Environmental Protection – Just a Phone Call Away

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Law Enforcement recently implemented a new service for cell phone customers to use when encountering a crime or incident harmful to the environment. By dialing #DEP on their wireless phones, Floridians can report illegal dredge and fill activities, destruction of mangroves, toxic spills, dumping of hazardous or biological waste, demolition debris or oil drums, and other potentially harmful occurrences.

Abandoned piles of household garbage, discarded appliances and used tires can threaten the health of humans, wildlife and the environment and pollute waterways. Even improper disposal of electronics can leak heavy metals, such as lead and cadmium into Florida’s groundwater which supplies 90 percent of the state’s drinking water.

The removal of mangroves is against the law not only because they serve as storm buffers protecting shorelines, but also provide food and serve as nursery grounds for a variety of commercial and recreational marine species.

#DEP can also be used to report toxic spills. Although usually accidental, immediate reporting by passerbys can enable emergency responders to act quickly to contain and minimize contamination to nearby land or waterways.

With the number wireless phone users steadily increasing, it’s easy for Florida’s citizens to become the eyes and ears for the well-being of the state’s valuable natural resources.

The Division also launched its new Web site this week highlighting its Training Center and the bureaus of Emergency Response, Environmental Investigations and Park Police. Web users can now find emergency contact information, tips on recognizing and reporting environmental crimes and read career profiles to learn more about the challenges that DEP law enforcement employees experience on a day-to-day basis.

In addition to the #DEP service for mobile phone users, callers can also report environmental crimes to the Environmental Crimes Hotline at the State Warning Point by calling 1 (877) 272-8335 or 1 (877) 2-SAVE-FL. For more information on DEP’s new Division of Law Enforcement, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/law.