AP 5-11,2016
A settlement has been reached in a three-year battle between the Environmental Protection Agency and a southwest Wyoming landowner over a stock pond.
The EPA had threatened stiff fines over a pond Andy Johnson had built on his property in Uinta County. The agency said the pond may have violated the Clean Water Act.
However, lawyers for Johnson say the settlement that has been reached allows Johnson to keep the pond and doesn’t impose any fines on him.
Johnson agreed to plant willows by the pond and erect a fence to help control livestock.
Johnson says he’s relieved and thanked his supporters, including the California-based Pacific Legal Foundation.
Sens. John Barrasso and Mike Enzi and Rep. Cynthia Lummis say the settlement is a welcome rebuke of the EPA.
