Office of Special Investigations Mission

The mission of the Office of Special Investigations (OSI) is to conduct investigations of activities that may criminally violate any of the environmental laws or regulations under the jurisdiction of Ohio EPA.

These activities may endanger human health and the environment. They include activities such as:

• illegal disposal or abandonment of waste (solid waste, hazardous waste and construction and demolition debris)
• burial of waste at unpermitted locations
• unpermitted discharges into waters of the state or to wastewater treatment plants
• unpermitted emissions of air pollutants
• open burning
• bypassing treatment systems
• filling of wetlands
• “rip and tear” asbestos projects

Other activities that may not directly endanger human health and the environment, but nevertheless are criminal include:

• falsification of documents such as manifests, waste receipt logs and monthly operating reports
• making false statements to regulatory personnel