The Florida Senate

372.85  Contaminating fresh waters.--

(1)  It shall be unlawful for any person or persons, firm or corporation to cause any dyestuff, coal tar, oil, sawdust, poison, or deleterious substances to be thrown, run, or drained into any of the fresh running waters of this state in quantities sufficient to injure, stupefy, or kill fish which may inhabit the same at or below the point where any such substances are discharged, or caused to flow or be thrown into such waters; provided, that it shall not be a violation of this section for any person, firm, or corporation engaged in any mining industry to cause any water handled or used in any branch of such industry to be discharged on the surface of land where such industry or branch thereof is being carried on under such precautionary measures as shall be approved by the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

(2)  Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083 for the first offense, and for the second or subsequent offense shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

History.--ss. 1, 2, ch. 22009, 1943; s. 317, ch. 71-136; s. 164, ch. 99-245.