Heidgerken V. State

George Heidgerken appeals a $10,000 civil penalty imposed by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The DNR fined Heidgerken because of his failure to comply with a Forest Practices Act reforestation order. Heidgerken contends that DNR improperly applied the penalty statute retroactively. We conclude that because Heidgerken violated the statute after its effective date, DNR applied it prospectively. Further, we find no merit to Heidgerken's other issues. Thus, we affirm.