The Bear's Club in Jupiter, Fla., a club popular among professional golfers living in the area, has settled a federal lawsuit concerning alleged Clean Water Act violations by agreeing to pay a $400,000 civil penalty.
The lawsuit, filed in October 2016 by the U.S. District Attorney in South Florida, was brought against several Bear’s Club development entities and companies, alleging the developers improperly filled nearly an acre of wetlands to make the golf course more playable for shorter hitters. This action allegedly violated the developers' agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, according to the South Florida Business Journal.
In addition to the $400,000 penalty, the developers pledged to preserve 7 acres of wetlands at Grassy Waters Preserve.
The Bear's Club is part of a 369-acre golf course community, whose development began in 1999. Jack Nicklaus, whose nickname is in the club's name, is a managing member of the club, but wasn't listed as an owner or developer in the lawsuit.
