U.S. Department
of Justice
Press Release
New Orleans Steamboat Company Charged for Discharging Excess Ballast Material into Industrial Canal
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Louisiana
According to the bill of information, NOSC negligently discharged, without the knowledge of the Board of Directors, and caused to be discharged a quantity of a substance into a navigable water of the United States, upon adjoining shorelines, and affecting the United States’ natural resources. The discharge took place on or around February 12, 2019, in the Inner Harbor Navigational Canal (“IHNC”), more commonly known as the Industrial Canal.
An employee of NOSC, Matt Dow, was charged with a misdemeanor violation of the CWA, punishable by up to one year in jail and $100,000 fine.
If convicted, NOSC faces a possible term of probation and a fine of up to $50,000 or twice the gross gain to the defendant or twice the gross loss to any victim as well as a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. A bill of information is merely a charge, and the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case was investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency’s Criminal Investigation Division, and the Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carter K.D. Guice, Jr. of the General Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.
Contact
Shane M. Jones
Public Information Officer
United States Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Louisiana
United States Department of Justice
Updated July 20, 2023
Topic
Environmental Justice
Component
