Has Pierce Brosnon taught us nothing? Far from how we should order our martinis, the former Bond actor was recently in court and later fined for
Andrew Blair Howard, a reportedly keen member of the fishing community, was seen taking a shovel to the sand in a bid to dredge a waterway between the Great Lake and the river allowing for better access for boats in August 2022. Typically the water flows down the Platte River before emptying into Lake Michigan and is enjoyed by kayakers and beachgoers.
Previously the area has been dredged every year allowing boats to pass between Platte River and into Lake Michigan to fish for salmon. However, according to the
Images above from 2022 show the extent of the diversion created by Mr Howard and others. Howard used a shovel to dig the trench and
The US Park Rangers called for
In February 2024, Howard was convicted of one count of tampering and one count of vandalism, both of which are federal misdemeanors. US Magistrate Judge Ray Kent said that Mr Howard “intended to and in fact did divert the flow of the Platte River into Platte Bay” in a
“The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a Michigan jewel,” said US 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.”
Mr Howard called his conviction a “tremendous injustice” according to the New York Times. However, tampering with US National Parks can come with