A fine of $5,000 has been levied against the Fosters and the agreement calls for payment to be made in three installments, $1,000 within 10 days of ratification of the agreement and two payments of $2,000 by Oct. 31 and Dec. 31.

Additionally, the Fosters have had to remove all added material to the shoreline path area. The exposed soils in the area have stabilized by natural regeneration, but the Fosters still must reconstruct a drainage pipe to prevent ditch water from discharging directly into the lake.

Charles Foster, when reached at his home, declined to comment on the decision except to say, "I'll be reluctant to fix any more hiking trails for the public."

The site where the Fosters extracted the gravel to add to the shoreline path exceeds more than 24,000 square feet, a site at which LURC prohibits such activity. While the Fosters have graded the gravel extraction area, they have been ordered to stabilize the area with vegetation to prevent erosion.

The illegal actions began in the fall of 1999. No permits were requested from LURC and none would have been granted, as such actions are prohibited at the sites. The gravel was removed from an area within 200 feet of Moosehead Lake and the shoreline path lies within 25 feet of the lake.

The commission notified the Fosters of the violations incurred first on Oct. 31, 2000. When compliance had not been met after subsequent inspections, further notifications were made on July 11, 2001 and Aug. 22, 2002.

The Fosters live in Kineo Township and own and operate a resort business there. Neither Foster was present at the LURC hearing to speak to the agreement.