Michael Crowell, Clean Water Act Violation, NC 2017

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Michael Alexander Crowell, owner of Crowell Farms, Inc., and the farm itself were sentenced on June 1, 2017, for illegally discharging animal waste into a tributary of the French Broad River, a vital waterway for over a million residents. The case, investigated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), highlights the ongoing struggle to protect North Carolina’s precious water resources from agricultural runoff.

According to court documents, Crowell Farms, a beef cattle operation managing over 150 cows and 200 acres, routinely generates significant amounts of liquid and solid animal waste. As the Operator Responsible-in-Charge (ORC) of the farm’s waste management system, Michael Crowell was tasked with ensuring proper disposal within designated solids waste lagoons. However, between November and December 2015, Crowell bypassed these lagoons, directing liquid waste directly into a tributary feeding the French Broad River. This act constituted a clear violation of federal environmental regulations.

Investigators discovered that Crowell had installed the bypasses himself, admitting to inspectors that he knew his actions were “the wrong thing.” The farm lacked the necessary permits for direct discharge into waterways and lacked the appropriate land application equipment for legal waste disposal. The French Broad River, a critical source of drinking water and a popular recreation area, is particularly sensitive to pollution, supporting aquatic life, fishing, and agriculture.

Federal authorities revealed that Crowell Farms’ actions represented a deliberate attempt to circumvent environmental regulations, prioritizing convenience over compliance. The EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division and SBI’s Diversion and Environmental Crimes Unit worked in conjunction with the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality to uncover the illegal activity and build a case against Crowell and his farm.

Penalties and Legal Ramifications

Michael Crowell pleaded guilty in November 2016 to one count of criminal violation of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)(A)). He received a sentence of six months of house arrest as part of a three-year probation period, and was ordered to pay $10,000 in fines. Crowell Farms was also sentenced to three years of probation and fined $40,000, with potential offset for any prior fines paid to the state of North Carolina. The farm is also required to adhere to a comprehensive environmental compliance program throughout its probationary period.

Key Facts

• Defendant: Michael Alexander Crowell and Crowell Farms, Inc.
• Location: Asheville, North Carolina
• Crime: Illegal discharge of animal waste into the French Broad River
• Statute Violated: Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)(A))
• Penalties: Michael Crowell – 6 months house arrest, $10,000 fine. Crowell Farms – $40,000 fine, 3 years probation, environmental compliance program.
• Investigation: Joint effort by EPA-CID, SBI-DECU, and NC Department of Environmental Quality.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven R. Kaufman prosecuted the case, underscoring the Department of Justice’s commitment to enforcing environmental laws and protecting the nation’s waterways. This case serves as a stark reminder that individuals and corporations who intentionally pollute our environment will be held accountable for their actions.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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