Willis to pay for disturbing wetland

Bruce Willis will pay a $21,000 fine for violating federal wetlands protection laws by clearing a half-acre island in a pond at his central Idaho home.

Willis was cited in October for clearing the small island, installing a sprinkler system and adding topsoil to level depressions so sod could be laid. Environmental Protection Agency officials claimed he also dumped 10 cubic yards of fill material in a stream to provide access to the island.

The wetlands had been part of a spring-fed tributary of the Big Wood River.

“He wanted to be able to use it and that’s why he did what he did,” said lawyer Ned Williamson, who represented the 49-year-old actor. “He was cleaning up this island. He simply did not know it was in wetland jurisdiction.”

Williamson said Willis stopped the work when federal officials notified him, and he began restoring the island to its former state before the settlement announced this week was negotiated.