December 15, 2005

On November 30, an Ionia County jury found a man guilty of violating Michigan’s wetland and floodplain laws. Frank Ruffilo of Alto, Michigan was ordered to pay $2,500 in fines and required to fully restore the wetlands and floodplain damaged as a result of his illegal activities. The sentence was handed down by 64B District Court Judge Raymond Voet.

“Wetlands are a critical resource to the overall health of Michigan’s environment, and their protection remains one of the top priorities of the Department of Environmental Quality,” said DEQ Director Steven E. Chester. “The DEQ will continue to work with our local law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute those who choose to violate our environmental protection laws.”

The case was a collaborative effort between the DEQ’s Land and Water Management Division and Office of Criminal Investigations, and the Ionia County Prosecuting Attorney.

The violations occurred during March and April of 2004 when the defendant filled in forested and scrub shrub wetlands and floodplain along the Grand River. Ricky Shults, the contractor associated with Ruffilo’s project, previously pled guilty to violating the wetland law. Judge Voet accepted Shults' plea and ordered him to pay a $2,500 fine.

Michigan wetlands and floodplain laws apply to persons who drain, dredge, or fill wetlands and floodplains regulated under statute. Wetlands and floodplains provide important environmental and ecological values, such as habitat for fish and wildlife, groundwater recharge, and flood control.

Editor’s note: DEQ news releases are available on the department’s Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

“Protecting Michigan’s Environment, Ensuring Michigan’s Future”

Revised December 15, 2005 by Pat Watson