 marzo 2024 Issued: Mar 5, 2024 (2:07pm EST)
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Landowner to pay $10,000 for Clean Water Act violations in Central, Alaska
SEATTLE (March 05, 2024) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
announced today that Ryan Smith and Noah Smith will pay $10,000 for multiple
violations of the Clean Water Act at their property in Central, Alaska.
In April 2021, Ryan Smith and Noah Smith cleared over five acres of wetlands
adjacent to Crooked Creek using heavy equipment. The unpermitted work resulted
in the moving and discharge of organic and mineral soils, gravel, overburden,
logs and woody debris into wetlands, including some located on property owned
by the State of Alaska.
“This case sends a clear message that compliance with the Clean Water Act is
critically important to protect our Nation’s waters,” said EPA Region 10
Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Director Ed Kowalski. “It’s
the responsibility of anyone attempting to build or construct near waters of
the U.S. to apply for the required permits and comply with local, state and
federal rules designed to protect our waterways.”
Crooked Creek is listed as impaired for turbidity under section 303(d) of the
Clean Water Act, making it even more vulnerable to these types of unpermitted
activities. Discharges of dredged and fill material can result in increases in
turbidity for downstream waters. High turbidity makes water appear cloudy and
can harm fish and other aquatic life and affect water quality.
In addition to paying a fine, Ryan Smith and Noah Smith will implement
extensive fill removal and wetland habitat restoration activities under an
approved restoration work plan, conduct annual monitoring for five years, and
preserve over five acres of wetlands important for birds and wildlife. 
A permit is required from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for certain work,
including dredging and construction activities, that may impact waters of the
U.S., including wetlands.
Additional details can be found in the Consent Agreement and Final Order.
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