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Nels Nicholas Niemi, 75, was the leader of a 12-day
non-commercial rafting trip through Grand Canyon National Park
during which rubbish was dropped in the river daily, the U.S.
Attorney's Office for the District of Arizona said.
Niemi was told at the outset that his group must take with them
all refuse and garbage it produced, the office said in a
statement, adding he then displayed complete disregard for
regulations designed to protect the river ecosystem.
The Colorado River passes through the Grand Canyon, which is one
the world's top tourist attractions and is visited by more than
4.5 million people every year.
U.S. Attorney John Leonardo said the prosecution of Niemi, who
was convicted in October, should remind all river users that the
rules were important and would be vigorously enforced.
(Reporting by Daniel Wallis in Denver; Editing by Peter Cooney)
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