Development group settles wetlands complaint with Corps for $1.4m.(Enforcement)(United States v Hummel Construction Co)

Wetlands Law & Regulation Report, December, 2004

A real estate development group has agreed to a settlement with the U.S. Justice Department, acting on behalf of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, over a wetlands dredge and fill complaint issued by the Corps dealing with a residential project in Lake County, Ill.

The government charged the Robert L. Hummel Construction Co. Inc., HDB Development Corp. and Dior Realty with filling a high quality, specially designated wetland in the Indian Creek residential development without a permit.

The defendants engaged in the fill activity in order to facilitate development of the nearby Pheasant Ridge residential community in Long Grove, Ill., according to U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald.

The government's original complaint was filed in 2000 and...