EPA fines Edd Dean $10,000 for Clean Water Act violations in Pine Island, Fla.ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 7, 1994--The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), independent agency of the U.S. government, with headquarters in Washington, D.C. It was established in 1970 to reduce and control air and water pollution, noise pollution, and radiation and to ensure the safe handling and (EPA EPA eicosapentaenoic acid. EPA abbr. eicosapentaenoic acid EPA, n.pr See acid, eicosapentaenoic. EPA, n. ), Region IV, has fined Edd Dean of Pine Island Pine Island is the name of several places in the North America: Islands
In addition to paying the penalty, Dean has restored the seven acres of cleared wetlands and has agreed to keep them free of exotic vegetation for five years. EPA Region IV's Water Management Division office in Atlanta imposed the $10,000 penalty under a provision of the Clean Water Act which authorizes EPA to assess administrative penalties for violations of the Act. Under this authority, EPA can assess administrative penalties of up to $125,000 for the placement of fill in waters of the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. or the destruction of wetlands. For more serious violations, EPA may refer cases to the U.S. Department of Justice where greater civil penalties and criminal sanctions can be sought in the United States District Courts. Wetlands are among the most environmentally beneficial areas in the nation. They include marshes, swamps, bogs and similar areas that have developed between open water and dry land. Wetlands harbor unique soils and plants that provide food and habitat for fish and wildlife, water purification  It has been suggested that , , and be merged into this article or section. , erosion control Erosion control is the practice of preventing or controlling wind or water erosion in agriculture, land development and construction. This usually involves the creation of some sort of physical barrier, such as vegetation or rock, to absorb some of the energy of the wind or water , flood control during major storms, and recreation. Although wetland areas exist throughout the Southeast, they rapidly are being destroyed. Each year, thousands of acres of wetlands are destroyed in the United States. The EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE See common operating environment. ) are working together to implement Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, which requires that a permit be obtained before placing fill in waters of the United States or wetland areas. EPA strongly encourages all property owners desiring to excavate or fill wetlands or waters of the United States to contact the COE prior to beginning work. The COE office which administers the Section 404 permit program in Florida is located in Jacksonville, Fla. (Regulatory Division, P.O. Box 4970, Jacksonville, Fla. 32232-0019) and can be contacted at 904/232-1666. CONTACT: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Atlanta Charlis Thompson, 404/347-3004 |
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