(Spirit Lake)– The state of Iowa is suing developers of Bridges Bay Resort on the southeast side of East Lake Okoboji for alleged environmental violations.
The suit was filed Wednesday in Dickinson County District Court by the state Attorney General’s Office. It asks for an injunction against the developer, Sioux Falls-based Equity Homes. The suit also asks for civil penalties of up to five-thousand dollars a day per violation for alleged water pollution; and up to 10-thousand dollars a day for alleged air pollution.
Officials with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources documented silt from the site running into East Lake Okoboji. The agency also took photos of construction waste that was being burned on the site.
The alleged violations were documented from June, 2005 through this past September.
A spokesman for Equity Homes says the company voluntarily included low-impact development practices in the project.
The 20-acre development includes a hotel, condominiums and an indoor water park.
