California Couple Fined $18,000 for Bulldozing Iconic Joshua Trees
The authorities say they hope the fine will deter people from harming the trees, which are protected under the California Endangered Species Act.
A portion of the 36 Joshua trees that were unearthed during an investigation in San Bernardino County, Calif. Credit.California Department of Fish and Wildlife
June 30, 2021Updated 6:34 p.m. ET
A California couple who mowed down 36 protected Joshua trees to clear their land for a new house have been fined $18,000, a punishment the authorities hope will discourage others from uprooting the iconic desert plants.
A nearby landowner reported seeing Jeffrey Walter and Jonetta Nordberg-Walter bulldoze the land and bury the trees in a hole in February, the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office said in a statement on Tuesday.
California couple fined $24,000 for destroying 36 Joshua trees to make way for house construction msn.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from msn.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Couple Fined $18,000 for Digging Up 36 Endangered Joshua Trees gizmodo.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from gizmodo.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Punishment for California couple who killed dozens of Joshua trees Share Updated: 11:32 AM PDT Jun 28, 2021 By Katie Dowd , SFGATE Share Updated: 11:32 AM PDT Jun 28, 2021
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Show Transcript IS óóóóóóó. TIME NOW TO TAKE A LOOK AT THIS MORNING S TOP STORIES.. A 25 ACRE FIRE SPARKING ON PRIVATE PROPERTY IN KING CITY SUNDAY AFTERNOO N. THE FIRE STARTED SOUTH OF HIGHWAY 101. NEAR JOLON ROAD. FIREFIGHTERS SAY THE WIND QUICKLY SPREAD THE FI. RE THE FIRE ALSO CAUS ED TRAFFIC DELAYS ON THE HIGHWAY IN BOTH DIRECTIONS. THE CAUSE IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION. ### PROGRESS IS BEING MA DE ON THE WILLOW FIRE, THAT S BEEN BURNING IN THE VENTANA WILDERNESS FOR MORE THAN A WEEK. CONTAINMENT IS NOW AT 73 PERCENT. AND THE FIRE IS HOLDING STEADY AT JUST UNDER 29 HUNDRED ACRES. EVACUATION ORDERS AND WARNINGS WERE LIFTED F OR MOST AREAS OF THE FIRE. ALL ROAD CLOSURES AROUND THE WILLOW FIRE ALSO NOW LIFTED. ##