Evil EPA Rampages Against Property Owners

The EPA is quickly morphing into an organization like the Federal Reserve, making decisions and taking actions they believe are above the law and the courts of the United States.

Mike and Chantell Sackett acquired a piece of land in a residential subdivision of Priest Lake, Idaho, and when they started developing it were ordered by the EPA to stop their improvements and bring the property back to its original condition, asserting it was protected wetlands.

One report said "the Environmental Protection Agency showed up on the building site, demanded that the work stop and issued a 'compliance order' that the couple remove the fill they had brought in, restore the land to its native condition, plant trees every 10 feet, fence it off and let it sit for three years."

"Then they would, for costs estimated at roughly a quarter of a million dollars, be allowed to "request" permission from the government to build on their own land.

"Or else, warned the agency, there is the possibility of fines of $37,500 per day – with the total now surpassing $40 million."

The Pacific Legal Foundation has taken up the case on behalf of the Sacketts, where attorney Damien Schiff will argue the case before the Supreme Court.

Schiff said, the Sacketts "bought property, and the government in effect has ordered them to treat the property like a public park."

"The EPA has not paid them a dime for that privilege. The regime we have operating now allows the EPA to take property without having to pay for it, or giving the owners the right to their day in court."

Schiff added that the authority attempted to be exercised by the EPA is extraordinary, saying there is "no question that the power the EPA is claiming it has under the Clean Water Act is significant."

"Even if you have a good basis the think the EPA is wrong, the EPA won't let you get into the courthouse. They are able to shut the courthouse door by issuing compliance orders that are not judicially reviewable."

The stakes in this case are amazingly high. If the Supreme Court allows this type of authority to the EPA, they are essentially being granted unlimited power within the parameters of the department, and could, without the availability of the courts to its victims, take whatever steps it chooses concerning the property of American citizens.

This is why the EPA as a government entity needs to be not just brought under control, but eliminated altogether, as it serves no function allowed for the government by Jesus Christ.