A Leelanau County man is facing criminal charges after Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel says he filled, drained, and dredged protected wetlands without a permit.
Vincent Tomczak, 71, of Leland Township, was arraigned in 86th District Court on Tuesday, Oct. 20.
Tomczak allegedly dredged and filled at least one acre of protected wetlands beginning in 2023 and failed to obtain required permits from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).
When he was notified that restoration was required, officials say he made no effort, despite ample time.
Additionally, regulators allege he continued the violations after notices were issued.
EGLE, according to Nessel, sent multiple site violation notices and restoration orders,
contacted Tomczak directly, visited the site multiple times, and in 2024, executed a search warrant at Tomczak’s property, among other things.
The Free Press reached out to Tomczak’s attorney, Dominic Silvestri of Royal Oak, on Thursday, Oct. 22, who did not immediately respond for comment.
“Michigan protects its wetlands with strict regulations and, when necessary, criminal penalties,” Nessel said in a news release. “These protections help maintain a healthy environment and defend fragile and sometimes irreplaceable ecosystems. EGLE takes seriously their obligation to defend the resources of our State, and, in my office, we will prosecute when necessary to uphold and enforce compliance with the law.”
Jalen Williams is a trending reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jawilliams1@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Leelanau man charged after allegedly destroying wetlands
