Smalma,

Good call on the County taking the lead...it's especially true if there are any criminal issues to look at. The state and the feds would both likely thankfully allow the County to take charge.

On any civil actions, however, there are a few different possibilities. Some civil penalties that would come from the state would come directly from a successful criminal prosecution by the county, but others may have to be done in a separate WDFW vs. landowner action. Same with the feds, if they choose to pursue it, too.

For the most part, however, the investigating officers, regardless of their affiliation, would give evidence of crimes to the County Prosecutor's Office, who would develop the evidence into a charge, make the charge, and try it in the County Courthouse.

IKissMykiss,

Nice meeting you and your pooch on Saturday. Nice day to fish, too bad it wasn't a good day to catch, too! BTW, I didn't get your e-mail, so here's my address

c_n_r_nates@hotmail.com

What happened was that a few weeks ago a landowner on the upper Sauk trundled some heavy equipment out onto the flood plain and into the river to do a little flood damage rehab and preventive maintenance, apparently without permits, and likely in violation of county, state, and federal laws. The investigation is ongoing.

Mike B., I was going to stop by and see if the pot of hot coffee would be available, but we ran out of time, and it sounds like you were out fishing that day, anyway. Catch you next time.

Fish on...

Todd