Local homebuilder, borough assembly member, agree to penalties, remediation for U.S. Clean Water Act violations

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced last week that Robert Yundt Homes, LLC and Robert Yundt, of Wasilla, were penalized $107,000 for violations of the U.S. Clean Water Act.

Yundt is also a member of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly.

In a press release EPA said that from 2019 through 2021, Robert Yundt Homes, LLC and Yundt used using heavy earthmoving equipment to relocate and discharge material into Wasilla Lake and Cottonwood Lake resulting in environmental impacts along the shorelines and adjacent wetlands.

Yundt did not respond to telephone calls and emails from the Frontiersman asking for comment.

EPA has issued several administrative compliance orders requiring Robert Yundt Homes, LLC to perform certain restoration and mitigation activities to remedy the harms to the environment. Robert Yundt Homes also agreed to pay $29,500 in penalties.

After Robert Yundt Homes, LLC failed to comply with the initial administrative compliance orders the U.S. Department of Justice filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for Alaska against the company and Yundt.

To resolve the violations of the administrative compliance orders and the underlying Clean Water Act violations, Robert Yundt Homes, LLC, Mr. Yundt, EPA, and the U.S. Department of Justice have agreed to a Consent Decree that requires the defendants to conduct fill removal and habitat restoration activities along the shoreline of Wasilla Lake, restore and preserve wetlands adjacent to Cottonwood Lake in perpetuity through an environmental covenant, and pay an additional $77,500 in penalties.

“In order to protect human health and the environment it is absolutely vital that building and construction companies obtain the appropriate permits and comply with EPA administrative orders” said Ed Kowalski, EPA Region 10 Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance director.

“As this case demonstrates, the secondary and tertiary effects of unauthorized discharges associated with construction activities can be felt by the entire community.”

“Violations of the Clean Water Act can significantly affect the lives of Alaskans, and those who partake in these unlawful actions will face consequences,” said U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker for the District of Alaska.

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to support our partners across the nation to protect our communities and ecosystems from the effects of illegal environmental degradation, as in the case against Yundt Homes.

Wasilla Lake and Cottonwood Lake are catalogued by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game as waters important for anadromous fish, including spawning habitat for coho and sockeye salmon.

The Consent Decree is available for public review and comment before it is effective. EPA and the U.S. Department of Justice invite all affected community members and other stakeholders to review the decree and provide comments. The public comment process is designed to help ensure that all voices are heard and that all views about the Consent Decree are considered.

To review the materials for this action and/or provide comment, please go to: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/07/31/2023-16084/notice-of-lodging-of-proposed-consent-decree.

The deadline to submit public comments is Aug. 30.