Kansas company allegedly dumped debris on federally protected wetlands

A Columbus, Kansas-based construction company has been accused of illegally dumping debris four times in a federally protected wetland in Wagoner County, Oklahoma, a report by Tulsa World says.

Wagoner County Sheriff Deputy Michelle Casady began investigating the dumping in February. The report says she saw a Crossland Construction Co. truck dumping debris near a body of water adjacent to the Verdigris River. Representatives from Crossland confirmed that four loads were dumped in January and February at the wetlands.

Dan Leon Conley Sr. was charged with four counts of discharging a pollutant into state waters without a permit. Conley owns plans adjacent to the wetlands and gave permission to the company to dump on the protected land, the report says.

Crossland Construction Co. was charged with the same four counts and ordered to appear in Wagoner County District Court July 24. Conely, who was charged in June, is scheduled for an arraignment July 25. The report says he is out of custody on a $5,000 bond.

The construction company faces fines of up to $50,000 for each violation, the report says.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which protects the wetlands, will make the final determination on who will clean the dump site.