photo by John Cochran
From the DC Office of the Attorney General:
“Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb announced today that he is encouraging District residents to report possible environmental violations directly to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) so that the office can investigate whether to take legal action against polluters and others who endanger DC residents and our natural resources. Residents can share tips about violations of DC environmental laws—like
illegal dumping, idling commercial vehicles, or unsafe use of pesticides—with OAG by email at [email protected] or by phone at (202) 442-9828.
“Every District resident deserves clean air, clean water, and a healthy environment, and my office will use every legal tool at our disposal to protect DC’s natural resources,” said Attorney General Schwalb. “If you notice piles of trash, idling buses or trucks, or other types of illegal pollution, I encourage you to reach out to our office using our new environmental protection hotline.”
OAG’s Environmental Protection Track Record & Enforcement Authority
OAG has a proven track record of protecting District residents from environmental harms and is committed to holding polluters accountable and standing up for communities impacted by environmental contamination. OAG’s Housing and Environmental Justice Section investigates violations of local and federal environmental laws, and files lawsuits that seek to hold polluters responsible for the harm they caused, including by getting them to pay clean-up costs and make changes that benefit DC communities.
Over the past 10 years, OAG has secured over $120 million through both large and small environmental enforcement actions, including a $57 million recovery from Pepco for contaminating the Anacostia River for decades. OAG has also taken action against bus companies for routinely idling engines in violation of DC air pollution laws; sued pest control companies for improperly applying dangerous chemicals outside of apartment buildings; and filed suit against paving and auto repair companies for allowing water contaminated with used oil and other pollutants to flow from their properties into DC waterways.
Examples of the environmental laws OAG enforces include:
Illegal Dumping Enforcement Act: This law makes it illegal for people to dump trash or hazardous waste on public or private property in the District.
DC Air Pollution Control Act: This law bans commercial gas and diesel-powered vehicles from illegally idling their engines for more than three minutes. OAG has taken action against multiple vehicle operators, such as tour bus companies, to protect District residents from harmful vehicle exhaust.
Pesticide Operations Act: This law stops companies and individuals from illegally applying toxic pesticides which can harm human health and the environment.
Report Violations of Environmental Laws to OAG
DC residents can report environmental violations in the District directly to OAG:
Send a tip via email to [email protected]
Call (202) 442-9828″