Feds sue man over alleged Mount Charleston debris dumping

By Steve Green

Thursday, Aug. 20, 2009 | 10:31 a.m.

The United States is suing a man over what it calls unauthorized business operations and the dumping of debris on federal land on Mount Charleston.

Lawyers with the U.S. Attorney's Office filed suit in U.S. District Court in Las Vegas on Monday against James F. Howard Jr.

The government alleges that since about September 2003, Howard has operated a soil or dirt-sifting business and that he has dumped "foreign objects, appliances, equipment, dirt and other items" on Forest Service property without authorization.

The lawsuit also alleges he has occupied portions of the government land and constructed unauthorized fixtures on it.

Howard could not be reached for comment on the allegations.

The government says he owns property at 76 through 79 Arlberg Way adjacent to Forest Service land in the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area -- known locally as Mount Charleston, which is 30 minutes north of Las Vegas.

The lawsuit says a substantial amount of foreign matter and debris must be removed from the government land and that it will have to be restored to its natural condition at substantial cost.

"Defendants' actions have also damaged the Forest Service property by injuring native plants, degrading natural scenic, cultural and other values; and interfering with natural watersheds," the government alleges.

In its lawsuit, the government seeks unspecified financial damages and injunctions requiring Howard to remove all unauthorized materials and structures from the land and barring Howard from trespassing on the land.