Skip to main content

Environmental Investigation Section

Conservation officer binoculars
Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy

Environmental Investigation Section

The Environmental Investigation Section (EIS) mission is to protect the public health and natural resources in a professional manner, utilizing proactive methods, teamwork and partnerships, delivering prompt, high quality and thorough investigations of suspected violations of environmental laws. The EIS strives to be a key component of Michigan's law enforcement mainstream, consistently solving complex violations of environmental laws, and providing a resource for local communities faced with environmental conflicts of a criminal nature.

The EIS serves as the investigative and law enforcement specialist for the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). This includes conducting, supervising, and coordinating criminal, civil, and administrative investigations into suspected violations of Michigan's environmental statutes and cooperating with other divisions, departments, and agencies.

The section is comprised of specially trained Conservation Officers who determine appropriate regulations, initiate legal actions, and represent the department in negotiations for restitution, penalties and damages. The EIS conducts training to help local law enforcement officers and other enforcement personnel to develop community partnerships to combat illegal dumping at the local level. There are two units within this section: South Eastern and North Western.

Contact

David Shaw
ShawD1@Michigan.gov
231-788-5514
DNR Law Enforcement Division
Lansing Headquarters

For district-specific contacts, please use the table below.

⚠ Environmental emergency?
Call 800-292-4706

EGLE Pollution Emergency Alerting System (PEAS): 800-292-4706

Please call the PEAS hotline to report:

  • Spills, emissions, releases, or improper handling of hazardous materials;
  • Dredging and filling wetlands, lakes, and streams
  • Risks posed to public drinking water supplies;
  • Environmental crimes;
  • Other environmental harm or threats.

To report issues with the hotline itself (call handling, call routing, etc.) please call the PEAS Administrator in Lansing, 517-256-7816.

Learn more about reporting an environmental emergency

District Contacts

To register complaints, please contact the appropriate person for the location of the complaint.

 

Location Name Phone

Section Supervisor

F/Lt. Vence Woods

989-705-3449

South Eastern Unit Supervisor

2nd Lt. Erick Thorson

586-753-3720

North Western Supervisor

2nd Lt. Trey Luce

906-228-2907

Cadillac District

Det. Holly Pennoni

231-876-4446

Gaylord District

Det. Chris Bowen

989-705-3452

Grand Rapids District

Det. Dan Lee

616-356-0029

Jackson District

Det. Joe Myers

517-780-7483

Kalamazoo District

Det. James Zellinger

269-567-3505

Lansing District

Det. Daniel Kennedy

517-284-6640

Bay City District

Det. Quincy Gowenlock

989-894-6239

Warren District

Det. Jacob Griffin

586-753-3704

Marquette District

Det. Joshua Boudreaux

906-228-4849

Additional Resources

Environmental Crimes Handbook for Law Enforcement Personnel

Environmental Crimes Handbook for Law Enforcement Personnel

Environmental crime is typically the intentional, knowing, reckless, or criminally negligent violation of our environmental laws and regulations.