A Michigan man was sentenced to probation on Tuesday for rerouting a river within a national park to improve boat access to Lake Michigan.
Prosecutors stated that the man is prohibited from entering any National Park Service property for the next five years, including Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in northern Michigan where the incident took place.
“The man disagreed with the National Park Service’s decision not to dredge the Platte River. … While he had the right to express his disagreement and advocate for his position, he did not have the right to take matters into his own hands,” stated U.S. Attorney Mark Totten.
Following a short trial in February, the man was found guilty of misdemeanor charges of tampering and vandalism.
A park ranger observed the man excavating with a shovel in August 2022. According to the government, a new channel to Lake Michigan, approximately 200 feet wide, formed within days, attracting anglers.
The Park Service discontinued dredging the river. Consequently, the accumulation of sediment and sand has hindered boat access to Lake Michigan.
In a court document, defense attorney Tony Valentine argued that the river had already been redirected by others before his client moved some sand and rocks.
“Any actions taken by the man to ‘enhance’ the newly established river flow were insignificant,” Valentine asserted.
