A North Idaho developer who caused $1.4 million in damage to kokanee spawning beds in Lake Pend Oreille last year faced only a $2,500 fine, but under legislation that won unanimous approval from the Idaho Senate today, such violations in the future could bring fines of $10,000 or $1,000 a day – whichever is bigger. “It was perceived that because the penalties in place … weren’t sufficient to deter the person from making these changes, in other words it was a cost of doing business,” Sen. Mike Jorgenson, R-Hayden Lake, told the Senate. A 30-day cease-and-desist warning is required under the bill, SB 1449, and the measure wouldn’t change requirements to restore damage/Betsy Z. Russell, SR Eye On Boise. More here

Eye On Boise roundup:
*Grocery tax hearing done, vote set for Tuesday
*Honk, honk, honk
*Lake dock bill killed 5-4
*Constitutional change planned for local-option taxes

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