EPA v. Lawson Land Inc and Russell Koepke

Case summary

On May 24, 2023, EPA Region 10 issued an Consent Agreement and Final Order to Respondents Lawson Land Inc ( Owner ) and Mr. Russell Koepke ( Operator ) to address Clean Water Act ( CWA ) violations at Owner's property in Pierce, Idaho. Respondents discharged dredged and/or fill material into wetlands adjacent to Hildebrand Creek and Orofino Creek without authorization under CWA Section 404. These violations resulted in the discharge of pollutants into waters of the United States ( WOTUS ). Respondents have agreed to remove the unauthorized fill material, restore the native vegetation of the wetlands, and provide additional compensatory mitigation to preserve wetlands through a restrictive covenant. Respondents have also agreed to pay a civil administrative penalty of $55,500.

Defendants (2)

• RUSSELL KOEPKENamed in complaintNamed in settlement
• LAWSON LAND INCNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• LAWSON LAND INCORPORTATED

  PARCEL NO. RP36N05E114351A, CLEARWATER COUNTY, ID, 83546

  Registry ID: 110070864703

Statutes cited

• CWA 404 — Permits for Dredge and Fill Material

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• Lawson Land Inc and Russell Koepkeentered 2023-05-24

  Primary law: CWA

  Federal penalty: $55,500

Timeline (4 milestones)

• 2023-04-12Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2023-05-24Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2023-05-24Final Order Issued
• 2023-10-30Enforcement Action Closed