EPA cites SC landowners for wetlands violations

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The federal Environmental Protection Agency has cited some landowners along the Grand Strand with illegally destroying more than 100 acres of wetlands.

The State newspaper reported (http://bit.ly/VdoE0a) five landowners improperly filled in or dug up wetlands west of the Myrtle Beach area. The agency says the landowners built two roads, a lake, a sand mine and a horse farm.

A road paving company and a development company are among those cited for violations.

The EPA is requiring the landowners to restore the wetlands at their own expense. The agency estimates it will cost about $285,000 to restore the wetlands.

The violations date back to 2005. An EPA spokeswoman would not say if more cases are pending in South Carolina..

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Information from: The State, http://www.thestate.com