Danny S. Still Jr., Negligent Violation of the Clean Water Act, North Carolina 2010

Belmont, NC – A former salvage company employee received an eight-month federal prison sentence in 2010 for his role in a significant oil spill that contaminated the Catawba River in Gaston County, North Carolina. Danny S. Still Jr. was sentenced on September 8, 2010, after pleading guilty to negligently violating the Clean Water Act (CWA) during the demolition of the Belmont Dyers plant in 2007.

The incident stemmed from the dismantling of the old Belmont Dyers textile mill. Investigators determined that negligent demolition practices led to the release of between 2,000 and 3,000 gallons of oil into the Catawba River. The spill prompted a rapid response from environmental agencies and the U.S. Coast Guard, who worked to contain and mitigate the damage. The Coast Guard’s Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund bore the brunt of the cleanup costs, ultimately leading to the restitution order against Still.

Federal prosecutors initially charged Still on February 27, 2009, with a violation of 33 U.S.C. 1311(a), pertaining to effluent limitations under the Clean Water Act. The superseding information ultimately led to a guilty plea, and the subsequent sentencing focused on the negligent nature of the demolition work. While the precise details of the negligence weren’t fully detailed in court documents, the prosecution successfully argued that Still’s actions directly resulted in the oil release and subsequent river contamination.

The case highlights the serious consequences of failing to adhere to environmental regulations, particularly during demolition projects involving potentially hazardous materials. The CWA is designed to protect the nation’s waterways, and the EPA actively pursues criminal enforcement against individuals and companies who demonstrate a disregard for these vital protections. The Belmont Dyers case serves as a stark reminder that environmental compliance isn’t merely a regulatory hurdle, but a critical responsibility.

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Key Facts

Defendant: Danny S. Still Jr.
Location: Belmont, Gaston County, North Carolina
Date of Incident: 2007 (Demolition), 2009 (Charges), 2010 (Sentencing)
Crime: Negligent violation of the Clean Water Act
Statute Violated: 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(1)(A)
Oil Spill Amount: 2,000 – 3,000 gallons
Penalties: 8 months incarceration, $2,500 federal fine, $247,500 restitution to the U.S. Coast Guard Oil Pollution Center.

GrimyTimes will continue to follow environmental crime cases and report on efforts to hold polluters accountable. The Catawba River, a vital resource for communities throughout North Carolina, remains under ongoing monitoring to assess any long-term impacts from the 2007 spill. The U.S. Coast Guard continues to administer the Oil Pollution Center, funded by taxes on oil, to respond to and remediate incidents like this one.

The case demonstrates that even unintentional violations of environmental law can result in significant penalties, including imprisonment, underscoring the importance of robust safety protocols and diligent oversight during industrial demolition projects. The EPA’s continued enforcement of the Clean Water Act is crucial in safeguarding the nation’s precious water resources.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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