Washington’s Department of Ecology fined Chad Williams of Livingston Mountain $71,800 for damaging wetlands on his property and failing to comply with a 2022 agreement to restore them, according to a Tuesday news release from the agency.
Despite a court order issued in August to follow the 2022 agreement, Williams has continued to defy it, according to the release.
Williams received approval for the work on his property but was told he needed a permit from Ecology before starting construction, according to the news release.
Williams cleared plants and filled wetlands with the agency’s approval. Williams also built a house, driveway and outdoor shop without approval. Ecology must review projects that affect wetlands before work begins, according to the news release.
The agency initially learned about the damage by conducting a site visit and observed that the wetlands were already cleared and filled. Agency officials discussed options with Williams to restore or mitigate the damage, according to the news release.
The agency worked with Williams on this issue for the past two years, including extending deadlines so he had more time to fix it.
“Wetlands play a critical role protecting water quality in our state, reducing flood damage, and creating habitat,” Joenne McGerr, program manager for the agency’s shorelands and environmental assistance program, said in the news release. “Williams intentionally did work that damaged known wetlands on his property without a permit. Unfortunately, despite multiple attempts to assist him, he has avoided and neglected his responsibility.”
Williams has 30 days to pay the penalty or appeal it to Washington’s Pollution Control Hearing Board.
