Slime and Punishment: Environmental crimes investigation

The U.S. Coast Guard is instrumental in preventing environmental pollution of the nation's waterways and ports. It depends on its port state control program to determine environmental weaknesses and coordinate sanctions against individuals and groups who pollute maritime entities. It also partners with the U.S. Department of Justice to ascertain whether or not an action is criminal. Environmental crimes occur on a regular basis, usually involving dumping of hazardous wastes or other contaminants into the water. It must be demonstrated that these acts are intentional, though, in order to bring criminal charges against the perpetrators. The Clean Water Act, as amended by the Oil Pollution Act, prohibits the discharge of hazardous materials or oil in large enough quantities that may be detrimental, into or upon U.S. navigable waters, adjacent shorelines, or into or upon the body of waters of the adjoining area or which may impact natural resources in the U.S. exclusive economic zone. The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) is the primary international convention dealing with pollution prevention of the marine environment by ships from accidental or operational causes. MARPOL regulations pertain to individuals and corporations. Any entity who does not follow these regulations can be prosecuted and fined by the federal government.

• Record URL:
  http://www.uscg.mil/proceedings/archive/2012/Vol69_No3_Fall2012.pdf
• 
• Authors:
  • Rivera, Eric
• Publication Date: 2012

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: pp 12-14
• Serial:
  • Coast Guard Journal of Safety & Security at Sea, Proceedings of the Marine Safety & Security Council
  • Volume: 69
  • Issue Number: 3
  • Publisher: U.S. Coast Guard
  • Serial URL: http://www.uscg.mil/proceedings/

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Crimes; Environmental impacts; Environmental justice; Environmental protection; Hazardous materials; Law enforcement; Ships; Water pollution
• Identifier Terms: Clean Water Act; International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships; United States Coast Guard
• Subject Areas: Environment; Law; Marine Transportation; I15: Environment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01488346
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 23 2013 11:54AM