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 Cleanup Enforcement ensures remediation or cleanup of a waste site or facility, including Superfund sites.
Atlantic States Cast Iron Pipe Company Yard
The trial beginning in September 2005 is the longest federal trial (defined in length, from jury selection to verdict) in environmental crimes history.
This is the fourth in a series of cases against McWane: three other McWane divisions (Pacific States Cast Iron Pipe Company in Provo, UT; McWane Union Foundry in Anniston, AL; and Tyler Pipe Company in Tyler, TX), along with individual defendants, have been convicted following trials, or pled guilty, for committing environmental crimes. The investigation of a fifth McWane division, McWane Cast Iron Pipe Company, is ongoing.
For more information- Man Convicted by Jury of Violating the Safe Drinking Water Act (PDF) (1 pg, 20K About PDF)
- Exxon-Mobil sentenced in Boston Harbor oil spill - Corporation to Pay $6 million for Criminal Violation of the Clean Water Act (PDF) (3 pp, 39K About PDF)
- Atlantic Wire Sentenced for Violating the Federal Clean Water Act (PDF) (4 pp, 39K About PDF)
Investigations
The EPA investigates allegations of criminal wrongdoing
prohibited by various environmental statutes.
EPA Fugitives | 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...