New Jersey Environmental Agency Faces Penalties For Destroying Habitat It Was Meant To Protect

New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection damaged habitat for threatened and endangered birds that it was supposed to protect.
The DEP's work destroyed habitat for two bird species while attempting to create habitat for another.
The DEP issued a violation notice against its own Division of Fish and Wildlife for unauthorized work damaging wetlands.
The DEP will likely issue penalties against itself for the damage done and require a restoration plan for the site.
The unauthorized work cleared vegetation and disturbed soil on nearly 3 acres of protected wetlands.