Settlement reached in Duarte Clean Water Act lawsuit

Farmer John Duarte has agreed to pay $330,000 in civil penalties and purchase $770,000 worth of mitigation credits to resolve a federal lawsuit after he was accused of plowing wetlands on his property in Tehama County, Calif., according to the Capital Press.

In 2013, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had sought $2.8 millions in fines as well as mitigation credits after accusing Duarte of plowing through wetlands while planting a wheat field on his property in Tehama County, Calif. Under the agreement, which is pending a judge’s approval, Duarte would admit no liability but pay the government $330,000 in civil penalties, purchase $770,000 worth of vernal pool mitigation credits, and do additional work on his property in Tehama County, his attorneys said.