An environmental violation can be broadly defined as an illegal act that harms the environment or endangers public health.  Just like other illegal acts, environmental offenses violate federal, state or local law.  New York State has many laws within the Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) designed to protect the communities, environment and health of its residents. 

As the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) explains, environmental violations can be categorized as "criminal," "civil" or "clean-up enforcement" offenses.  To learn more about these categories, visit the EPA's website.

Generally, activities that have or may eventually have a negative effect on human health, harm a community, or the environment, could be environmental offenses as defined by environmental law.

 What are some examples of environmental violations?

Here are some examples of violations under local, state and federal environmental laws:

• Littering
• Improper waste disposal
• Improper transportation of hazardous materials
• Oil spills
• Destruction of wetlands or any ecosystem/habitat
• Dumping into oceans, streams, lakes, or rivers
• Improperly handling pesticides or other toxic chemicals
• Burning garbage
• Improperly removing and disposing of asbestos
• Smuggling certain chemicals (esp. ozone depleting chemicals), such as CFC refrigerants, into the U.S
• Illegal wildlife trade of endangered species
• Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and hunting
• Illegal logging
• Illegal property development

Section 2: How do you Recognize an Environmental Violation?