Two To Pay Penalties For Building Dam

MUSKOGEE, Okla. (AP) _ Two eastern Oklahoma men will each pay $1,000 to settle a federal claim that they built a gravel dam in an Adair County creek in violation of the Clean Water Act. Darryl Cates

Wednesday, August 29th 2007, 7:54 am

By: News On 6

MUSKOGEE, Okla. (AP) _ Two eastern Oklahoma men will each pay $1,000 to settle a federal claim that they built a gravel dam in an Adair County creek in violation of the Clean Water Act. Darryl Cates and Eddy Murray of Westville were accused of building the dam across Barren Fork Creek in July 2005.

The EPA filed the complaint against the men on December 19, 2005 after requests to dismantle the dam and restore the Barren Fork Creek to its original condition were ignored.

The gravel dam and roadway were built across the scenic waterway in July 2005 without a permit, EPA officials say. The dam was washed away in May 2006 by stormwater runoff. Officials say Gates and Murray didn't restore the natural contours of the creek to its original condition after the dam was washed away.

Related Story:

8/1/2005 Dam Controversy On Barren Fork Creek In Adair County