Sumner, Washington landowners fined $18,000 for wetlands violations

(Seattle - August 18, 2010) Michael and Stacey Ota have agreed to pay a $18,000 penalty for alleged violations of the Clean Water Act at their property at 3201 West Valley Hwy. in Sumner, Washington, according to an order from the E.P.A..

In 2005, the Otas placed fill material into 4 acres of wetlands without the required permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, according to the order. The Otas cleared the property for agricultural purposes. On July 29, 2009, E.P.A. ordered the Otas to restore the wetlands and ditches impacted by these activities. The Otas have restored the location as required by the order and must continue monitoring it until 2019.

Michael Ota had previously filled the wetlands at this property without the appropriate permits. He voluntarily restored the location in 1996 with the assistance of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Wetlands are essential for the survival of fish and other aquatic life, according to Tom Eaton, Director of EPA's Washington Operations Office.

"Landowners who project to work in wetlands or other waters must obtain the right permits and follow the requirements to protect these valuable resources," said Eaton. "Wetlands like this help maintain water temperature in fish spawning areas."

Waters from the wetlands on the Otas property flow into Jovita Creek, which flows into the White River. The White River is a fish bearing stream, and is currently identified by the state as impaired for high water temperatures.

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

For more information about Wetlands protection work, visit:
http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/index.cfm
http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/functions.cfm
http://www.usace.army.mil/

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