The Hill By Tony Francois 4/11/2019
For years, federal regulators harassed U.S. Navy veteran Joe Robertson, charging him with violating the Clean Water Act for digging ponds on private property and subjecting him to ongoing legal proceedings. They even put him in prison for a year and a half.
Robertson, 80, died from a stroke on March 18, which you might think would end the government’s vendetta against him. Guess again. The feds are lining up to target his widow — unless the Supreme Court steps in to correct the government’s injustice against the Robertsons.
This week, the court will decide whether to review Robertson’s 2016 conviction. As a matter of justice, the court should allow his widow, Carrie, to take his place in the appeal.
The Robertsons’ ordeal began when he dug water supply ponds for fire prevention in a clearing in the woods near his home in Montana.
For this act of service to his family and community, Robertson faced federal prosecution. The government claimed Robertson’s pond construction violated the Clean Water Act, which regulates navigable waterways.
More:
https://thehill.com/opinion/energy-environment/438355-its-time-for-the-supreme-court-to-end-regulators-abuse-of-clean