A Dubuque woman faces possible jail time for polluting a wetland. Sixty-five-year-old Elaine Kelly pled guilty to one count of violating the federal Clean Water Act in connection with the construction of a campground from March of 2009 until June of 2010.
Kelly admitted in court that she dumped dredge dirt, rock, sand, trees and other materials into a wetland near a tributary of the Mississippi River by Dubuque. She also admitted that she had repeatedly been told to stop dumping the material.
Kelly is free on bond while she awaits sentencing. She faces a maximum sentence of 3 years in jail and a fine between $5,000 and $50,000 each day of violation.