Browns' Thomas accused of environmental violations

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Wisconsin officials have accused Cleveland Browns lineman Joe Thomas of committing nearly a dozen environmental violations on his hunting land west of Madison.

The state Department of Natural Resources sent the former Wisconsin Badgers standout and seven-time Pro Bowler a letter Wednesday accusing him of 11 violations. They range from building bridges and dams and enlarging a pond without permits to tearing down a barn without notice of intent and discharging manure into a wetland.

DNR officials want to meet with Thomas on Jan. 6 - after the regular season ends - to discuss the allegations. Some of the violations are punishable by fines of $10,000 for every day in violation, the letter says, but doesn't offer details on the number of days.

DNR spokesman Bob Manwell declined to comment on the violations.

The Browns said they would try to make Thomas available for comment following Friday's practice. Thomas told the Wisconsin State Journal on Thursday the land was littered with old farm equipment, buildings and other junk when he bought it three years ago and he's simply been trying to clean it up. The contractors he hired didn't know they needed permits for certain activities, he told the newspaper.

"I know it sounds horrific when you see the list of violations," he said, "but in the end it's just rabbit turds here."

The letter accuses developer Patrick O'Connor and Darrick Luck, who runs a company called Old Wood New Use, LLC, of the same violations. Old Wood New Use demolishes old buildings and recycles any material from them that's still usable.

O'Connor told The Associated Press in an email Friday that he helped Thomas purchase the land in 2012. It was littered with old farm equipment and dilapidated buildings, O'Connor said. Thomas hired Luck in May to demolish the structures and Connor along with some friends cleaned up the trash. No one realized they needed permits, O'Connor said.

An anonymous tipster mistakenly reported a manure spill they drained water from a manure storage basin, O'Connor said. Thomas subsequently obtained a manure structure closing permit from county officials, he said.

DNR officials agreed to issue retroactive permits. Thomas was waiting for that paperwork when he got Wednesday's letter, O'Connor said.

"There is no issue here," he wrote. "The real story is Joe and his family should be receiving an award for cleaning up an environmental eyesore."

Luck declined comment to The Associated Press on Friday morning, but told the State Journal it was "crazy" for the DNR to demand notification prior to demolition.

Thomas was a 2006 consensus All-American and first-team All-Big Ten player at Wisconsin. He also became the first Badger to win the Outland Trophy, an award recognizing college football's top interior lineman.

The Browns selected Thomas in the first round of the 2007 NFL draft. He's never missed a snap during his pro career.