DES is watching….

[codeman671]

Saw this tonight on Facebook on NH News Now:

STATE OF NH SUES OVER UNPERMITTED WORK IN LAKE WINNIPESAUKEE - Attorney General John M. Formella and Robert R. Scott, Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Services (“NHDES”), announce that the New Hampshire Department of Justice Environmental Protection Bureau has brought a lawsuit in Carroll County Superior Court seeking civil penalties and corrective restoration to address unlawful dredging and filling of the shoreline and lake bed of Lake Winnipesaukee on and around Littlest Mud Island in Wolfeboro New Hampshire by John Murray, Legacy Lake Builders, LLC, and Murray’s Specialty Services, LLC.

The unpermitted work was reportedly conducted at the direction and with the assent of B. Cameron Pratt and Pratt Island, LLC, which owns Littlest Mud Island.

“The robust enforcement of State laws protecting irreplaceable natural resources such as Lake Winnipesaukee serves to preserve New Hampshire’s waters for current and future generations of residents and visitors,” said Attorney General Formella. “We must maintain diligent enforcement efforts in order to provide a level playing field for landowners, developers and consultants, all of whom must obtain and comply with the required permits for work conducted in and around State waters,” said Attorney General Formella.

“The numerous and extensive violations which occurred in connection with the unpermitted work on and around Littlest Mud Island are of an unprecedented scale and resulted in significant and widespread impacts to Lake Winnipesaukee, as well as to the wetlands and shoreline of the island itself. Unpermitted impacts to Lake Winnipesaukee and Littlest Mud Island must be rectified.

The Department is also seeking proportionate civil penalties for the unpermitted work, remains vigilant for all illegal work conducted in and around State waters, and is always available for compliance assistance and questions” said NHDES Commissioner Scott.

The island’s owner Pratt Island, LLC is already cooperating and has committed to filing a restoration plan with NHDES by October 2, 2026.

PRESS RELEASE COURTESY Attorney General John M. Formella and Robert R. Scott, Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Services