HAILEY, Idaho (AP) — Actor Bruce Willis will pay a $21,000 fine for
violating federal wetlands protection laws by clearing a half-acre
island in a pond at his central Idaho home.

By Jennifer Graylock, AP

Willis stopped the work as soon as federal officials notified him and
began restoration of the island to its former state. Willis was cited
last October for clearing the small island, installing a sprinkler
system, and adding topsoil to level depressions so sod could be laid.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency officials claimed he also dumped 10
cubic yards of fill material in a stream to provide access to the island.

The wetlands had been part of a spring-fed tributary of the Big Wood
River. "He wanted to be able to use it and that's why he did what he
did," said attorney Ned Williamson, who represented Willis. "He was
cleaning up this island. He simply did not know it was in wetland
jurisdiction." Williamson said Willis stopped the work as soon as
federal officials notified him and began restoration of the island to
its former state before the settlement announced this week was negotiated.

Under the settlement, the island will be replanted and its wetlands
character restored by Oct. 31. The site will then be monitored for the
next decade.

The EPA says wetlands throughout Idaho, especially in the Sun Valley
resort area, are disappearing because of burgeoning development and
increased recreational use. "Less than one percent of our state is
wetlands," said Jim Werntz, the EPA's Idaho director. "And that one
percent provides over 50% of Idaho's wildlife habitat.

It was the second time Willis, star of films like the Die Hard series
and The Sixth Sense, has run afoul of environmental regulations at the
residence he has owned since 1987. In 1998, the Idaho Department of
Water Resources cited him for violating conditions of a stream
alteration permit and required him to remove rock jetties and flow
control structures installed in the Big Wood River. The department
dropped all charges against Willis in that case after he cooperated with
federal officials, Williamson said.

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