Who needs 13 million gallons of water in private reservoirs?

[struggle4progress]

35. Harrington Conviction and Sentence for 11 Years of Illegal Water Use

On Wednesday July 11, 2012, a Jackson County Circuit Court Jury convicted Eagle Point resident Gary A. Harrington on nine counts, each related to the unauthorized use of water ... Harrington stored and used water illegally by placing dams across channels on his property and preventing the flow of water out of these artificial reservoirs without obtaining a water right permit ... The state first identified Harrington’s illegal water use more than ten years ago and initiated enforcement action to discontinue his illegal use of water ... Harrington pleaded guilty to several violations. He was assessed a nominal fine and ordered to drain the three reservoirs, which he did. However, Harrington again closed the headgates in 2004 and refilled the reservoirs. As a result .. the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office ... filed misdemeanor charges against Harrington, and in 2008 he pled guilty to one count. He was issued another fine, placed on one year probation, and was again ordered to drain the reservoirs. According to testimony in the most recent trial, the day after Harrington’s probation expired, he again closed the outlet valves and refilled the reservoirs ... On Wednesday the Court sentenced Mr. Harrington to 30 days in jail and three years’ probation, and imposed a $1,500 fine. Judge Timothy Gerking also ordered that the headgates holding back the water be opened and kept open with locks and chains. He also ordered the dams to be breached after the water is drained ...

http://www.kval.com/news/Eagle-Point-man-jailed-for-illegal-water-reservoirs-164206356.html


So he's already pleaded guilty twice before in prosecutions on this matter