Is it happening right now and could it hurt people or the environment?
Call 911. Then report it to the National Response Center, which the U.S. Coast Guard staffs 24 hours a day. EPA’s own guidance is to call 911 first and then the National Response Center for anything that could be an immediate threat. Phone: 1-800-424-8802.
A spill or release of oil, chemicals, or other hazardous material
National Response Center. It takes reports of oil, chemical, radiological, and biological discharges into the environment, plus railroad incidents. Reports go in by phone, 24 hours a day. Phone: 1-800-424-8802.
Pollution or a possible environmental violation that is not an emergency
U.S. EPA, Report Environmental Violations form. It covers anything that looks like it breaks environmental law, including releases, dumping or burying waste, spills, spraying, filling wetlands, and falsified records. You do not have to give your name or contact details. Open the EPA form.
Your state’s environmental agency
Most day-to-day pollution complaints (smells, smoke, runoff, illegal dumping) are handled by the state. In Maryland that is the Maryland Department of the Environment, which takes citizen complaints and says it aims to protect the anonymity or confidentiality of people who report. Open MDE citizen complaints.
Other states: look up your state’s environmental agency, often called the Department of Environmental Protection or the Department of Environmental Quality.
Wildlife crime: protected species, migratory birds, poaching on federal land
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wildlife Crime Tips form. It covers killing of federally protected wildlife, illegal baiting or hunting of migratory birds, trafficking, and crimes on national wildlife refuges and fish hatcheries. Giving your name is voluntary, though the Service says it may not be able to act without a way to reach you, and it does not give status updates. For ordinary hunting and fishing violations, contact your state fish and game agency instead. Do not use this form for injured animals. Open the Wildlife Crime Tips form.
Oceans, fish, marine mammals, and sea turtles
NOAA Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement hotline, answered by a live operator 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It covers harming marine mammals or sea turtles, deliberately mislabeled seafood, and buying or selling fish without permits. Phone: 1-800-853-1964. More from NOAA.
Wildlife for sale online
The Coalition to End Wildlife Trafficking Online takes reports of illegal wildlife products listed on websites and social media. TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring charity, points people there. Report a listing.
EcoWitness is not a government agency and does not investigate reports. It points you to the agencies that do. Information checked November 2026.