Cutting Losses
The contested case hearing over the destruction of strand habitat for endangered yellow-faced bees has almost come to an end, nearly three years after it occurred.
Landowner Sushil Garg has denied ever authorizing the work, yet he pre-paid for the rental of equipment used, praised — or was at least okay with — the work after it had begun, then, afterward, paid the clearing crew for their time and reimbursed his contractor for expenses.
The losses to the bees’ habitat and the larger strand ecosystem cannot be measured in monetary terms. The Department of Land and Natural Resources’ proposed fine of more than $3 million is perhaps all the state can get, but it by no means makes the state whole.
