Man fined $100,000 for boat ramp

Montville (WTNH) - An illegal boat ramp leads to a hefty fine against its owner in Montville.

Michael Liebig didn't think it a was a big deal when he cleared away sea grass along the river at his Montville home. The problem is he didn't have a permit.

"I didn't think I needed a permit to clean up down here," said Liebig.

He also built an eleven foot wide concrete boat ramp also without a permit.

"There was a launch here already and I made it better," he said.

Now, the Montville man faces one of the state's largest fines for violating tidal wetlands law.

"I can't afford a $100,000 fine," he said. "I mean, it's gonna break me."

Liebig said he removed most of the boat launch after receiving a Cease and Desist Order from the DEP in October 2006.

But the state took action because he didn't finish the job or restore the wetlands which will cost about $75,000.

"I have to hire a scientist to make the mud," said Liebig. "I have to hire someone to grow the grass."

In Liebig's case, the DEP said someone complained about what he was doing.

"I know I did wrong so it has to go back; there's no 'ifs, ands, or buts' about it," he said.

Liebig said he didn't do it right away because he had to finish his house first.

Liebig hopes if he restores the wetlands, the state may give him a break on the fine. With summer almost half over, he wouldn't really be able to begin that restoration until the spring.