Brannon Finney, Clean Water Act Violation, Alaska 2019

Petersburg, AK – Brannon Finney, captain of the fishing vessel Alaskan Girl, has been sentenced for illegally dumping sandblast waste into Alaska’s Sumner Strait in 2017. The case, prosecuted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), highlights a deliberate act of environmental pollution motivated by cost-cutting measures.

According to court documents, Finney directed his crew to discharge approximately 16,000 pounds of sandblast waste—a hazardous byproduct of vessel maintenance—into the pristine waters of Sumner Strait. The waste consisted of copper slag and paint chips generated during the re-painting of the Alaskan Girl. Rather than properly disposing of the material at a designated facility, Finney opted for an illegal and environmentally damaging solution.

The illegal dumping wasn’t a clandestine operation. Disturbingly, the act was captured on video by a cameraman onboard the vessel, who was documenting the voyage for a potential reality television show. The footage clearly shows crewmembers slicing open a large “super sack” containing the waste, allowing the black, sandy material to spill directly into the ocean. Audio from the video reportedly includes celebratory comments from crewmembers as the pollution occurred.

The EPA’s investigation was triggered by a complaint and subsequently corroborated by the video evidence. When confronted by an Alaska Wildlife Trooper in Petersburg, Finney admitted to the dumping, stating that he avoided the $1,500 cost of proper disposal. This admission proved crucial in building the case against him. The incident underscores the ongoing challenge of balancing commercial interests with environmental protection in Alaska’s sensitive marine ecosystems.

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Legal Ramifications

Finney pleaded guilty to violating the Clean Water Act, specifically 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(1)(A) and 33 U.S.C. 1311(a). These statutes prohibit the unauthorized discharge of pollutants into navigable waters of the United States. On May 22, 2019, he received a sentence of an $8,000 fine, an 18-month term of probation, 40 hours of community service, and a $2,000 community service payment to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. In a unique component of the sentencing, the court also mandated that Finney publish a public apology in a government-approved fishing trade publication, aiming to deter similar behavior within the industry.

Key Facts

Defendant: Brannon Finney
Vessel: F/V Alaskan Girl
Location: Sumner Strait, Alaska
Date of Offense: June 15, 2017
Waste Discharged: Approximately 16,000 pounds of sandblast waste (copper slag and paint chips)
Motivation: Avoiding approximately $1,500 in disposal costs
Evidence: Video footage captured by a cameraman onboard the vessel
Statutes Violated: 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(1)(A), 33 U.S.C. 1311(a)
Penalties: $8,000 fine, 18 months probation, 40 hours community service, $2,000 to National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, public apology.

The EPA continues to prioritize enforcement of the Clean Water Act, especially in ecologically sensitive areas like Alaskan waters. This case serves as a stark reminder that environmental crimes will be investigated and prosecuted, and that individuals who prioritize profit over environmental responsibility will face legal consequences.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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