“Wetlands dispute arouses protests

A coalition of residents and community groups is asking Gov. Charlie Crist to investigate a preliminary decision by Hillsborough County’s Environmental Protection Commission to eliminate its wetlands division.

The group – nearly 100 residents and civic groups – accuses the EPC governing board, made up of Hillsborough County commissioners, of “misfeasance … malfeasance … and neglect of duty.”

The group accuses the four EPC members who voted to eliminate local wetlands regulators of not following proper procedures to reach the decision, not acting in the best interests of either the agency or residents and of being improperly influenced by development interests. “They need to remember who they work for, ” said Terry Flott, who chairs United Citizens’ Action Network. “We’re going to be reminding them.”

Earlier in the day, Brian Blair, the EPC chairman and the target of some of the signs, agreed to postpone a final decision until at least August on the elimination of local review of development requests that affect wetlands. That will let the EPC’s executive director finish an alternative plan that both trims spending and maintains some local oversight of wetlands.”

I return to Hyperbole, inuendo, ranting and changing the subject; I anticipated a more substantive and informed dialouge from a seemingly passionate bunch.

The annecdotes, if true should be reoprted. Ironically if they are true, and not just more “I can use my property but he shouldn’t use his sentiment”, then they are an indictment of EPC as well as SWFWMD.

Guess if I’m your “pinata” then you are wearing the blindfold.

As for Blair’s backyard………….one more reason why Jadell should run! I pledged my contribution!

It is obvious to me that SWFWMD is on the take. In our own neighborhood they allowed a natural wetland near the county government complex to be developed (prime real estate). I agree with Jadell Kerr’s assessment of the situation. For too many years we have sat back and allowed SWFWMD to be the last word in many of the water and wetland struggles.

It is obvious to me that SWFWMD is on the take. In our own neighborhood they allowed a natural wetland near the county government complex to be developed (prime real estate).

The developer, D. R. Horton, a large and powerful nation wide building contractor, was allowed to bulldoze and artificially elevate a 12 acre site in the mist of the wetland. On this “new and improved” site they intended to construct 120 units. After having destroyed the wetland, construction is moving ahead slowly, the projected value of the individual units has fallen from an expected quarter million for a one bedroom townhouse due to the downturn in housing values, but the damage is already done.

We can thank SWFWMD for seeing dollar signs instead of the thousands of animals displaced and the aquifer forever effected. We need a local voice that is not afraid to stand up to big business and corrupt organizations.

Another thought…Where have all the investigative reporters gone that should be blowing the whistle on these groups? I hope someone stands up,takes notice and makes some noise before it’s too late for wetlands in your backyard!

The developer, D. R. Horton, a large and powerful nation wide building contractor, was allowed to bulldoze and artifically elevate a 12 acre site in the mist of the wetland. On this “new and improved” site they intended to construct 120 units. After having destroyed the wetland, construction is moving ahead slowly, the projected value of the individual units has fallen from an expected quarter million for a one bedroom townshouse due to the downturn in housing values, but the damage is already done.

We can thank SWFWMD for seeing dollar signs instead of the thousands of animals displaced and the aquifer forever effected. We need a local voice that is not afraid to stand up to big business and corrupt organizations.

Another thought…Where have all the investagative reporters gone that should be blowing the wistle on these groups? I hope someone stands up and takes notice and makes some noise before its too late!