UPDATE: Fisherman found guilty in vandalizing Platte River (eu.detroitnews.com)

submitted 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) by raoulraoul@midwest.social to c/michigan@midwest.social

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As reported here yesterday…

Andrew Blair Howard of Frankfort was found guilty in a federal bench trial of tampering and vandalism at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. He was accused of shoveling a channel between the mouth of the Platte River and Lake Michigan on Aug. 15, 2022, after National Park Service officers investigated reports of a diversion of the river, said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten of the Western District of Michigan in a news release.

Howard faces a maximum of six months in jail and a $5,000 fine. Federal prosecutors said he tampered with the river by manipulating its course and vandalized the federal park property.

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[-] Ep1cFac3pa1m@lemmy.world 10 points 9 months ago

I can’t imagine ever feeling so self-important that I would divert a river used by the public to serve my own ends. This might be the most “I’m the main character” thing I’ve ever seen.

[-] raoulraoul@midwest.social 5 points 9 months ago

While I am an admitted megalomaniac, I do agree with your sentiment. Then again, "never say never." Apparently, Mr Howard's…ahem…diversion was quite popular with the other boaters/fishermen. Unless he was truly causing an ecological disaster (quite possible), his actions weren't completely senseless or self-serving. Corporations that dump industrial waste every day into our waterways likely do more damage than Mr Howard has.

Nevertheless, instead of taking the proper (and bureaucratic) route he did take the law into his own hands. That's the part I can't defend.

this post was submitted on 08 Feb 2024

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