The EPA didn't just show up one day. The EPA says the issue is about the pond being an actual stock pond, meaning a pond to secure water for a ranches livestock. The pond in question is very big and it is not being established by the owner that a pond of that size is needed to secure water for the stock on the size property in question. It appears to be a pond designed for aesthetic purpose and as a fishing pond.As you ignore that a permit was cleared by the local officials to build such a damn. Where in the process is vetting done by the EPA for all permits to build in this country????????????? They come in after the fact and say you are in violation of the EPA and say OR ELSE?????????????SHOCKING!!! A single property owner is prevented from destroying the water resources for hundreds of thousands or even millions of citizens down stream from the individuals property. Where has freedom gone?
Didn't read the link did ya, scientific test have proven the pond has improved downstream water quality. Fuck off ignorant ass.
Ignoring the fact that the dam is his, but the water that flows through it is not his. In the western part of the United States water is an important commodity you do not divert it for your own needs, you do not impede the flow to serve your own purpose.
To people that have thought they had followed the rules, as they had gotten the required permits to build already....................
Then to be FINED LARGE AMOUNTS of money WITHOUT A DAY IN COURT....................
In the article I posted that is exactly what happened............They just showed up one day and said stop what you are doing, return the land to it's original status...............or pay $37,500 a day until it is resolved............................
Where in the Constitution did we GIVE THE GOVERNMENT THAT KIND OF POWER.............
Where in they system did the EPA come down on those ISSUING THE PERMITS AND INSPECTIONS.........................The fault lies there as well NOW DOESN'T IT..................But they do nothing to those issuing permits and give out FINES THAT ARE LUDICROUS.....................Without giving those being fined A SINGLE DAY IN COURT...................
Anyone who would think this is OK, I question their sanity.
The fines did not just begin on some surprise date. The owners were informed that they needed to halt the operation of the dam (drain the pond) and allow the free flow of the creek in a 30 day period. The owners decided to disregard the legal order and vowed to fight the case. If they had followed the ruling they would not be fined a single dime. They could have continued their argument and court case.
The repercussions of allowing the owner to continue could lead to unregulated building of little fishing ponds in front of homes across the west and water rights being transferred for federal authority to state authority. Anyone with two horses would become eligible for a several acre fishing or recreational pond in front of their house.