Portland, OR – Larry D. Anson, formerly of Portland, Oregon, was sentenced to over a year in federal prison earlier this month for a calculated disregard of environmental regulations, resulting in the unlawful storage of hazardous waste and the negligent pollution of the city’s sewer system. The case, stemming from Anson’s operation of Columbia American Plating Company, highlights the serious consequences facing those who prioritize profit over public health and environmental safety.
According to court documents, Anson knowingly stored spent cyanide plating bath solutions – a highly toxic byproduct of electroplating operations – without the required permits between March 1, 2001, and May 9, 2003. This blatant violation of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), specifically 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A), demonstrates a deliberate attempt to circumvent established environmental protocols. The improper storage of such hazardous materials poses significant risks to both human health and the surrounding ecosystem.
The indictment didn’t stop at illegal storage. Anson also pled guilty to a misdemeanor violation of the Clean Water Act (CWA), admitting to negligently operating Columbia American Plating Company in a manner that violated federally enforceable industrial wastewater discharge standards. Between August 7, 2001, and May 9, 2003, pollutants and hazardous substances were introduced into the Portland sewer system due to his negligence, violating 33 U.S.C. 1317(d). This resulted in potentially dangerous contaminants entering waterways and impacting the city’s wastewater treatment facilities.
Investigation and Prosecution
Federal authorities initiated charges against Anson on August 11, 2006, following an investigation into the operations of Columbia American Plating Company. The investigation revealed a pattern of non-compliance and a lack of adequate environmental controls. It took over two years to reach a guilty plea, signaling the complexity of gathering evidence and establishing intent in such cases. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) played a key role in the investigation, providing technical expertise and assisting in the collection of evidence.
Sentencing and Future Implications
On January 15, 2009, Anson appeared before the federal district court for the District of Oregon and was sentenced to 12 months and one day of imprisonment. In addition to his jail time, he was ordered to pay a $3,000 federal fine and will serve a two-year term of supervised release upon completion of his sentence. The relatively short sentence has drawn criticism from some environmental advocacy groups, who argue that it doesn’t adequately reflect the severity of the environmental damage and the potential public health risks created by Anson’s actions.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Larry D. Anson
- Location: Portland, Oregon
- Years of Violation: 2001-2003
- Statutes Violated: Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A)) & Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1317(d))
- Sentence: 12 months and one day imprisonment, $3,000 fine, 2 years supervised release
- Crime: Illegal storage of hazardous waste (cyanide plating solutions) and negligent discharge of pollutants into the sewer system.
This case serves as a stark reminder that environmental crimes carry significant legal consequences. Federal and state authorities are increasingly focused on prosecuting individuals and companies who knowingly or negligently violate environmental regulations, ensuring accountability and protecting the environment for future generations. The GrimyTimes will continue to follow environmental crime cases as they develop.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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