Tacoma, WA – Fields Product, Incorporated, a roofing product manufacturer based in Tacoma, Washington, was convicted of federal environmental crimes after failing to report a significant hazardous substance release. The case, stemming from an incident in 1990, culminated in a guilty plea and sentencing in September 1993, highlighting the EPA’s ongoing commitment to enforcing environmental regulations and holding polluters accountable.
According to court documents, approximately 3,300 gallons of xylene, a volatile organic compound and hazardous air pollutant, were released from the Fields Product plant in May 1990. Crucially, the company failed to notify the appropriate federal authorities – specifically, the Environmental Protection Agency – as required by law. This initial failure to report triggered the criminal investigation and subsequent charges.
The government filed an Information on June 23, 1990, charging Fields Product with one count of violating the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), codified at 42 U.S.C. 9603(b). This section of CERCLA mandates immediate notification to the National Response Center when a release of a reportable quantity of a hazardous substance occurs. The delay in reporting hampered potential containment and cleanup efforts, increasing the potential for environmental damage and public health risks.
After over three years of legal proceedings, Fields Product, Inc. entered a guilty plea on June 23, 1993. Prosecutors argued that the company’s negligence demonstrated a disregard for environmental safety and public welfare. The company’s defense reportedly focused on mitigating circumstances regarding the reporting delay, but ultimately, the court found sufficient evidence to support the conviction.
Sentencing and Penalties
On September 24, 1993, the court sentenced Fields Product, Incorporated to a 60-month period of probation. In addition to probation, the company was ordered to pay a substantial fine of $200,000. The financial penalty serves as both a punishment for the offense and a deterrent to other companies considering similar violations. The probation terms likely included requirements for environmental compliance monitoring and reporting to ensure future adherence to federal regulations.
This case serves as a stark reminder that environmental regulations are not merely suggestions, but legally binding requirements. The EPA continues to aggressively pursue companies that prioritize profit over environmental responsibility, demonstrating that failing to report hazardous substance releases will result in significant legal and financial consequences.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Fields Product, Incorporated
- Location: Tacoma, Washington
- Incident Date: May 1990 (release), June 1993 (plea)
- Substance Released: Approximately 3,300 gallons of xylene
- Statute Violated: 42 U.S.C. 9603(b) – Failure to Notify (CERCLA)
- Penalty: 60 months probation & $200,000 fine
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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