 Remaining forested wetlands on property adjacent to the Rapanos development site. Indicative of the wetlands impacted. Photo Source: Association of State Wetland Managers website | I wanted to note at this time the passing of a man who forever changed the enforcement of the Clean Water Act in a landmark environmental Supreme Court case (Rapanos v. United States, 547 U.S. 715) which the eventual outcome came to be informally known as the Rapanos Rule. John Rapanos of Midland, Michigan, passed away February 10th, 2016, at the age of 80. He was a Michigan developer who disagreed with the laws regulating impacts to wetlands and waters of the U.S. |
The associated lawsuits were tried in civil and federal court systems for Rapanos' impacts to over 54 acres of wetlands and waters of the U.S.
When all was said and done, Rapanos was fined $185,000; sentenced to three years probation and 200 hours of community service; given a contempt of court citation and an overnight stay in jail (in 1995) - all to the tune of over $2 million in costs. To settle the suit with the government, Rapanos agreed to construct 100 acres of wetlands and buffer area. The portion of the constructed wetlands located within Arenac County, Michigan, is now called the Wah Sash Kah Moqua Nature Preserve and is overseen by the Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy.
For Rapanos' fight against the Clean Water Act, he was hailed as a hero by property rights advocates.
Rapanos was born October 24, 1935, in Chicago to Alexandros and Nicoleta Rapanos, Greek immigrants. He was married since 1961 to Judy (Nelkie) Rapanos with whom he had five sons: Matthew, Mark, David, Michael, and Steven. His company, Rapanos Investment Group of Midland, is still in the family.
- JMB
Sources:
John A. Rapanos, who vowed ‘Fight to the death’ against EPA, dies at 80 by Clark Hughes on 2/11/16
John A. Rapanos obituary published in Saginaw News by MLive.com on Feb. 14, 2016
When all was said and done, Rapanos was fined $185,000; sentenced to three years probation and 200 hours of community service; given a contempt of court citation and an overnight stay in jail (in 1995) - all to the tune of over $2 million in costs. To settle the suit with the government, Rapanos agreed to construct 100 acres of wetlands and buffer area. The portion of the constructed wetlands located within Arenac County, Michigan, is now called the Wah Sash Kah Moqua Nature Preserve and is overseen by the Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy.
For Rapanos' fight against the Clean Water Act, he was hailed as a hero by property rights advocates.
Rapanos was born October 24, 1935, in Chicago to Alexandros and Nicoleta Rapanos, Greek immigrants. He was married since 1961 to Judy (Nelkie) Rapanos with whom he had five sons: Matthew, Mark, David, Michael, and Steven. His company, Rapanos Investment Group of Midland, is still in the family.
- JMB
Sources:
John A. Rapanos, who vowed ‘Fight to the death’ against EPA, dies at 80 by Clark Hughes on 2/11/16
John A. Rapanos obituary published in Saginaw News by MLive.com on Feb. 14, 2016
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