Decatur, Tennessee – Earl Wayne Price, former Chief Operator of the City of Decatur’s sewage treatment plant (STP), was sentenced in March 2007 following a guilty plea to falsifying data submitted to state environmental regulators. The case, investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and prosecuted by the Department of Justice, revealed a deliberate attempt to circumvent requirements of the Clean Water Act (CWA) and deceive the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC).
According to court documents, Price, responsible for ensuring the STP’s compliance with its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, routinely failed to conduct the necessary wastewater analyses. Instead of accurately reporting the plant’s discharge quality to TDEC, Price fabricated data and submitted falsified monitoring reports in February 2006. This practice masked potential violations and misrepresented the true environmental impact of the STP’s operations on the Tennessee River.
The scheme came to light during a routine review of submitted data by TDEC officials, who identified discrepancies and inconsistencies in the reports originating from the Decatur STP. The EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division then launched a formal investigation, uncovering evidence that Price knowingly and willfully submitted false information. The falsified reports were designed to show the plant was meeting its permit limits when, in reality, that was not the case. This put the public and the Tennessee River at risk.
Legal Ramifications
Price was initially charged on October 31, 2006, with one count of violating the Clean Water Act, specifically 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(4), which prohibits knowingly making false statements in reports required by the Act. He subsequently pled guilty and, on March 19, 2007, received a sentence of 12 months probation. In addition to probation, Price was ordered to complete 50 hours of community service and pay a $100 special assessment fee.
Impact and Ongoing Concerns
While the penalties in this case appear relatively lenient, environmental law experts note that such prosecutions serve as a crucial deterrent against future violations. Falsifying environmental data not only undermines the integrity of regulatory programs but also poses a direct threat to public health and the environment. The Decatur case highlights the importance of diligent oversight and robust enforcement of the Clean Water Act to ensure the protection of vital waterways.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Earl Wayne Price
- Location: Decatur, Tennessee
- Crime: Falsifying Clean Water Act monitoring reports
- Statute Violated: 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(4) – Making false statements
- Penalty: 12 months probation, 50 hours community service, $100 assessment
- Date of Plea: March 19, 2007
- Agency Involved: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
GrimyTimes will continue to follow environmental crime cases and provide updates as they develop. Readers are encouraged to report suspected violations to their local environmental agencies.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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