Oregon Department of Justice

William Holdner was convicted of illegally discharging cattle waste into tributaries of the Columbia River

Attorney General John Kroger today announced that a Columbia County man had been found guilty of 27 counts of water pollution.

"Protecting Oregon's water, air and land from polluters is one of my top priorities," said Attorney General Kroger.

William Holdner (DOB: 3/18/26) was convicted in Columbia County Circuit Court late Friday of two felony counts of Water Pollution in the First Degree and 25 misdemeanor counts of Water Pollution in the Second Degree.

The evidence showed that Holdner illegally discharged cattle waste in Mud Creek and South Scappoose Creek as well as ran a cattle operation without proper permits.

Sentencing is scheduled for March 6.

Senior Assistant Attorney General Patrick Flanagan of the Department of Justice's Environmental Crimes Unit prosecuted the case with assistance from Senior Assistant Attorney General Stephanie Parent, Special Agent Lori Drew, the Oregon Department of Agriculture, the Oregon State Police, the Department of Environmental Quality and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Environmental protection is one of Attorney General Kroger's top priorities. The 2009 Oregon Legislature authorized the Department of Justice to use existing funds to create an Environmental Crimes Unit. The unit came together in late 2009 and has opened more than 50 investigations across the state.

Attorney General John Kroger leads the Oregon Department of Justice. The Department's mission is to fight crime and fraud, protect the environment, improve child welfare, promote a positive business climate, and defend the rights of all Oregonians.