CRIME
Michigan Man Convicted For Manually Diverting River In National Park To Allow Unauthorized Boat Access
National Park Service
A Michigan man was convicted this week of tampering and vandalism at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore after he manually diverted the Platte River in 2022 to allow unauthorized boat access.
The Platte River runs through Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and empties into Lake Michigan. In August 2022, National Park Service law enforcement officers investigated reports that the river had been dammed and diverted near its mouth.
Investigators learned that Andrew Blair Howard, 63, used a shovel to dig out the river basin and stacked large rocks on a dam to divert the rivers natural flow to a newly created channel into Lake Michigan, in order to allow unauthorized access for large boats to enter Platte Bay.
The diversion was contrary to a decision by the National Park Service to let the river follow its natural course, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan said in a statement.
Within days, the newly created channel spread to approximately 200 feet wide.
“The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a Michigan jewel,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “Every year countless visitors enjoy its pristine waters, towering sand dunes, and rolling forests. Mr. Howard had a policy dispute with the National Park Service and took matters into his own hands, breaking the law rather than using lawful means to advocate for his position. His actions resulted in significant financial and ecological harm and altered the landscape so many enjoyed.”
In a bench trial, federal Magistrate Judge Ray Kent convicted Howard of one count of tampering and one count of vandalism, finding that the defendant “intended to and in fact did divert the flow of the Platte River into Platte Bay.”
“The National Park Service appreciates the support of the U.S. Attorneys Office in enforcing the laws that help protect this place for future generations.” said Superintendent Scott Tucker. “Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore was created in 1970 to preserve and protect this spectacular place.”
TMX contributed to this article.
