William Schwerin, Hazardous Waste Crime, WA 2001

Walla Walla, WA – William Schwerin, owner of Schwerin Concaves, a Walla Walla-based agricultural component manufacturer, was sentenced to probation and community service after pleading guilty to federal charges of illegally managing hazardous waste. The case, brought by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), sheds light on improper waste disposal practices within an often-overlooked sector of the agricultural industry.

Schwerin Concaves specialized in the chromium plating of combine concaves – critical parts used in wheat harvesting to separate grain from chaff. These concaves require a durable, wear-resistant surface, leading the company to employ an electroplating process utilizing chromium. However, this process generates hazardous waste, and according to the EPA, Schwerin and his company failed to manage that waste according to federal regulations.

The investigation, which led to charges in July 2000, revealed that Schwerin Concaves was in violation of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Specifically, the company was accused of both the illegal storage and illegal transportation of hazardous waste generated by the chromium plating operation. The EPA alleges that proper containment and disposal protocols were not followed, potentially endangering the environment and public health.

On February 9, 2001, Schwerin entered a guilty plea to two counts: 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A), pertaining to the illegal storage of hazardous waste, and 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(5), covering the illegal transportation of hazardous waste. While no monetary fine was levied, the sentence included 24 months of probation, with the first six months to be served under home confinement with electronic monitoring. Schwerin was also ordered to complete 200 hours of community service.

The relatively lenient sentence has raised some eyebrows among environmental enforcement observers, particularly given the potential severity of RCRA violations. However, factors influencing sentencing can include the defendant’s cooperation with investigators, any demonstrable efforts to rectify the situation, and the overall scale of the environmental impact. The EPA typically pursues both criminal and civil penalties in these cases, and it is unclear if further civil action was taken against Schwerin Concaves.

This case serves as a reminder that even seemingly localized industrial operations, like those supporting the agricultural sector, are subject to stringent environmental regulations. Improper handling of hazardous waste can carry significant legal consequences, and the EPA continues to prioritize enforcement to ensure compliance and protect communities from environmental harm.

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Key Facts

Defendant: William Schwerin & Schwerin Concaves
Location: Walla Walla, Washington
Crime: Illegal storage and transportation of hazardous waste
Statutes Violated: 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A) & 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(5) – Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
Sentence: 24 months probation (6 months home confinement with electronic monitoring), 200 hours community service, no fine.
Waste Source: Chromium plating process used on combine concaves.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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