Michigan AG Filed Lawsuit against Real Estate Developer for Wetland Destruction

In March 2023, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, along with the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, filed a lawsuit against Chesterfield 5, LLC for destroying over 18 acres of regulated wetlands. According to the lawsuit, the company illegally drained water from the land and planted crops on it in order to obscure the true amount of wetlands in the area to better the companies chances at receiving a permit to build on the site.

In June 2024, AG Nessel announced the resolution of the litigation. A consent judgement held Chesterfield 5 responsible to pay a $300,000 fine to the state, as well as to restore 15 acres of wetland to the property by June 2026, and monitor the newly redeveloped wetland for a period of five years.

• Documents: MI Press Release 2023MI Press Release 2024Consent Judgement
• Document Type: Judgment Press Releases/Statements
• States: Michigan
• Issues: Climate Adaptation & Resilience Climate Resilience Natural Resources Public Lands Public Lands & Wildlife Water
• Era: Non-Federal
• Action Type: Environmental Enforcement Litigation