Ship Operator Pleads Guilty to River Dumping

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reported that a U.S. ship operator pled guilty in federal court to dumping wastes into the Mississippi River and has agreed to pay a fine of $200,000, serve three years probation, and develop an environmental compliance program. In a separate case, the owner and operator of a foreign vessel, as well as the chief engineer, pled guilty in federal court to violating the Clean Water Act and making false statements. The companies will pay a collective fine of $750,000, develop a comprehensive environmental management plan, and serve four years probation. The chief engineer faces up to five years in prison and a fine of $250,000.