What are the penalties for violating environmental laws?

In Washington, violating environmental laws can result in varying levels of civil and criminal penalties. Depending on the violation, defendants may be subject to fines, injunctions, and even imprisonment. At the civil level, violations of environmental laws may result in fines and suspension or revocation of the relevant permit. For example, the Department of Ecology can assess a civil penalty of up to $10,000 per day for each environmental violation. Additionally, the Department of Ecology may seek an injunction to prevent the defendant from continuing the violation. At the criminal level, the Department of Ecology may refer cases to the state attorney general, county prosecutor, or other criminal authority. Under state criminal law, violators of environmental laws may be subject to imprisonment of up to five years and fines of up to $50,000 or twice the gross financial gain, whichever is greater. In addition, companies and organizations may face criminal fines of up to $50,000 per day of violation. The penalties for violating environmental laws in Washington may seem severe, but they are necessary to ensure that people and companies adhere to regulations that protect the environment. In this way, the state is able to uphold its commitment to preserving, protecting, and restoring the environment for future generations.

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