How do I report an environmental violation?
EPA's Report an Environmental Violation website provides a way for you to report suspected environmental violations. Assuring compliance with our nation's environmental laws is one of EPA's primary commitments. In carrying out this responsibility, we use many different approaches.
How do I search for EPA enforcement cases?
The ECHO Enforcement Case Search queries civil cases entered into the Integrated Compliance Information System (ICIS) and criminal cases entered into the Summary of Criminal Prosecutions database. Locate EPA enforcement cases by searching:
Why is my environmental violation report status showing as verification expired?
Some users are experiencing issues related to user validation on the ECHO Report Environmental Violation form. If you receive a "Verification Expired" message, please try to submit your report again. EPA is working to resolve the issue. Please note that there is a limit of three report submissions per 24-hour period.
What to do if you see an environmental event?
If you are seeing an environmental event that may lead to an immediate threat to human health or the environment, call 911, then report it to the National Response Center at: 1-800-424-8802. Learn the difference between a possible violation and an emergency.
What does the EPA investigate?
These investigations look for violations of the law and involve such areas as financial fraud, employee misconduct, intrusion of EPA systems and computers, impersonation of EPA officials, and theft of EPA property and funds.
What can be reported to EPA?
If you suspect fraud, waste, abuse, misconduct, or mismanagement involving the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, please report it to EPA's Office of Inspector General (OIG). Complete the EPA OIG Hotline Complaint Form.
Is there a reward for reporting EPA violations?
While the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other federal and state agencies can impose fines or seek damages from polluters and others under a number of different laws, the environmental laws do not generally provide financial rewards for whistleblowers who report violations.
Who enforces the EPA Act?
U.S. EPA Region 9 oversees federal environmental enforcement in the Pacific Southwest, including California, on issues relating to federal air, water, waste, pesticides, and toxics statutes.
What is the most costly violation issued by the EPA?
EPA Penalties The maximum civil penalty for violations of the Clean Air Act will rise from $37,500 to $93,750. The maximum penalties under the Clean Water Act will rise from $37,500 to $51,570.
What is environmental violation?
Environmental Law Violations. Environmental crime refers to the violation of laws intended to protect the environment and human health. These laws govern air and water quality and dictate the ways in which the disposal of waste and hazardous materials can legally take place.
How much do whistleblowers get?
Whistleblowers may be eligible for an award when they voluntarily provide the SEC with original, timely, and credible information that leads to a successful enforcement action. Whistleblower awards can range from 10 percent to 30 percent of the money collected when the monetary sanctions exceed $1 million.
How do you report an environmental violation?
If you are seeing an environmental event that may lead to an immediate threat to human health or the environment, call 911, then report it to the National Response Center at: 1-800-424-8802. Choose "No" to continue reporting a possible violation that is not an emergency.
How long does it take to get whistleblower money?
Typically, after the SEC posts the Notice of Eligibility, it takes 12-18 months for SEC whistleblowers to receive their monetary award.
Can the EPA shut down a business?
It's more common to see the agency issue a fine — and some EPA violations fines are extensive. However, if the violation is particularly severe or the company has no regard for environmental law, the EPA can take action against a business that could result in its closure.
What powers of enforcement does the EPA have?
It was established in 1982 and granted full law enforcement authority by congress in 1988. We enforce the nations laws by investigating cases, collecting evidence, conducting forensic analyses and providing legal guidance to assist with prosecutions.
What authority does the EPA have?
United StatesUnited States Environmental Protection Agency / Jurisdiction
What powers of enforcement does the EPA have?
It was established in 1982 and granted full law enforcement authority by congress in 1988. We enforce the nations laws by investigating cases, collecting evidence, conducting forensic analyses and providing legal guidance to assist with prosecutions.
What authority does the EPA have?
United StatesUnited States Environmental Protection Agency / Jurisdiction
Can the EPA shut down a business?
It's more common to see the agency issue a fine — and some EPA violations fines are extensive. However, if the violation is particularly severe or the company has no regard for environmental law, the EPA can take action against a business that could result in its closure.
What does EPA regulate?
The EPA regulates the manufacturing, processing, distribution, and use of chemicals and other pollutants. Also, the EPA is charged with determining safe tolerance levels for chemicals and other pollutants in food, animal feed, and water. The EPA enforces its findings through fines, sanctions, and other procedures.
What to do if you are experiencing an environmental emergency?from epa.gov
If you are experiencing an environmental emergency or are witnessing an environmental event that poses an imminent threat to human health or the environment, contact the National Response Center.
What is the EPA's enforcement program?from epa.gov
What EPA's Enforcement Program Does. The mission of EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) is to improve the environment and protect human health by ensuring compliance with environmental laws and regulations, preventing pollution and promoting environmental stewardship. An effective environmental protection system requires ...
What is an Environmental Crime?from epa.gov
Violations of environmental laws take many different forms. Some are done intentionally and may be criminal violations. For more information on environmental crimes, please review the Violation Types and Examples page.
Is there a limit to ECHO report submissions?from echo.epa.gov
EPA is working to resolve the issue. Please note that there is a limit of three report submissions per 24-hour period.
Does the EPA have jurisdiction over food safety?from epa.gov
What Not to Report. EPA does not have jurisdiction over automobile safety, consumer product safety, foods, medicine, cosmetics, or medical devices. These and other issues are concerns of other federal, tribal, state or local agencies. Does EPA Handle all Environmental Concerns?
How to file a complaint with the EPA?from epa.ie
The best way to lodge a complaint with the EPA is to use our Online Complaint Form. This form captures all the relevant details about your complaint, and the completed form is automatically forwarded to the appropriate EPA team for their attention.
What is the CWA problem in Nebraska?from echo.epa.gov
Nebraska's CWA data problem is related to facilities appearing in ECHO as noncompliant for failing to submit expected DMRs, which may or may not be the case. The state agency is working with EPA to resolve this issue.
What is the EPA's NHDPlus?from echo.epa.gov
Using a medium resolution National Hydrology Plus (NHDPlus) Dataset supplied by the USGS, EPA mapped (reach indexed) locations from both ICIS-NPDES effluent discharge locations and SDWIS drinking water intakes to the nearest water feature within the NHDPlus. Using software developed by EPA’s Office of Water, all NPDES Permits that have an effluent discharge location less than 15 miles above a drinking water intake are identified, along with the actual Drinking Water System identifiers (PWSIDs) with intakes that are within the 15 mile range.
What is the CWA problem in West Virginia?from echo.epa.gov
West Virginia's CWA data problem is related to data flow errors causing some facilities to be flagged inaccurately as Significant/Reportable Noncompliers (SNC or RNC) in the national program system, ICIS-NPDES. Users should verify these data with the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection prior to using it for any intended purpose.
What is the problem with CWA in Vermont?from echo.epa.gov
Vermont’s CWA data problem is related to the incomplete upload of Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) data from the state’s Wastewater Inventory data management system to EPA's ICIS-NPDES system, causing facilities that have satisfied permit reporting requirements to be depicted in ICIS and ECHO as having incomplete, deficient or in some instances no monitoring and reporting data.
What to do if the local council has not addressed the problem in a reasonable period?from epa.ie
If the local council has not addressed the problem in a reasonable period, or if you are not satisfied that the problem has been properly investigated, you may lodge a complaint with the EPA make a complaint to the EPA: You should provide details about: the nature, duration and impact of the problem.
What is a complaint in confidence?from epa.ie
Complain in confidence. When you make a complaint about an environmental issue, you will be asked to give your name and contact details. These are “personal data” under the Data Protection Act 2018 and the General Data Protection Regulation or GDPR.
Why is Wisconsin not submitting discharge monitoring reports?from echo.epa.gov
Wisconsin's CWA data problem is related to issues affecting the upload of data to the national program system ICIS-NPDES. Discharge Monitoring Report and facility compliance status data displayed on ECHO may not be accurate. Specifically, facilities may appear to be in noncompliance for failing to submit required discharge monitoring reports, which may or may not be the case. Users are encouraged to contact the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to verify the compliance status of a facility prior to taking action based upon the data obtained from ECHO.
What is the problem with CWA in Vermont?from echo.epa.gov
Vermont’s CWA data problem is related to the incomplete upload of Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) data from the state’s Wastewater Inventory data management system to EPA's ICIS-NPDES system, causing facilities that have satisfied permit reporting requirements to be depicted in ICIS and ECHO as having incomplete, deficient or in some instances no monitoring and reporting data.
What is the CWA problem in Nebraska?from echo.epa.gov
Nebraska's CWA data problem is related to facilities appearing in ECHO as noncompliant for failing to submit expected DMRs, which may or may not be the case. The state agency is working with EPA to resolve this issue.
What is the EPA's NHDPlus?from echo.epa.gov
Using a medium resolution National Hydrology Plus (NHDPlus) Dataset supplied by the USGS, EPA mapped (reach indexed) locations from both ICIS-NPDES effluent discharge locations and SDWIS drinking water intakes to the nearest water feature within the NHDPlus. Using software developed by EPA’s Office of Water, all NPDES Permits that have an effluent discharge location less than 15 miles above a drinking water intake are identified, along with the actual Drinking Water System identifiers (PWSIDs) with intakes that are within the 15 mile range.
What is the CWA problem in West Virginia?from echo.epa.gov
West Virginia's CWA data problem is related to data flow errors causing some facilities to be flagged inaccurately as Significant/Reportable Noncompliers (SNC or RNC) in the national program system, ICIS-NPDES. Users should verify these data with the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection prior to using it for any intended purpose.
How to search for HUCs?from echo.epa.gov
To search, enter a code or watershed name, respectively, to view and select the HUCs matching your term from the dropdown. For more information, see Facility Search Criteria Help.
Does Echo Biosolids have an annual report?from echo.epa.gov
The ECHO Biosolids Annual Report search is limited to only the NPDES IDs that submitted annual reports, which does not represent the entire biosolids universe.
Searching Properties for Environmental Concerns
MyProperty is a tool for searching facility data that come from multiple EPA data sources available through the EPA's Facility Registry System (FRS).
Search Property Location
Enter Street Address (ex, "1200 Pennsylvania Ave NW"), City (ex, "Washington") and State (ex, "DC"). Note, this search will attempt to find an address in the EPA database that is a "letter for letter" exact match with the address that is entered. Please be aware of the various forms of addresses that exist (for example "St" vs. "Street").
What not to report environmental programs?
What Not to Report: Many environmental programs have been delegated to other federal, tribal, state or local agencies and they have primary responsibility for them. Often, it is most appropriate to contact your local (city or county) or state environmental or health agency rather than EPA.
Where to file a whistleblower complaint?
If you believe you have experienced retaliation as a result of reporting a violation of one of EPA's statutes, you may wish to file a whistleblower complaint with the United States Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
What to do if you see an environmental event that may lead to immediate threat to human health or the environment?
Learn the difference between a possible violation and an emergency.
Do you have to provide contact information to EPA?
You are not required to provide your contact information in order for EPA to review your tip or complaint. However, if you do not provide contact information, EPA may be unable to contact you for additional information that may be needed to determine whether or not an investigation is warranted.
