CONVICTED: Was justice served?
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Case #2317 Rating: 2.3 out of 5
Destruction of beaver dams at a nature preserve
Merrimack, NH (US)Incident Date: Saturday, Jan 31, 2004
County: Hillsborough
Disposition: Convicted
Defendant/Suspect: Scott R. Richard
The state Fish and Game Department investigated the destruction of several beaver dams in the Horse Hill Nature Preserve and at the Watanic Bowman Archery Club. State law forbids the destruction of beaver dames without obtaining a permit. Each violation is punishable with a maximum fine of $1000 per incident.
A 2 to 3 foot wide gap in each of the dames created a deluge, draining ponds and swamps. At least 7 dams were breached by the vandalism including a large dame that is fed by the town-owned White Pines Swamp. This dame is nearly 100 feet long, 5 feet high and at least 20 years old. The deep water at the swamp created a home for fish and a habitat that supports Great Blue Herons.
Roughly 50 beavers live in the area. At the White Pines Swamp the beavers have begun working to repair the dams as is evident by fresh chopping away at trees (fresh cuttings). Destroying beaver dams effects the entire ecosystem. Authorities are now concerned that coyotes have been able to enter the beaver hut since the entrance is no longer submerged and has killed some of the fish population.
The investigation lead to Scott Richard of 32 Ingham Rd. Richard was served with 3 court summonses for 3 "protection of beaver" violations.
Richard who had no prior record plead guilty to the charges. Judge Clifford Kinghorn issued a $100 fine, $800 suspended on the condition that Richard completes 80 hours of community service with a non-profit organization within 90 days. The total fine was $240, $200 plus $40 court costs.
2 of the charges for the dams at Watanic Bowmen were dropped in exchange for a guilty plea on the 3rd violation. Richard damaged the dams with the intent of drying out the area and preventing the spread of West Nile Virus through mosquitoes. References- WMUR TV
- The Merrimack Journal
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