Gary A. Keating, Sr., Clean Water Act Violation, LA 1991

LaPlace, Louisiana – In 1991, Gary A. Keating, Sr. received a prison sentence for illegally constructing structures in Lake Pontchartrain, a violation of federal environmental law. The case, investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and prosecuted by the Department of Justice, highlights the ongoing efforts to protect vital waterways from unauthorized modification.

According to court documents, Keating constructed a concrete jetty and retaining wall extending from his property along the shores of Lake Pontchartrain in St. John the Baptist Parish. Critically, this construction was undertaken *without* the necessary permits mandated by the Clean Water Act and the Rivers and Harbors Act. The unauthorized building altered the natural shoreline and potentially impacted the lake’s delicate ecosystem.

The indictment, filed on June 29, 1990, charged Keating with three counts of violating federal law. Specifically, he was accused of transgressing 33 U.S.C. 1311(a) and 1319(c)(2)(A); 33 U.S.C. 407 and 411; and 18 U.S.C. 2. These statutes collectively prohibit the unauthorized discharge of pollutants and the construction of structures in navigable waters of the United States without proper authorization. The EPA argued that Keating’s actions constituted a direct violation of these protections, impacting a crucial national resource.

The case proceeded to sentencing on October 10, 1990, where Keating entered a plea agreement with prosecutors. He was sentenced to three concurrent eight-month prison terms – meaning he served a single eight-month sentence for all three counts – followed by a 12-month probationary period upon his release. Notably, the plea agreement stipulated that no fine would be imposed, though Keating was ordered to pay a $125 special assessment.

While the financial penalty was minimal, the custodial sentence sends a clear message that intentional disregard for environmental regulations will not be tolerated. The Clean Water Act is designed to safeguard the nation’s waters from pollution and destructive alterations, and the EPA actively pursues enforcement actions against those who flout these rules. The Lake Pontchartrain case, though dating back to 1991, remains a relevant example of the agency’s commitment to protecting aquatic ecosystems.

Table of Contents

Key Facts

Defendant: Gary A. Keating, Sr.
Location: Lake Pontchartrain, St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana
Crime: Illegal construction of a jetty and retaining wall without permits.
Statutes Violated: 33 U.S.C. 1311(a), 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)(A), 33 U.S.C. 407, 33 U.S.C. 411, and 18 U.S.C. 2
Penalty: Three concurrent eight-month prison terms and 12 months probation. $125 special assessment.
Year: 1991

GrimyTimes will continue to follow environmental enforcement cases and report on efforts to hold polluters and those who damage natural resources accountable.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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