Quote:
Originally Posted by 63corvette
Brent, I know a little about the situation now and not so much in the 1980's.
When I retired I was responsible for all the environmental permits and issues for a rather large gas pipeline operation in 15 states from Arizona east to the mid-west and up to the Canadian border.
First off the States were delegated the responsibilities for enforcement by the EPA some years ago. The states are first in line with any violations. Most states have a DNR or something like it (Department of Natural Resources) which is the state version of the EPA. The Federal Government EPA sets the rules for the state enforcement as a minimum and the states can add on as they see fit to a certain point.
The states enforce and issue fines and enforcement mandates.
Like I stated earlier the only Felony would be if someone lost their life due to an issue of Environmental Quality. Civil penalties can be issued by the state and federal government but a Felony would have to be a crime of some type.
A Felony must be prosecuted through a Law Enforcement Action and must be proved in a Court Of Law.
Government can make your life miserable and levy fines on top of that but a Felony is a serious charge and a Law Enforcement Action.
If you would like to discuss it give me a call sometime. I am retired and with the cold and snow in the Texas panhandle right now I have lots of time as the shop is pretty cold right now.
Rick Cates
Canyon TX
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What do you know?
As for the fine, NHRA can fine you, but they can't force you to pay. But, if you don't pay (or go through the appeals process) you won't be able to race any NHRA events. Somebody else pointed out that Schumacher had a lot to lose by not coming to some type of agreement with NHRA regarding his fine. He could have just as easily said, "Up yours NHRA" and went IHRA racing. But, I don't think his sponsors would have appreciated that.
In the end, this is DEFINITELY a CYA policy by NHRA. I'd bet that at the Winternationals they were contacted by the EPA, which is why all of a sudden this issue came up, and is being enacted immediately. Had they been proactive about this, and actually did something years ago about the Pros dumping gallons of brake clean on the pavement, they probably wouldn't be in this predicament. But, they turned the blind eye because they were too busy counting their millions.
I can also guarantee you that your NHRA fine does NOT protect you from fines by the EPA. In the end, they have final say. But, in NHRA's defense, would anybody listen to their pleas if NHRA DIDN'T threaten to fine on their own? It's just like telling your kids Santa is watching. Your kids' response? "Yeah, sure he is...I don't see him, so I'll take my chances."
There are SO many issues like this that NHRA could handle better, IMHO. And every time they step on their dick, more and more people become skeptical (they ruined me years ago), and think that the NHRA is out to get them. Why NHRA couldn't have had a meeting with the SRAC and PRO to explain the situation first is beyond me (though the pros probably got more advance notice than we did).