VENTURA : Man Accused of Tree Dumping in River

A Ventura man accused of dumping tons of debris into the Ventura River over the past four years has been indicted by the Ventura County grand jury.

John F. Appel, 50, who operates the Eager Beaver Tree Service, is charged with dumping tree branches, logs and other material into more than 15 acres of river channels and wetlands--a violation of state environmental law punishable by up to six years in prison.

Appel has denied the charges.

The alleged dumping took place on a 31-acre parcel that Appel owns in Casitas Springs, Environmental Protection Agency officials have said.

Appel’s son Tony, 30, was also indicted on charges of conspiracy to violate environmental laws. He could face up to three years in state prison.

Both men are scheduled to be arraigned in Superior Court in Ventura on May 26, according to a statement released by the Ventura County district attorney’s office.

Responding to complaints, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers launched an investigation against Appel in 1993, concluding that he was illegally dumping in the Ventura River and San Antonio Creek.

Because he had no permit, the corps ordered him to stop. He refused, EPA officials have said.

The EPA then ordered Appel to cease dumping. Again Appel refused, officials said. The agency filed a lawsuit against him in November, and a federal judge in December ordered Appel to stop dumping into the river.