If a pond requires permits for construction, and lacks them, it exists out of legal compliance. You'd think the state might allow them to request a permit after the fact to play nice, but ultimately I don't understand what all the fuss is about. If I purchase land where a fence is built on a neighbors property [I'm unaware at the time of purchase] it would remain my responsibility to remove it at the neighbors request should they eventually do so. It would suck, but it's an inherent risk of a buyer. I'm apparently missing something here. I mean, it sucks he lost his ponds, but what did the state do except enforce regulations?

Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after. ~ Henry David Thoreau

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