PITTSVILLE, Wis. (WSAU) – Two Pittsville residents have agreed to pay $15,000 to settle an environmental lawsuit over allegations they illegally excavated several wetland areas on their property in 2007 to make room for two more artificial ponds.

Daniel Wald and Jane McDonald are also accused of dumping the soil they excavated onto three or four more acres of wetlands to create dry land along the shores of the new ponds. The two did not apply for a certification that the activity would comply with state water quality standards.

Wald and McDonald have agreed to restore the wetlands in accordance with a DNR-approved plan.