Politics & Government
$90,000 Fine For Gig Harbor Man Who Drained Protected Wetlands: State
The state Department of Ecology says Richard Leone of Gig Harbor destroyed over an acre of protected wetlands in Puyallup.
GIG HARBOR, WA - The state of Washington has fined a Gig Harbor man $90,000 for illegally draining 1.5 acres of protected wetlands to build a housing development in Puyallup. Richard Leone was also assessed separate civil fines by Pierce County for the destruction.
The wetlands were located a few blocks west of Meridian Avenue East and north of 176th Street East. According to the state, Leone hired a contractor in November 2016 to do the work. State officials estimate it could take up to 50 years for the environment to recover.
“Wetlands are critical to the overall health of Washington’s watersheds,” says section manager for Ecology’s Shorelands and Environmental Assistance program Perry Lund. “Mr. Leone documented the wetlands in a report submitted to Pierce County, so he was fully aware of their locations and took specific, targeted steps to destroy them.”
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Pierce County fined Leone $5,000, and is barring him from developing the property further.
Leone can either appeal the fine or pay it within 30 days.
Find out what's happening in Gig Harborfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Images via state Department of Ecology
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