The Environmental Crimes Unit (ECU) is a division of the Office of Special Prosecutions and Appeals. The ECU has statewide responsibility and jurisdiction for the investigation and prosecution of environmental crimes. Typically this includes cases that involve violations of state laws regulating hazardous waste disposal, oil spills, air and water pollution, mining, forestry and water use, and seafood processing and other health related issues. Convictions for environmental crimes can result in jail sentences and large fines. The ECU, when appropriate, also investigates and prosecutes federal environmental crimes in cooperation with the U.S. Attorney's Office in Anchorage. In such cases, larger federal penalties are often available and the Environmental Protection Agency can suspend or debar corporations implicated in environmental crimes from further operations that damage the environment.
The ECU is funded by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) through a reimbursable services agreement. The unit consists of an Assistant Attorney General cross-designated as an Assistant U.S. Attorney and three DEC investigators commissioned as State peace officers. The unit also receives investigation support from other law enforcement agencies.
Environmental crimes prosecution is a specialized field that, like white collar crime, frequently involves large amounts of business related evidence and computer documents. Local prosecutors generally do not have the time to adequately review and understand such evidence. In addition, the large caseload and complexity of state, federal and local environmental regulations mandate that the state devote a specialized prosecutor to this field.
You can reach the ECU at 907.269.6250 or by email at Daniel.Cheyette@alaska.gov.
