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FISCAL YEAR: 2012
1. PRINCIPAL DEFENDANT: Indian Ridge Resort, Inc.
W.D.  Missouri  10-05026-01/05-CR-SW-ODS
2. DEFENDANT: North Shore Investments, Inc.
W.D.  Missouri  10-05026-01/05-CR-SW-ODS


Both companies admitted that they failed to prevent storm water runoff at the construction site from discharging silt into Table Rock Lake.

Construction activities at the site, including clearing, grading and excavation, disturbed approximately 600 acres of land southeast of Highway 76 and Highway 13 from August 2006 through June 2009. The failure of Indian Ridge Resort and North Shore Investments to abate, control or slow the erosion from the construction site persisted through at least the end of August 2011.



July 28, 2010
The defendants were each charged with one count of violating the CWA {33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)(A) - negligently violates}.

CITATION: 33 U.S.C. 1311(a)
November 21, 2011
Both companies pled guilty to the charge.


Press Release
Western District of Missouri
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NOVEMBER 21, 2011

Companies plead guilty to Clean Water violations at Indian Ridge Development

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Beth Phillips, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that two companies pleaded guilty in federal court today to violating the Clean Water Act in the development of Indian Ridge Resort Community in Branson West, Mo.

Two firms involved in the development of Indian Ridge Resort Community – Indian Ridge Resort, Inc., represented in court by owner and president James E. Shirato, Sr., and North Shore Investments, LLC, represented in court by owner Donald Snider, Jr. – pleaded guilty in separate appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge James C. England to the charge contained in a Sept. 1, 2010, superseding indictment.

By pleading guilty today, both companies admitted that they failed to prevent storm water runoff at the construction site from discharging silt into Table Rock Lake.

Construction activities at the site, including clearing, grading and excavation, disturbed approximately 600 acres of land southeast of Highway 76 and Highway 13 from August 2006 through June 2009. The failure of Indian Ridge Resort and North Shore Investments to abate, control or slow the erosion from the construction site persisted through at least the end of August 2011.

Under the terms of today’s plea agreements, Indian Ridge Resort must pay a fine of $215,000 and North Shore Investments must pay a fine of $100,000 (reduced by the amount of civil penalty paid to the state, up to a maximum $50,000). Both firms will be subject to a five-year term of probation that includes a compliance program to prevent further erosion and discharge of sediment from the Indian Ridge site into Table Rock Lake and its tributaries. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robyn L. McKee. It was investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

March 29, 2012
Indian Ridge was sentenced to 60 months probation and ordered to pay a federal fine in the amount of $215,000.

North Shore was sentenced to 60 months probation and ordered to pay a $100,000 federal fine.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 29, 2012

Companies sentenced for Clean Water violations at Indian Ridge development

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – David M. Ketchmark, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that two companies were sentenced in federal court today for violating the Clean Water Act in the development of Indian Ridge Resort Community in Branson West, Mo.

Two firms involved in the development of Indian Ridge Resort Community – Indian Ridge Resort, Inc., represented in court by owner and president James E. Shirato, Sr., and North Shore Investments, LLC, represented in court by owner Donald Snider, Jr. – were sentenced in separate appearances before U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith.

The court ordered Indian Ridge Resort to pay a fine of $215,000 and North Shore Investments to pay a fine of $100,000. Both firms received a five-year term of probation and must successfully comply with the provisions of the consent decree entered into with the state, which includes an erosion control and compliance program monitored by the Missouri Environmental and Natural Resources Division to prevent further erosion and discharge of sediment from the Indian Ridge site into Table Rock Lake and its tributaries.

On Nov. 21, 2011, both companies pleaded guilty and admitted that they failed to prevent storm water runoff at the construction site from discharging silt into Table Rock Lake.

Construction activities at the site, including clearing, grading and excavation, disturbed approximately 600 acres of land southeast of Highway 76 and Highway 13 from August 2006 through June 2009. The failure of Indian Ridge Resort and North Shore Investments to abate, control or slow the erosion from the construction site persisted through at least the end of August 2011.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robyn L. McKee. It was investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.


STATUTE:
  • Clean Water Act (CWA)

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