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Developers ordered to restore Wind River

Release Date: 10/5/2001
Contact Information:
800 277-8917 x6407,

Release Date: 10/5/2001
Contact Information:
800 277-8917 x6899,

Release Date: 10/5/2001
Contact Information:
800 277-8917 x7814

Denver -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ordered the Wind River Land and Cattle Company (WRLC) to submit a plan to restore -- and implement restoration of -- a degraded section of the Wind River near Crowheart, Wyoming. WRLC violated the Clean Water Act, impacting water quality and tribal interests.

Upon being informed they were in violation, WRLC submitted a preliminary restoration proposal for EPA review. EPA's Administrative Order will formalize a more complete restoration plan that will ensure WRLC returns the river to a condition at least as healthy as its pre-disturbed state.

In spring, 1999, WRLC released about 4,000 cubic yards of streambed sediment into three locations on the river, affecting approximately 3,800 linear feet. Twelve acres of land were disturbed within the river channel, which is located within the exterior boundaries of the Wind River Indian Reservation. EPA is coordinating this action and the restoration with the tribe. The Clean Water Act provides for penalties up to $27,500 per day for each day the illegal fill remains in place.

The unauthorized discharges could damage the river environment and other properties by altering flow patterns over a much larger reach downstream. This area of the Wind River is a high quality wild fishery and provides habitat for rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout, and mountain whitefish, spawning and nursery.

"EPA is taking this action to protect Wind River and its side channels from pollution, flow alteration, and destruction of fish habitat by soil and sedimentation in the river. This action will also prevent further harm to water quality and fisheries habitat in the river," EPA Assistant Regional Administrator of Enforcement Carol Rushin said.

The Clean Water Act regulates construction in America's waterways through a permit system run by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and enforced by the Corps and EPA. The law protects our nation's waters by regulating soil and sediment discharges as a pollutant that can impact stream and wetlands quality. Discharges can smother fish spawning areas and areas where insects and other organisms that fish depend on for food live. Permits help assure that work done in such areas takes appropriate measures to protect waterways and their surroundings.

Property owners or contractors planning to do construction near wetlands and rivers should always contact their nearest Corps regulatory office prior to starting work. For the Cheyenne area, call (307) 772-2300 to determine whether a permit is required.