EPA reaches $10,000 settlement with Pacific Topsoils, Inc., for wetlands violations

Dave Forman and Pacific Topsoils, Inc., located just southeast of Mill Creek, Washington and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have reached a $10,000 settlement over violations of the Clean Water Act. In 2002, Forman and Pacific Topsoils, Inc., discharged fill material into 0.32 acres of wetlands on the east side of 35th Southeast, near Mill Creek, WA without a permit, according to EPA. The impacted wetlands are adjacent to Thomas Lake and Penny Creek.

Pacific Topsoils, Inc. removed the fill material and restored the site at the direction of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 2004. EPA had previously cited Forman and Pacific Topsoils, Inc., for a CWA violation in 1992.

According to Tom Eaton, EPA’s Washington Operations Director in Olympia, wetlands provide significant wildlife habitat as well as provide benefits to neighboring property owners. Anyone working in wetlands must obey the law or face potential fines.

“Protecting Washington’s shrinking wetlands is a top priority for EPA,“ said Eaton. ”Construction in a wetland should be avoided if at all possible, if any construction is proposed, it should only be undertaken with great care after securing the necessary permits.”

For more information about Wetlands protection work, visit: http://epa.gov/owow/wetlands