FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 21, 2004
CONTACT: Russell Schweiss, (850) 245-2112
Florida DEP Releases 5-Year Enforcement Record
-Agency remains focused on strong enforcement, compliance
and environmental solutions—
TALLAHASSEE -- The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
today released statistics on the
agency’s civil and criminal enforcement of
environmental laws. Regulatory enforcement jumped 35 percent over the last five
years compared to the previous five-year period and assessed penalties increased
by $11.1 million during the same timeframe.
“Compliance is the first step to providing long-term protection for Florida’s
natural resources,” said DEP Secretary Colleen M. Castille. “Firm and consistent
enforcement of state and federal environmental laws ensures more protection for
public health, a stronger economy and a better, cleaner environment for
residents and businesses.”
Highlights of DEP’s 5-Year Statistics
Between Fiscal Years 1999/2000 and 2003/2004, DEP issued 4,975 consent orders
-- 1,301 more than during the previous five years. Judicial settlements also
increased by 21 percent over the last five years. During the same period,
assessed penalties statewide increased by 53 percent compared to the previous
five years, from $20.9 million to $32 million.
This year alone, DEP issued more than 1,100 consent orders and assessed $9
million in enforcement penalties, an all-time high for the last decade.
CONSENT ORDERS
Statewide Consent Orders by District*
FINAL JUDGMENTS
Environmental
Litigation Reform Act (ELRA)
In 2001, Florida enacted the Environmental Litigation Reform Act (ELRA) to
improve the process for resolving less severe environmental violations. ELRA
expanded DEP’s enforcement authority and provided a clear and predictable
administrative penalty schedule allowing the agency to assess penalties of
$10,000 or less. The new authority prevents less serious environmental problems
from turning into lengthy and expensive court battles and enables DEP to focus
its legal resources on more complex and substantial enforcement issues.
Statewide Final Judgments by District*
ENFORCEMENT PENALTIES
Assessed Enforcement Penalties by District*
CRIMINAL ENFORCEMENT
From 1999-2003, DEP’s Division of Law Enforcement investigated 3,365 criminal
environmental cases -- an increase of nearly 414 percent over the previous five
years. In 2000, DEP launched the Environmental Crimes Strike Force to combat
major crimes against the environment and public health. Its first operation,
Operation Green Lightning, resulted in 156 arrests – the largest environmental
law enforcement sweep in U.S. history.
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*Data for FY 99/00 – 03/04 as of December 6, 2004.
** Law enforcement numbers are based on the calendar year.
View the pdf version of this report
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