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Department of Ecology News Release - Sept. 8, 2003
03-180
SPOKANE - A Nine-Mile-Falls man has been fined $10,000 by the Department of Ecology (Ecology) for violating the terms of his shoreline conditional-use permit.
The permit authorized Gary Correll to dig a 1,500-foot-long canal connected to Lake Spokane's (formerly Long Lake) south bank, build a vehicle bridge crossing the canal and construct docks for the waterfront lots newly created by the canal construction.
Correll constructed unauthorized community moorage docks in the canal "turn-around" area, which will be leased to non-waterfront property owners. An aeration system in the canal also was required by the permit to protect water quality, but has never been installed.
According to inspection reports, Correll failed to plant native shrubs and woody plant species along extensive portions of the canal, thereby encouraging the growth of invasive weeds.
Neglecting the planting requirement can lead to erosion from shoreline development and potential water quality problems. Leaving the shoreline unplanted also can increase water temperature, which harms fish habitat.
"Mr. Correll was allowed to reap a potentially significant profit by taking advantage of a lakeside location," said Brian Farmer, who manages Ecology's shorelands section in Spokane.
"He had five years to comply with the requirements of his permit designed to protect the resource, but failed to do so."
Ecology held numerous meetings with Correll, legislators and Correll's attorney and made several concessions, but the violations have not been resolved, Farmer said.
Correll must not only pay the $10,000 fine, but he must also bring the development into compliance with his permit conditions by Oct. 31 or face additional penalties of $100 per day per violation.
Correll may apply to Ecology for reconsideration of the penalty within 30 days. This penalty is subject to review by the state's Shoreline Hearings Board.
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Contact: Jani Gilbert, public information manager, 509-329-3495; cell 509-990-9177
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
