Eric the Red
Team HuskerBoard
This is a forward I got a long time ago and is just a classic...true story
Unauthorized Activity
> >>
> >>
> >>This one is a genuine hoot. It was an actual letter sent to a man
> >>named Ryan DeVries by the Michigan Department of Environmental
> >>Quality, State of Michigan.
> >>
> >>Wait till you read this guy's response.......but read the letter
> >>before you get to the response........
> >>
> >>***************************
> >>
> >>Mr. Ryan DeVries
> >>2088 Dagget Pierson, MI 49339
> >>
> >>SUBJECT: DEQ File No. 97-59-0023; T11N; R10W, Sec. 20;
> >>Montcalm County
> >>
> >>Dear Mr. DeVries:
> >>
> >>It has come to the attention of the Department of Environmental
> >>Quality that there has been recent unauthorized activity on the
> >>above referenced parcel of property. You have been certified as
> >>the legal landowner and/or contractor who did the following
> >>unauthorized activity:
> >>
> >>Construction and maintenance of two wood debris dams across the
> >>outlet stream of Spring Pond. A permit must be issued prior to
> >>the start of this type of activity. A review of the Department's
> >>files shows that no permits have been issued. Therefore, the
> >>Department has determined that this activity is in violation of
> >>Part 301, Inland Lakes and Streams, of the Natural Resource and
> >>Environmental Protection Act, Act 451 of the Public Acts of 1994,
> >>being sections 324.30101 to 324.30113 of the Michigan Compiled
> >>Laws, annotated.
> >>
> >>The Department has been informed that one or both of the dams
> >>partially failed during a recent rain event, causing debris and
> >>flooding at downstream locations. We find that dams of this
> >>nature are inherently hazardous and cannot be permitted. The
> >>Department therefore orders you to cease and desist all activities
> >>at this location, and to restore the stream to a free-flow
> >>condition by removing all wood and brush forming the dams from the
> >>stream channel. All restoration work shall be completed no later
> >>than January 31, 2002.
> >>
> >>Please notify this office when the restoration has been completed
> >>so that a follow-up site inspection may be scheduled by our
> >>staff. Failure to comply with this request or any further
> >>unauthorized activity on the site may result in this case being
> >>referred for elevated enforcement action.
> >>
> >>We anticipate and would appreciate your full cooperation in this
> >>matter. Please feel free to contact me at this office if you have
> >>any questions.
> >>
> >>
> >>Sincerely, David L. Price
> >>
> >>District Representative Land and Water Management Division
> >>
> >>
> >>*******************
> >>
> >>This is the actual response sent back........
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>Dear Mr. Price,
> >>
> >>Re: DEQ File No. 97-59-0023; T11N; R10W, Sec. 20;
> >>Montcalm County.
> >>
> >>Your certified letter dated 12/17/01 has been handed to me to
> >>respond to.
> >>
> >>First of all, Mr. Ryan DeVries is not the legal Landowner and/or
> >>Contractor at 2088 Dagget, Pierson, Michigan. I am the legal
> >>owner and a couple of beavers are in the (State unauthorized)
> >>process of constructing and maintaining two wood "debris" dams
> >>across the outlet stream of my Spring Pond.
> >>
> >>While I did not pay for, authorize, nor supervise their dam
> >>project, I think they would be highly offended that you call their
> >>skillful use of natures building materials "debris."
> >>
> >>I would like to challenge your department to attempt to emulate
> >>their dam project any time and/or any place you choose. I believe
> >>I can safely state there is no way you could ever match their dam
> >>skills, their dam resourcefulness, their dam ingenuity, their dam
> >>persistence, their dam determination and/or their dam work ethic.
> >>
> >>As to your request, I do not think the beavers are aware that they
> >>must first fill out a dam permit prior to the start of this type
> >>of dam activity.
> >>
> >>My first dam question to you is: (1) Are you trying to
> >>discriminate against my Spring Pond Beavers or (2) do you require
> >>all beavers throughout this State to conform to said dam request?
> >>
> >>If you are not discriminating against these particular beavers,
> >>through the Freedom of Information Act, I request completed copies
> >>of all those other applicable beaver dam permits that have been
> >>issued. Perhaps we will see if there really is a dam violation of
> >>Part 301, Inland Lakes and Streams, of the Natural Resource and
> >>Environmental Protection Act, Act 451 of the Public Acts of 1994,
> >>being sections 324.30101 to 324.30113 of the Michigan Compiled
> >>Laws, annotated.
> >>
> >>I have several concerns. My first concern is - aren't the beavers
> >>entitled to legal representation? The Spring Pond Beavers are
> >>financially destitute and are unable to pay for said
> >>representation - so the State will have to provide them with a dam
> >>lawyer. The Department's dam concern that either one or both of
> >>the dams failed during a recent rain event causing flooding is
> >>proof that this is a natural occurrence, which the Department is
> >>required to protect.
> >>
> >>In other words, we should leave the Spring Pond Beavers alone
> >>rather than harassing them and calling their dam names. If you
> >>want the stream "restored" to a dam free-flow condition please
> >>contact the beavers - but if you are going to arrest them, they
> >>obviously did not pay any attention to your dam letter, they being
> >>unable to read English.
> >>
> >>In my humble opinion, the Spring Pond Beavers have a right to
> >>build their unauthorized dams as long as the sky is blue, the
> >>grass is green and water flows downstream. They have more dam
> >>rights than I do to live and enjoy Spring Pond. If the Department
> >>of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection lives up to its
> >>name, it should protect the natural resources (Beavers) and the
> >>environment (Beavers' Dams.).
> >>
> >>So, as far as the beavers and I are concerned, this dam case can
> >>be referred for more elevated enforcement action right now. Why
> >>wait until 1/31/2002? The Spring Pond Beavers may be under the
> >>dam ice then and there will be no way for you or your dam staff to
> >>contact/harass them then.
> >>
> >>In conclusion, I would like to bring to your attention to a real
> >>environmental quality (health) problem in the area. It is the
> >>bears! Bears are actually defecating in our woods. I definitely
> >>believe you should be persecuting the defecating bears and leave
> >>the beavers alone. If you are going to investigate the beaver
> >>dam, watch your step! (The bears are not careful where they
> >>dump!)
> >>
> >>Being unable to comply with your dam request, and being unable to
> >>contact you on your dam answering machine, I am sending this
> >>response to your dam office.
> >>
> >>Sincerely,
> >>
> >>Stephen L.Tvedten
Unauthorized Activity
> >>
> >>
> >>This one is a genuine hoot. It was an actual letter sent to a man
> >>named Ryan DeVries by the Michigan Department of Environmental
> >>Quality, State of Michigan.
> >>
> >>Wait till you read this guy's response.......but read the letter
> >>before you get to the response........
> >>
> >>***************************
> >>
> >>Mr. Ryan DeVries
> >>2088 Dagget Pierson, MI 49339
> >>
> >>SUBJECT: DEQ File No. 97-59-0023; T11N; R10W, Sec. 20;
> >>Montcalm County
> >>
> >>Dear Mr. DeVries:
> >>
> >>It has come to the attention of the Department of Environmental
> >>Quality that there has been recent unauthorized activity on the
> >>above referenced parcel of property. You have been certified as
> >>the legal landowner and/or contractor who did the following
> >>unauthorized activity:
> >>
> >>Construction and maintenance of two wood debris dams across the
> >>outlet stream of Spring Pond. A permit must be issued prior to
> >>the start of this type of activity. A review of the Department's
> >>files shows that no permits have been issued. Therefore, the
> >>Department has determined that this activity is in violation of
> >>Part 301, Inland Lakes and Streams, of the Natural Resource and
> >>Environmental Protection Act, Act 451 of the Public Acts of 1994,
> >>being sections 324.30101 to 324.30113 of the Michigan Compiled
> >>Laws, annotated.
> >>
> >>The Department has been informed that one or both of the dams
> >>partially failed during a recent rain event, causing debris and
> >>flooding at downstream locations. We find that dams of this
> >>nature are inherently hazardous and cannot be permitted. The
> >>Department therefore orders you to cease and desist all activities
> >>at this location, and to restore the stream to a free-flow
> >>condition by removing all wood and brush forming the dams from the
> >>stream channel. All restoration work shall be completed no later
> >>than January 31, 2002.
> >>
> >>Please notify this office when the restoration has been completed
> >>so that a follow-up site inspection may be scheduled by our
> >>staff. Failure to comply with this request or any further
> >>unauthorized activity on the site may result in this case being
> >>referred for elevated enforcement action.
> >>
> >>We anticipate and would appreciate your full cooperation in this
> >>matter. Please feel free to contact me at this office if you have
> >>any questions.
> >>
> >>
> >>Sincerely, David L. Price
> >>
> >>District Representative Land and Water Management Division
> >>
> >>
> >>*******************
> >>
> >>This is the actual response sent back........
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>Dear Mr. Price,
> >>
> >>Re: DEQ File No. 97-59-0023; T11N; R10W, Sec. 20;
> >>Montcalm County.
> >>
> >>Your certified letter dated 12/17/01 has been handed to me to
> >>respond to.
> >>
> >>First of all, Mr. Ryan DeVries is not the legal Landowner and/or
> >>Contractor at 2088 Dagget, Pierson, Michigan. I am the legal
> >>owner and a couple of beavers are in the (State unauthorized)
> >>process of constructing and maintaining two wood "debris" dams
> >>across the outlet stream of my Spring Pond.
> >>
> >>While I did not pay for, authorize, nor supervise their dam
> >>project, I think they would be highly offended that you call their
> >>skillful use of natures building materials "debris."
> >>
> >>I would like to challenge your department to attempt to emulate
> >>their dam project any time and/or any place you choose. I believe
> >>I can safely state there is no way you could ever match their dam
> >>skills, their dam resourcefulness, their dam ingenuity, their dam
> >>persistence, their dam determination and/or their dam work ethic.
> >>
> >>As to your request, I do not think the beavers are aware that they
> >>must first fill out a dam permit prior to the start of this type
> >>of dam activity.
> >>
> >>My first dam question to you is: (1) Are you trying to
> >>discriminate against my Spring Pond Beavers or (2) do you require
> >>all beavers throughout this State to conform to said dam request?
> >>
> >>If you are not discriminating against these particular beavers,
> >>through the Freedom of Information Act, I request completed copies
> >>of all those other applicable beaver dam permits that have been
> >>issued. Perhaps we will see if there really is a dam violation of
> >>Part 301, Inland Lakes and Streams, of the Natural Resource and
> >>Environmental Protection Act, Act 451 of the Public Acts of 1994,
> >>being sections 324.30101 to 324.30113 of the Michigan Compiled
> >>Laws, annotated.
> >>
> >>I have several concerns. My first concern is - aren't the beavers
> >>entitled to legal representation? The Spring Pond Beavers are
> >>financially destitute and are unable to pay for said
> >>representation - so the State will have to provide them with a dam
> >>lawyer. The Department's dam concern that either one or both of
> >>the dams failed during a recent rain event causing flooding is
> >>proof that this is a natural occurrence, which the Department is
> >>required to protect.
> >>
> >>In other words, we should leave the Spring Pond Beavers alone
> >>rather than harassing them and calling their dam names. If you
> >>want the stream "restored" to a dam free-flow condition please
> >>contact the beavers - but if you are going to arrest them, they
> >>obviously did not pay any attention to your dam letter, they being
> >>unable to read English.
> >>
> >>In my humble opinion, the Spring Pond Beavers have a right to
> >>build their unauthorized dams as long as the sky is blue, the
> >>grass is green and water flows downstream. They have more dam
> >>rights than I do to live and enjoy Spring Pond. If the Department
> >>of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection lives up to its
> >>name, it should protect the natural resources (Beavers) and the
> >>environment (Beavers' Dams.).
> >>
> >>So, as far as the beavers and I are concerned, this dam case can
> >>be referred for more elevated enforcement action right now. Why
> >>wait until 1/31/2002? The Spring Pond Beavers may be under the
> >>dam ice then and there will be no way for you or your dam staff to
> >>contact/harass them then.
> >>
> >>In conclusion, I would like to bring to your attention to a real
> >>environmental quality (health) problem in the area. It is the
> >>bears! Bears are actually defecating in our woods. I definitely
> >>believe you should be persecuting the defecating bears and leave
> >>the beavers alone. If you are going to investigate the beaver
> >>dam, watch your step! (The bears are not careful where they
> >>dump!)
> >>
> >>Being unable to comply with your dam request, and being unable to
> >>contact you on your dam answering machine, I am sending this
> >>response to your dam office.
> >>
> >>Sincerely,
> >>
> >>Stephen L.Tvedten
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