WASHINGTON, Dec. 10 (UPI) -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says it's started the first Web site devoted to apprehending environmental fugitives.

EPA officials said the Web site is designed to enlist the public and other law enforcement agencies in locating people accused of violating environmental laws and evading arrest.


"Putting this information on the EPA's Web site will increase the number of 'eyes' looking for environmental fugitives," said Granta Nakayama, assistant administrator of the EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. "Two EPA fugitives were captured this year, and this Web site could help us find more fugitives in the future."

The Web site includes photographs of accused people, summaries of their alleged environmental violations and information on each fugitive's last known whereabouts. Alleged violations include smuggling of ozone-depleting substances, illegally disposing of hazardous waste and making criminally false statements.

While the FBI, Secret Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms also maintain Web sites featuring fugitives from the law, the EPA said it is the first federal law enforcement agency to feature an environmental crimes fugitive web site.

The Web site is available at http://www.epa.gov/fugitives.