State probes Flathead septic dumping case

A Columbia Falls man is expected to face charges for pumping raw sewage into the Flathead River last month.

A septic pumping truck operated by Dale Jacobsen was spotted at the Kokanee Bend fishing access site near Columbia Falls. Jacobsen "is alleged to have dumped raw sewage from his septic truck into the Flathead River," according to a press release issued Friday by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

The release says a concerned citizen reported the incident to Dave Landstrom, a state parks manager. The matter was referred to Warden Sergeant Frank Bowen, who has investigated the case for the last month.

"FWP takes this very seriously and I can't think of a much more egregious act," said Warden Captain Lee Anderson.

Jacobsen is in the process of purchasing J and M Septic and was not licensed by the state at the time of the alleged incident, the release states.