Steven R. Augare, Making False Statements, Montana 2011

East Glacier Water Operator Sentenced for Falsifying Water Quality Reports

MISSOULA, MT – Steven R. Augare, 51, of Browning, Montana, was sentenced to two years of probation and a $100 special assessment on June 30, 2011, following a guilty plea to charges of making false statements, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana. The case, investigated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Criminal Investigation Division (EPA-CID), stemmed from years of falsified reports regarding the water quality of the East Glacier Water and Sewer Department (EGWSD) public water system.

Augare, employed as the primary water system operator for EGWSD since 1993, was responsible for testing and reporting chlorine and turbidity levels to the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ). The EGWSD system, a surface water source, is particularly vulnerable to contamination and requires diligent monitoring and disinfection, typically through the use of chlorine. An Administrative Order and Boil Alert were previously issued due to concerns about the water’s safety.

The investigation began in May 2007 after the MDEQ, during routine inspections following a positive fecal contamination test in 2002, discovered persistent record-keeping deficiencies in Augare’s reports. EPA-CID’s review of “A.O. Compliance” forms submitted between April 2002 and July 2006 revealed inconsistencies and impossibilities. Specifically, two different forms were submitted for January 2006 with conflicting data, and the February 2006 form reported a constant chlorine residual of 1.3ppm across all sampling stations – a chemically improbable scenario, according to MDEQ specialists. During an interview on October 28, 2010, Augare admitted to falsifying the reports.

Legal Ramifications

Augare was originally charged with three counts of violating Title 18 U.S. Criminal Code Section 1001, which prohibits knowingly making false statements to a federal agency. He ultimately pled guilty to one count of this offense on March 9, 2011. The penalty for violating 18 U.S.C. 1001 can include fines and imprisonment, though Augare received a sentence of probation and a $100 assessment.

Protecting Public Health

U.S. Attorney Michael W. Cotter emphasized the seriousness of Augare’s actions, stating that they “put all of the visitors and citizens of East Glacier at risk of ingesting dangerous water, potentially including fecal matter.” Lori Hanson, Special Agent in Charge of EPA’s criminal enforcement program in Montana, added that accurate reporting is “essential for the government to assure compliance with our nation’s environmental regulations.” The investigation involved collaboration between federal, state, and tribal authorities, underscoring the commitment to protecting public health and Montana’s natural resources.

Key Facts

• Defendant: Steven R. Augare
• Location: East Glacier, Montana
• Crime: False Statements (18 U.S.C. 1001)
• Victim: Citizens and visitors of East Glacier, MT
• Sentence: 2 years probation, $100 special assessment
• Investigating Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – Criminal Investigation Division (EPA-CID)
• Timeline: Charges filed December 16, 2010; Guilty Plea March 9, 2011; Sentencing June 30, 2011

The EPA-CID continues to investigate and prosecute individuals who compromise the integrity of public water systems, ensuring accountability and safeguarding public health.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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