MCEA sued Kittson and Roseau Counties in 2007 for violating Minnesota’s environmental laws when the counties, without notifying the DNR, dug out ditches in and adjacent to the state-owned Beaches Lake Wildlife Management Area (WMA). Beaches Lake is one of Minnesota’s largest public wildlife areas and supports a variety of species including elk, and rare bird species the marbled godwit and yellow rail. MCEA’s experts determined that the ditches damaged Beaches Lake habitat.

The DNR and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, separate from MCEA’s suit, submitted notices to the counties for various violations of state and federal laws protecting wetlands.

On the eve of trial, the counties agreed to settle the matter. The settlement, which includes the DNR and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, requires the counties to partially fill a ditch in the damaged area, remove spoils from wetlands, revegetate with native plants, and pay $10,000 to be used for wetland enhancements in the Beaches Lake WMA.

MCEA Documents

First Amended Complaint

Outside Documents

Settlement Agreement

Beaches Lake WMA