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BAY COUNTY – Law enforcement agents with the Florida Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP) recently arrested John Michael Morris, 51, for
improperly disposing more than 15,000 waste tires on his property. Morris is
charged with violating the Florida Litter Law, a third degree felony punishable
by up to five years in prison and/or a fine up to $5,000, as well as Failure to
Obtain a Waste Tire Permit, a first degree misdemeanor punishable by up to six
months in jail and/or a fine up to $10,000.
“Environmental crimes, such as illegal dumping, degrade our quality of life
and will not be tolerated," said DEP Division of Law Enforcement Director Henry
Barnet. “The public health hazard posed by unlawfully dumped waste tires is
significant, since they serve as ideal areas in which mosquitoes can breed and
threaten nearby neighborhoods and communities as potential carriers of harmful
diseases. With the assistance of the DEP Northwest Regulatory District office,
the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, the Bay County Code Enforcement office, the Bay
County Animal Control office, and the Florida Highway Patrol, DEP’s agents were
able to solve this environmental crime preventing further degradation to the
environment.”
The four month investigation began when DEP law enforcement received a
request for assistance from the DEP Northwest Regulatory District office, in
reference to an anonymous complaint they received in which the suspect was
observed dumping waste tires on his property, located at 6822 Davis Road in
Panama City. The investigation revealed that Morris dumped approximately 15,000
to 20,000 waste tires on his property, a portion of which are designated
wetlands. Morris was transported and booked at the Bay County Jail on March 11,
2010.
Environmental crimes are violations of state or federal environmental laws
that could impact public health and the environment, such as illegal dumping or
improper disposal of used oil. Signs that an environmental crime has taken place
could include corroded, leaking or abandoned waste containers; fish kills;
illegal debris dumping in a natural area; or foul smelling or unsightly
discharges or visible sheens on the ground or water body.
Illegal solid and hazardous waste disposal is a primary focus of DEP’s
Division of Law Enforcement as illegal dumping can adversely affect underlying
aquifers, which are the source for more than 90 percent of the state’s drinking
water supply.
DEP’s Division of Law Enforcement is responsible for statewide environmental
resource law enforcement, as well as providing law enforcement services to
Florida’s state parks and greenways and trails. Division personnel from the
three operational bureaus patrol state lands; investigate environmental resource
crimes; and respond to natural disasters, civil unrest, hazardous material
incidents and oil spills that threaten the environment.
To report an environmental crime, wireless customers can dial #DEP. Callers
can also report environmental crimes to the State Warning Point by calling (877)
2-SAVE-FL (1.877.272.8335). General environmental inquiries should be directed
to DEP district offices during normal business hours. For more information about
DEP’s Division of Law Enforcement, visit
www.dep.state.fl.us/law.
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2012 State of Florida