A Waikato farmer and an earthworks contractor have been fined almost $58,000 for carrying out major earthworks without consent in 2007.
Peter O'Reilly, of Matamata, was fined $26,000 and McPherson Contractors just over $32,000 in Hamilton District Court. Both pleaded guilty.
Waikato Regional Council, which brought the charges, says major earthworks resulted in tonnes of sediment getting into nearby waterways and eventually the Waihou River.
Grant Blackie from the council says failure to follow the rules properly can have significant environmental effects.
Mr Blackie says the case sends a strong warning to people who do not follow proper procedures with enviromentally risky earthworks.
