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County warns environmental-crimes bill could criminalize routine wastewater permit exceedances
Summary
County public-works staff and commissioners expressed concern about a bill that would add felony or gross-misdemeanor penalties and individual liability for violations of discharge limits under MPDES permits, saying routine permit exceedances could expose municipal operators to criminal penalties and worsen staffing shortages.
Kyle, a public-works staff member, briefed the Spokane County Board of Commissioners on a proposed state environmental-crimes bill that would increase penalties for discharge violations and could expose individuals operating wastewater facilities to criminal liability.
Kyle said the bill would add civil penalties and raise some violations to class C felonies or gross misdemeanors and would “bring liability down to the individual,” a change he described as “particularly concerning when you…
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