FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 6, 2001
DEP
Division of Law Enforcement Appoints New Environmental Forensics
Coordinator
TALLAHASSEE
– Thomas S.
Tramel, III, Director of the Department of Environmental
Protection’s Division of Law Enforcement, announced the
selection of Environmental Specialist Timyn J. Rice as the state’s
new Environmental Forensics Coordinator. With this appointment the
DEP has expanded its efforts to support the investigation of
potential environmental crimes.
Rice
currently serves within the Division’s Bureau of Emergency
Response. The Bureau provides state response to oil and hazardous
materials incidents statewide and forensic support for
environmental criminal investigations.
"This
is not a new position, but an expanded focus of duties," said
Tramel. "We are going to diligently pursue those who threaten
the public and our environment for personal gain. The
Environmental Forensics Coordinator will enable us to strengthen
our support for environmental investigations. We want to have the
best environmental forensics unit in the nation and Timyn Rice has
the qualifications to help us reach that goal."
Rice
began his career with the DEP in 1993. He has actively supported
environmental investigations and served as a state on-scene
coordinator for response to oil and hazardous material incidents.
His outstanding work with federal prosecutors in the Tampa area
led to arrests and conviction in a number of significant cases
including the Bay Drum and Steel Cases in 1997 and 1998.
Specialist
Rice has received numerous state and federal awards. Two of the
most recent being the U.S. Department of Justice, Environment and
Natural Resources Division, Certificate of Commendation in May
2000, and the United States Coast Guard Certificate of Merit in
February 2000.
Rice will
continue working out of the Tampa area while supporting operations
statewide.
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