Arkansas’ Donny Beaver Gets his Comeuppance
- This topic has 7 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated Mar 30, 2008 at 5:34 pm by
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Sweet, check this out:
http://www.baxterbulletin.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080325/NEWS01/803250315/1002/NEWS01
Y’all may recall that at various times I’ve alluded to an Arkansas developer who scalped the hillsides on the slopes of Norfork Dam and caused big damage to the river.
Guys after having read the article I have to comment on some of the locals’ dismay at the “low” fine.
I agree that the fine is low but it is great to see the tides turning on these reckless developers. Perhaps, first time low and second offense more serious, just hope it doesn’t have to come down to it though.
Still seems really low to me, not that I’m exactly surprised or anything.
edit
Actually I’ll elaborate. Yeah, as far as quickly getting some limited funds going straight to cleaning up the mess (especially in a poor state like Arkansas) there is definitely a big difference in fining losers like this 175K they can afford to write a quick check for vs a 1.5M judgement that they can’t. You’re right, the river would likely never see a dime once it gets tied up in some sort of chapter 7, or whatever, bankruptcy and the lawyers start bickering back and forth, but that’s just the fault of a crappy system that often doesn’t protect what really needs/deserves protecting.
So yeah, they’ll have a little cash to kick around and attempt to minimize the long term impact of this fool but what does a slap-on-the-wrist fine like this really do for teaching these types of losers any sort of lesson? I wouldn’t be surprised if the corners they cut, which caused this mess, saved them more than $175K in the first place.
It’s pathetic really, although don’t take it to mean I don’t appreciate the work of those who fought so hard against this.
Good news…thanks for the info Zach.
One idea I will throw into the mix that seems to be gaining traction up here is this.
Fine the company the $175k. Then make him give $25k or $50k a year, for the next three to five years to a local conservancy that can be used to adminster and implement local stream projects in the area. Whether it be fixing riparian buffers, agricultural projects that reduce sediment load, etc., whatever the local needs and issues are.
This does 2 things.
1. Makes the guy be involved for more than just one check signing, hopefully increasing the “sting” from his jackassness.
2. Can provide some real momentum in building local restoration programs as it will give a good financial base and allow conservancy’s the much need match money for other grants that they might be seeking.Just some thoughts.
Arkansas seems to have more than it’s share of shady developers. Anyone ever floated the White River near “Ranchette” access?
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