Criminal Enforcement

EPA's criminal enforcement program uses stringent sanctions, including jail sentences, to promote deterrence and help ensure compliance in order to protect human health and the environment. Criminal enforcement is often used against the most serious environmental violations as well as those which involve egregious negligence or conduct involving intentional, willful or knowing disregard of the law.

Civil Enforcement brings polluters into compliance with environmental laws without the use of criminal sanctions and Clean Up Enforcement ensures remediation or cleanup of a waste site or facility, including Superfund sites.

During the month of October, we remember two Special Agents, who gave their lives carrying out their duties to protect the environment.

Special Agent Dave DeLitta
End of Watch: October 28, 1988

Special Agent Tim Fidel (1 pg, 47K About PDF)
End of Watch: October 29, 2004

• Hessmer, LA canning company sentenced in Federal court on a charge of negligent illegal discharge of pollutants (PDF) (3 pp 53K About PDF) - Oct 24
• Company executives and employee of Michigan wastewater treatment company found guilty of illegally discharging untreated liquid wastes (PDF) (4 pp, 49 About PDF) - Oct 21
• Southern Union is found guilty of illegally storing mercury at a Pawtucket site (PDF) (2 pp, 30K About PDF) - Oct. 15

Investigations
The EPA investigates allegations of criminal wrongdoing prohibited by various environmental statutes.
Special Agents | Remembering Our Fallen Agents | Signs of Environmental Violations | What is an Environmental Crime? | More...

Homeland Security
Interagency coordination mechanism and management structure to be employed by federal agencies in response to domestic and international terrorism.
Crisis Management | Consequence Management | Counter Terrorism | More...

Intergovernmental Partnerships
Alliances of regulatory and law enforcement organizations throughout the U.S. and Canada that promote the effective enforcement.
Environmental Crimes Task Force | National Environmental Crime Prevention Week | More...

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