Three people have been charged after cutting a stop bank on the Hikurangi swamp during the first of two storms that hit Northland in July.
The Northland Regional Council issued infringement notices to farmer Evan Smeath, Clim Lammers and Stephen Brown after the July 8 storm.
Smeath and Lammers have pleaded not guilty to two charges of diverting water and discharging contaminants when the Hikurangi Swamp Scheme stop banks were cut. Lammers elected a jury trial. Smeath was yet to elect what course of action he will take.
Both will be recalled to the Whangarei District Court on January 16, 2015.
Brown has pleaded guilty to three charges and he will be back in court on December 15 when a sentencing date may be set.