|
|
|
  
6/3/2026
WT Staff
 Knowledge of an environmental crime? Give us a call at 877-52-WATER (877-529-2837), or email info@wtny.us
June 3, 2026 249 pm EDT
CrimeBox
Historic Conviction Fiscal Year 2014; Case ID# CR_2627 (Montana)
Federal and Tribal Environmental Authorities team up to protect wetlands and water quality in Montana
This kind of prosecution sends the strong message that we will aggressively protect the waters and wetlands of Montana that all of us enjoy and upon which a healthy environment depends.
- U.S. Attorney Mike Cotter
The Defendant in this case is a cattle rancher operating in and around St. Ignatius, including Tribal lands of the Flathead Reservation in Montana. Tribal Environmental Specialists engaged in the investigation of this case, alongside US EPA Criminal Investigation Division EPA_CID) and the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).
Ten years before sentencing in this case, USACE became familiar with the Defendant. In 2004, the Defendant had dredged wetland area bordering Pistol Creek, to drain and extend agricultural land. Given the Defendant had not applied, nor been authorized for 'Alteration of Aquatic Land or Wetland on the Flathead Reservation', USACE took enforcement action. A cease and desist letter was delivered to the Defendant with a demand for the restoration-remediation of disturbed wetland to its prior condition.
In 2010, the Defendant got to dredging the wetland again. Channels were dug through the wetland with heavy equipment, the soil left piled along the trenches all the way to the creek. Cloudy water was observed flowing from the man-made channels into Sabine and Mission Creeks. Again, there was no permit for the 'Alteration of Aquatic Land or Wetland' from the Flathead Reservation Environmental authorities.
In March of 2010, USACE, EPA-CID, and Flathead Tribal Environmental Specialists attended the wetland to inspect, noting the disturbance of riparian vegetation as 'very extensive'. The inspection team found seven areas where dredged material had been piled, the sediment allowed to run and contaminate clean waters of the United States.
The Defendant plead guilty to the CWA criminal violation. Sentencing involved a federal fine and a term of mandatory supervision.
Federal Fine: $20,000; Probation: 36 months
See last week's CrimeBox here, "Montana sewage hauler brings his work home, sentenced as a CWA criminal", here.
CrimeBox briefs are compiled from EPA Criminal Enforcement records.
|
|
|
|
All rights reserved 2026 - WTNY - This material may not be reproduced in whole or in part and may not be distributed,
publicly performed, proxy cached or otherwise used, except with express permission.
|
|
