Lewiston, ID – Howell Machine, Inc., a Lewiston-based metal recycling company, was sentenced in December 2011 following a federal investigation into illegal hazardous waste disposal. The company admitted to negligently discharging wastewater contaminated with dangerous levels of lead into the city’s sewer system, a violation of the Clean Water Act.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Criminal Investigation Division (CID) initiated the probe in late 2009 after receiving information regarding suspicious discharges from Howell Machine’s facility. The company specialized in rinsing, tumbling, and recycling spent brass cartridges from bullets for resale – a process that generated significant wastewater containing hazardous materials. Instead of properly treating or disposing of this waste, Howell Machine allegedly directed it into the municipal sewer system without the necessary permits.
An inspection of the facility confirmed the EPA’s suspicions. Investigators found evidence that the rinse wastewater contained levels of lead exceeding permissible limits, posing a potential risk to the local wastewater treatment plant and potentially the surrounding environment. The discharge bypassed required pre-treatment protocols designed to remove hazardous substances before entering the sewer system, placing undue strain on municipal resources.
Legal Ramifications
On December 2, 2011, Howell Machine, Inc. was formally charged with one count of violating the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. § 1311). The company entered a guilty plea, acknowledging their negligent disposal of suspected hazardous waste. U.S. Magistrate Judge Candy W. Dale subsequently sentenced Howell Machine to a two-year probationary period and ordered the company to pay a $10,000 federal fine. The penalty reflects the seriousness of the offense and aims to deter similar violations in the future.
EPA Response
“Dumping toxic waste into local sewer lines puts the entire treatment system at risk for damage and contamination,” stated Tyler Amon, Special Agent in Charge with EPA’s CID in Seattle. “I commend the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Idaho for prosecuting environmental crimes that add stress on municipalities already struggling to maintain and upgrade infrastructure in our communities.” The EPA continues to prioritize enforcement of environmental regulations to protect public health and the environment.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Howell Machine, Inc.
- Location: Lewiston, Idaho
- Crime: Negligent violation of the Clean Water Act
- Statute Violated: 33 U.S.C. § 1311
- Waste Type: Lead-contaminated wastewater from brass cartridge recycling
- Penalty: 24 months probation and $10,000 fine
- Investigating Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – Criminal Investigation Division
This case highlights the importance of proper waste management practices for industrial facilities. Failure to comply with environmental regulations not only poses a threat to public health and the environment but can also result in significant financial and legal consequences.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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