Van Hollen
MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) - Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen announced a judgment on Monday against the owner of a Suamico property for allegedly building on the bank of a navigable stream without first receiving compulsory permits.
David Blohoweak must pay $12,000 in assessments, forfeitures, costs and fees for allegedly filling wetlands illegally and building an artificial pond without receiving permits from the Department of Natural Resources. The alleged violations occurred at Blohoweak's property in Brown County, which is adjacent to Barkhausen Creek, a navigable stream.
Wisconsin state law prohibits the discharging of pollutants to wetlands without a DNR certification that the discharges comply with standards for water quality determined by the state. Wisconsin law also prohibits the construction of artificial ponds within 500 feet of a navigable body of water without an official permit.
Under the terms of the judgment, Blohoweak must remove the allegedly unlawfully placed fill material from and restore the wetland areas on his Suamico property. Additionally, Blohoweak must obtain an after-the-fact permit for the creation of the artificial pond.
"Wisconsin law requires that property owners obtain and follow permits designed to prevent pollution and to protect public rights in the state's wetlands and navigable waters," Van Hollen said. "The Wisconsin Department of Justice will continue to work with the DNR to ensure that Wisconsin's water resources are safeguarded through compliance with the law."