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EPA Fines Wyoming Rancher $16 Million For Pond

Mike

Well-known member
A rancher is taking the Environmental Protection Agency to federal court, asking a judge to stop the agency from fining him more than $16 million because he built a small pond on his property.

Andy Johnson of Fort Bridger, Wyoming says he made sure to get the proper permits from his state government before building the pond. After all, this is America in the 21st century, and nothing done on your own property -- certainly when it involves the use of water -- is beyond government concern.

Johnson is facing millions in fines from the federal government after the EPA determined his small pond -- technically a "stock pond" to provide better access to water for animals on his ranch -- is somehow violating the federal Clean Water Act.

"We went through all the hoops that the state of Wyoming required, and I'm proud of what we built," Johnson said. "The EPA ignored all that."

In a compliance order, the EPA told Johnson he had to return his property -- under federal oversight -- to conditions before the stock pond was built. When he refused to comply, the EPA tagged Johnson with a fines of $37,000 per day.

Dismantling the pond within the 30-day window the EPA originally gave him was "physically impossible," Johnson said.


That was in 2012. Today, Johnson owes the federal government more than $16 million, and the amount is growing as he tries to fight back.

In a lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court on Thursday, lawyers representing Johnson argue the EPA overstepped its authority by fining the rancher.
 

Steve

Well-known member
the EPA has grown so far beyond it's initial laws which were intended to improve the water and air quality..

now they are just on a witch hunt to grab ever last bit of power to control our every move..

It is especially maddening when you see them dump millions of gallons of polluted water and not one at the EPA was fired...
our government is no longer accountable to US,.. instead it has turned on US...
 

Faster horses

Well-known member
Steve said:
the EPA has grown so far beyond it's initial laws which were intended to improve the water and air quality..

now they are just on a witch hunt to grab ever last bit of power to control our every move..

It is especially maddening when you see them dump millions of gallons of polluted water and not one at the EPA was fired...
our government is no longer accountable to US,.. instead it has turned on US...

Going to be interesting to see how our liberal neighbors (not ones in Mt.) who have a swamp on their land react to the EPA's "Water of the US" regulations when it directly affects them. Up to now, they don't think the EPA is any stronger than it ever was.

They also don't believe that Obama is for gun control........ :roll:

(He just retired from a career with the forest service and she is a teacher.)
 

mrj

Well-known member
The state citizens are going to have to reclaim control of our own land, probably on a state by state basis, imo. I think some are states are joining together in that effort.

I've read that some states already have 'rules' insisting that any rain which falls on privately owned property, including the roof of your home, belongs to 'the people', and individuals have no right to use it.

Are they truly ignorant of the fact that all water evaporates and returns over and over again to earth in the form of rain?

Those who would rule over those of us living and working in rural areas and growing food for them need to realize and accept responsibility for their own pollution before they seek to control all rural land, air, and rain.

First, they need to recognize that farmers and ranchers must have training and some licensing to apply chemicals. People in towns and cities generally are exempt from such training and licensing to apply similar chemicals to their yards, and literally tons of it are so applied.

They also need to determine the amount of animal waste their pets and urban wildlife add to the waterways. It is significant according to the few studies done so far. Hopefully, there will be some common sense used in the very near future, or the zealousness in creating pristine, lifeless, unused landscapes will come back to bite them in the form of less food produced at far higher prices when the actual costs of pie in the sky EPA dreams are realized.

It would be great to see photo's of that pond. My bet is that the environment is highly enriched by it!

mrj
 

Mike

Well-known member
Video of pond:

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/08/28/wyoming-man-challenges-outrageous-epa-fines/
 

Brad S

Well-known member
Always wish I said what mrj said:

"States reclaim rights"

Urban and suburban pollution is serious and not really targeted.
 

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