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Farmer faces huge fines for expanding orchard into Fresno River bed

Posted by: Maven on April 2, 2009 at 5:44 am

From the Fresno Bee:

A farmer could face millions of dollars in fines for expanding his almond orchard into the bed of the Fresno River, west of Madera, federal officials announced Wednesday.

Officials last month ordered P-R Farms owner Patrick Ricchiuti, a former president of the Fresno County Farm Bureau, to remove extra soil, trees and an asphalt road in the riverbed.

Ricchiuti could be fined $37,500 for each day of the encroachment, which was discovered in September. If officials pursue a fine in federal court and considered six months of violations, it could range beyond $6 million.

Officials have not yet discussed any possible fine. Amy Miller, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency enforcement team leader in San Francisco, said the first priority is clearing the river bed. “He has built out his orchard into the Fresno River as well as placing a road and a new levee, which is basically made out of sand,” she said. “So he was increasing the size of his field.”

Read more from the Fresno Bee by clicking here. Read the press release from the EPA by clicking here.

April 2, 2009 · Filed Under Agriculture

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