The environment has become a pressing concern for the authorities in recent decades. In fact, there are a number of federal laws, such as the Clean Water Act and the Clean Air Act, that allow the federal government to keep close tabs on companies in particular.
Environmental law can be complex, but certain violations amount to more than civil violations. Breaching federal environmental statutes can result in severe criminal penalties.
Outlined below are some of the more common types of environmental crimes.
Illegal pollution
A few decades ago, companies may not have had to give much thought to how they disposed of waste. Today, this is much different. The emissions and waste of businesses have to be reported and disposed of appropriately. Dumping hazardous waste can be a criminal offense, particularly if the waste is dumped in rivers or in locations that increase air pollution.
Animal offenses
The federal government also takes cruelty to animals very seriously. Animals make up a crucial part of the environment. However, animals are also important to the economy in the form of the meat industry, generating close to $1 trillion of revenue every year.
Federal laws attempt to strike a balance between lawfully keeping and utilizing animals and treating them cruelly. Cruelty to animals is a serious environmental criminal offense.
Some other examples of environmental offenses include:
- Falsifying records to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Obstructing environmental inspections
- The trafficking of exotic wildlife
As environmental crimes are often charged at a federal level, charges of this nature are serious. Thus, it’s important to seek legal guidance if you find yourself in this position.