AN American man from Alaska who led a rafting trip in the Grand Canyon has been fined nearly US$2,500 for dumping trash in the Colorado River and illegally collecting firewood, prosecutors said Tuesday.

    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.

    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. (SD-Agencies)