Michigan has intensified its enforcement of environmental laws, with Attorney General Dana Nessel and the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) achieving a legal win against Scott Schlicht of Schlicht Ponds. A press release from the Michigan Attorney General’s Office states that Schlicht Ponds was found to have violated several provisions of the Michigan Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act.
The Ingham County Circuit Court granted summary disposition in EGLE's favor and ordered Schlicht Ponds to pay a $150,000 civil fine, as well as prohibiting the company from future violations, the fine which will be paid in four installments over the next year starting with a $37,000 installment due on October 14, "Our environmental laws are designed to protect our natural resources and public health," Nessel stated in a press release, signifying her department's stance on environmental accountability.
Notably, Schlicht Ponds engages in pond construction and general excavation projects across Michigan counties, and has been penalized for failing to secure permits or violating permit conditions. Even after receiving notices from EGLE regarding its illegal operations, the company continued to repeat similar offenses at various properties.
EGLE Director Phil Roos echoed the sentiment of protecting Michigan's ecosystem for future generations, emphasizing the role of law enforcement in these efforts, “Michigan’s natural resources are vital to our quality of life, economy, and identity, and EGLE is committed to protecting them for current and future generations,” said Roos, outlining the mission for maintaining the integrity of the state's environmental sanctity, "Our environmental laws are in place to keep our air, water, land, and communities safe, and when those protections are ignored, violators must be held accountable," in a statement obtained by the Michigan Attorney General’s Office.
