Richard L. Sturgeon, Violating the Clean Water Act, Missouri 2009

Lake Ozark, MO – The City of Lake Ozark and a former public works director have been penalized for years of illegally discharging raw sewage into the Lake of the Ozarks, a popular Missouri recreational area. The case, originating from a tip submitted through the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) online reporting system, highlights a disturbing pattern of negligence and a deliberate failure to address known infrastructure issues.

Richard L. Sturgeon, formerly the city’s public works director, pled guilty to violating the Clean Water Act (CWA) and was sentenced in August 2009 to three years of probation and a $5,000 fine. His conviction stemmed from a failure to report the ongoing, unauthorized discharges. This marked the first successful prosecution resulting from information received via the EPA’s “Report an Environmental Violation” website, demonstrating the agency’s commitment to leveraging public assistance in environmental enforcement.

The city itself also admitted guilt to repeatedly discharging untreated sewage from multiple collection stations directly into the Lake of the Ozarks. Investigations revealed the discharges were caused by faulty equipment and sewage overflows. Crucially, city officials were aware of the necessary repairs but failed to take corrective action, allowing the contamination to continue. The city’s plea agreement resulted in a $50,000 federal fine and a five-year probationary period.

According to court documents, the illegal discharges persisted for an extended period, posing a significant threat to both the lake’s ecosystem and public health. The CWA mandates that municipalities properly treat sewage before releasing it into navigable waters. The City of Lake Ozark’s failure to do so represents a clear violation of federal law and a disregard for environmental regulations. The specific statutes violated were 33 U.S.C. 1311(a) and 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(1)(A), pertaining to unauthorized discharges and knowing violations of the Clean Water Act.

While the financial penalties and probationary terms aim to address the immediate consequences of the violations, questions remain about the city’s long-term commitment to infrastructure maintenance and environmental stewardship. Local residents and environmental groups have expressed concerns about the potential for future incidents if proactive measures aren’t implemented. The EPA continues to monitor the city’s compliance with the terms of the plea agreement, and further violations could result in additional penalties.

Table of Contents

Key Facts

Defendant: City of Lake Ozark, Missouri and Richard L. Sturgeon
Crime: Illegal discharge of raw sewage into Lake of the Ozarks
State: Missouri
Year: 2009
Statutes Violated: 33 U.S.C. 1311(a), 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(1)(A)
Penalties: City of Lake Ozark – $50,000 fine, 5 years probation. Richard L. Sturgeon – $5,000 fine, 3 years probation.
Source of Investigation: EPA “Report an Environmental Violation” website

GrimyTimes will continue to follow this case and report on any further developments.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

Related Federal Cases