Michael Blankenship, Violating 33 U.S.C. 1311(a) and 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)(A), West Virginia 2019

HANOVER, WV – A West Virginia businessman is spending over a year behind bars after being convicted of illegally dumping raw sewage into a local waterway. Michael Blankenship, owner of Hanover Contracting Company, a porta-john and sewage hauling business, was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison on January 16, 2019, following a federal jury conviction in April 2018. The case, investigated by a joint task force including the EPA, FBI, and West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP), exposed a pattern of deliberate pollution impacting Little Huff Creek, a tributary of the Guyandotte River.

The criminal activity first came to light on September 29, 2015, when WVDEP inspectors responded to a report of illegal dumping in Hanover, West Virginia. Upon arrival, agents witnessed a sewage truck owned by Blankenship actively discharging untreated sewage directly into Little Huff Creek via a hose. Evidence at the scene included visible sewage both in the creek and on the surrounding ground. State Police were immediately called to assist. Water samples collected from the truck and the creek confirmed the presence of high levels of fecal coliform, a clear indicator of raw sewage contamination.

Blankenship initially denied any wrongdoing, but later confessed to the illegal dumping during questioning by investigators. He admitted to discharging sewage into Little Huff Creek not just on the day he was observed, but on multiple occasions throughout 2015 and 2016. This admission was corroborated by compelling photographic evidence presented by neighbors, who had documented Blankenship’s trucks dumping waste into the creek over an extended period. The jury also heard expert testimony regarding the impact of such pollution on water quality and the surrounding ecosystem.

Legal Ramifications

Blankenship was found guilty of violating two felony provisions of the Clean Water Act: 33 U.S.C. 1311(a), which prohibits the discharge of pollutants into navigable waters without a permit, and 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)(A), which addresses false statements and concealment related to Clean Water Act violations. These violations carry significant penalties, including imprisonment, fines, and potential restoration costs to remediate the environmental damage caused by the illegal dumping. The 15-month prison sentence reflects the seriousness with which federal authorities are treating environmental crimes.

Community Impact & Ongoing Concerns

The case highlights the ongoing struggle to protect West Virginia’s waterways from illegal pollution. Little Huff Creek, like many streams in the region, is a vital resource for recreation, wildlife habitat, and downstream water supplies. The deliberate and repeated dumping of raw sewage poses a serious public health risk and can devastate aquatic ecosystems. While Blankenship is now incarcerated, the long-term effects of the pollution on Little Huff Creek remain to be fully assessed.

Key Facts

• Defendant: Michael Blankenship
• Business: Hanover Contracting Company
• Location: Hanover, West Virginia
• Crime: Illegal dumping of raw sewage into Little Huff Creek
• Statutes Violated: 33 U.S.C. 1311(a), 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)(A)
• Sentence: 15 months in federal prison
• Evidence: Witness testimony, photographic evidence, water quality analysis
• Agencies Involved: EPA, FBI, WVDEP, West Virginia State Police

GrimyTimes will continue to follow this case and report on any further developments, including potential efforts to restore Little Huff Creek and hold responsible parties accountable for environmental damage.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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