ENVIRONMENT

COURT CASES

These two cases are markedly different, but both dealing with wetlands. Sometimes the Federal government can go to extremes but then at times acts like it doesn't care. I can't find the case that happened here in Alabama, but it was in the papers a few years ago.

This man had several acres of land and he was cleaning up the backlot when he came across some standing water that ducks had made into their home. He wanted to drain it and called the county extension office. Once the county agent arrived and looked at the situation, the land owner was told he could not drain the pond because the presence of the ducks made the pond a protected wetland.

So, he decides to clear some brush when he comes across a lizzard. Never having seen one like it, he called the county agent and the agent told him it was a protected skink. SO, now the landower couldn't clear the brush.

I can't recall all the following events but it turned out that the Wildlife agency seized his land. And it all started with standing water and a couple of ducks.