Attorney General Joseph A. Foster and Commissioner Thomas S. Burack of the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services ("DES") announce that the Rockingham County Superior Court (Anderson, J.) has approved a settlement between the State and Vincent and Linda Bonanno of Windham, New Hampshire resolving allegations of violations of the State's Fill and Dredge in Wetlands Act, RSA chapter 482-A.

Mr. and Mrs. Bonanno own property on Cobbetts Pond in Windham, New Hampshire. The State alleged that the Bonannos violated the State's Fill and Dredge in Wetlands Act by constructing a dock and dredging approximately 9,000 square feet of a freshwater emergent marsh within Cobbetts Pond without DES authorization. These violations were discovered after the Bonannos were informed by DES that it would not issue a permit for said dredging and construction.

Under the terms of the settlement, the Bonannos will be assessed a total penalty of $40,000. In addition, the Bonannos agreed to retain a Certified Wetlands Scientist to restore the damaged wetlands.

Copies of the settlement agreement between the State and Vincent and Linda Bonanno are available upon request.