Looks like it comes under the heading "your rights end where another's begin".
“Even under the farming exemption, a discharge of dredged or fill material incidental to the farming activities that impairs the flow of the waters of the United States still requires a permit because it changes the chemical, physical and biological integrity of the waters,” the U.S. attorney said in court filings."
He should get his hand slapped for not knowing the law regarding his activities but this does sound extreme. (IMHO)
