Shreveport, LA – Omega Protein Inc., a Louisiana-based dietary supplement company, has been sentenced to pay $1.2 million and serve three years of probation for illegally discharging pollutants into the Vermilion River, according to a statement released by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana. The sentencing, handed down by U.S. District Judge Donald E. Walter on January 18, 2017, concludes a criminal investigation into the company’s environmental practices.
The investigation, spearheaded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Louisiana State Police, revealed that on two separate occasions – December 8, 2014, and February 1, 2016 – a manager at Omega’s Abbeville plant directed employees to bypass established wastewater treatment protocols. Instead, employees were instructed to directly discharge polluted water from a treatment pond into a canal leading to the Vermilion River. This deliberate action circumvented federal regulations designed to protect the waterway’s ecological health.
Federal prosecutors presented evidence demonstrating the company’s intentional disregard for environmental safeguards. John D. Held, a representative for Omega Protein, was present during the sentencing hearing, where the company formally pleaded guilty to the charges. The $1.2 million penalty is broken down into a $1 million fine payable to the United States and a $200,000 community service fee directed to the Louisiana State Police Emergency Service Unit. The three-year probationary period will subject the company to further scrutiny and potential oversight.
Legal Ramifications
Omega Protein Inc. was found to have violated 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)(A), a section of the Clean Water Act that prohibits the unlawful discharge of pollutants into navigable waters of the United States. The Clean Water Act is a cornerstone of U.S. environmental law, designed to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation’s waters. Violations can carry significant criminal and civil penalties, including substantial fines and imprisonment for responsible individuals.
Industry Concerns
This case highlights a growing concern regarding industrial compliance with environmental regulations in Louisiana and the potential for deliberate circumvention of safeguards. The Vermilion River is an important ecological resource and a vital part of the state’s economy, supporting both commercial and recreational activities. Environmental advocates are likely to view this sentencing as a positive step, but will continue to monitor Omega Protein’s adherence to the terms of its probation.
Future Outlook
Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert C. Abendroth prosecuted the case, emphasizing the government’s commitment to holding companies accountable for environmental crimes. The EPA and Louisiana State Police continue to collaborate on investigations targeting illegal pollution practices. The outcome of this case serves as a warning to other industrial facilities: intentional violations of the Clean Water Act will be met with swift and decisive legal action.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Omega Protein Inc.
- Crime: Illegal discharge of pollutants into the Vermilion River
- Location: Abbeville, Louisiana
- Date of Violations: December 8, 2014 & February 1, 2016
- Statute Violated: 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)(A) – Clean Water Act
- Penalty: $1 million fine + $200,000 community service fee + 3 years probation
- Investigating Agencies: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency & Louisiana State Police
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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