FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                         ENR
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1996                      (202) 616-2765
                                               TDD (202) 514-1888

                  WETLAND RESTORATION COMPLETED
                U.S. CLOSES CASE AGAINST GAUTREAU 

     WASHINGTON, D.C. --  The Department of Justice today ended
its case against Louisiana resident Roger Gautreau, after he
completed the restoration of a wetland in St. Amant, Louisiana. 
DOJ had sued Gautreau on behalf of the Environmental Protection
Agency alleging that he filled a cypress-tupelo swamp on property
he owned at the time, in violation of the Clean Water Act.  

     "This case exemplifies the government's commitment to
protecting our nation's wetlands in a way that reasonably
balances the environment and property owner expectations," said
Lois Schiffer, Assistant Attorney General of the Justice
Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division.  "The
outcome is gratifying both for its environmental benefit and
because the parties reached a cooperative settlement without
protracted litigation." 

     According to the complaint, between 1990 and 1993 Gautreau
placed fill in the 2.75 acre wetland without a permit in order to
build a house and a road, and to raise the elevation of a portion
of the yard.  The fill caused an increase in flooding on
surrounding property, leading a neighbor to report the filling
operation to the Army Corps of Engineers.  In 1993, the COE
instructed Gautreau to remove the fill or apply for an after-
the-fact permit.

     Gautreau then sold the property without informing the new
owners of the Army Corps of Engineers' orders.  The new owners
therefore, unknowingly purchased property subject to
administrative and judicial enforcement efforts by the
government. 

     In October 1995, the Justice Department and Mr. Gautreau
reached a settlement when Gautreau agreed to restore land
elevations to pre-violation levels; plant new cypress trees to
replace those he removed; and install new culverts under the road
to reduce flooding on neighboring properties.  The restoration
will reduce flood risks, increase water quality, and restore
important wildlife habitat.  The agreement also required Gautreau
to pay a $2,500 civil penalty, but did not require him to remove
the road or house.  
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