Thurston County property owners have incurred hefty fines for unpermitted shoreline development along the Deschutes River. The Washington Department of Ecology has slapped Chuck and Austin Rogers with a $204,000 penalty for their actions near Yelm. The duo was found guilty of building structures, placing fill, and clearing and grading the river's banks without any permits.
According to the Washington Department of Ecology, the Rogers' owned properties feature approximately 1,700 feet of river shoreline where they chose to continually expand unlawful development. These areas are sensitive and protected to maintain the river's ecosystem, particularly as the county's shoreline master program puts them in a "conservancy environment." Yet, the property owners have added unauthorized structures and debris used to support a recreational vehicle park and a commercial hauling business.
The Rogers' activity has compromised the environment alongside the Deschutes River, a fact underscored by Bobbak Talebi, Ecology's Southwest Region director. Talebi indicated to the Department of Ecology, "Ecology and Thurston County have taken every step to make sure the Rogers understood why their actions are not allowed and what options they have to address the issues." Despite ongoing dialogue and clear communication, the Rogers continued their expansion.
Consequences of their actions have not just been bureaucratic. The work conducted by the Rogers along the riverbanks has impaired aquatic habitats, heightened risks of erosion and flooding, and tainted the water quality. Talebi also expressed concern over the placement of solid waste by the river, which could lead to further environmental contamination. In detailing these impacts, Talebi emphasized, "by illegally clearing, grading, and developing the shoreline, the Rogers have harmed aquatic habitat, increased the threats of streambank erosion and floods in the area, and degraded local water quality."
The context for these fines is rooted in a commitment to shoreline management that dates back decades. The state Shoreline Management Act, put in place by voters in 1972, serves to manage and protect the 28,000-plus miles of river, lake, and marine shoreline in Washington.
