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It's Crucial For Citizens To Monitor Development, Even After Approval

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 7, 2007

Environmental violations discovered by government regulators and inspectors in Pasco County the last few weeks underscore the importance of aggressively monitoring developments after elected officials approve them, especially in a county where building is the No. 1 industry.

Most recently, Pasco County officials fined the developers of The Grove at Wesley Chapel $72,200 for violating the county's tree ordinance. Workers digging retention ponds and performing roadwork removed or damaged several oak trees without a permit, officials say.

The violation was discovered by a county inspector who visited the construction site. It was a good catch, and the developers deserved a stiff penalty, regardless of whether the violations were accidental.

During the summer, state and federal regulators confirmed that workers clearing land for Cypress Creek Town Center along State Road 56 illegally destroyed a 3/4 -acre wetland that was supposed to be preserved and allowed unauthorized discharges of sediments and turbid water into Cypress Creek. The creek is an Outstanding Florida Water and a main tributary of the Hillsborough River, the source of most of Tampa's drinking water.

The discoveries were prompted, in part, by environmental activists who are closely monitoring the project and reported concerns to regulators. But to the credit of the Southwest Florida Water Management District, regulators took the appropriate steps to eyeball the project's progress shortly after workers broke ground because of its environmental sensitivity and the public's interest in it.

After heavy rain in early June, the district immediately assigned two technicians to track the development, says district spokeswoman Robyn Hanke. Since then, the two have been on-site two to three times a week every week, checking to make sure regulations and permits are complied with, she says. Such scrutiny is sorely needed considering the importance of Cypress Creek.

Overall, each district office has teams of field technicians responsible for monitoring permits. The Brooksville office, for instance, has nine such workers, three of whom are assigned full-time to Pasco. The technicians are on the road all day inspecting sites, Hanke says.

It's unfortunate that public interest often wanes after an elected board approves plans for a development, especially when opponents feel they've lost. But that shouldn't be the case because environmental regulators and county inspectors can't be everywhere.

It's vital that the public pay attention, too, and report suspicious activity so it can be investigated, help that's encouraged by both Pasco County government and the water management district.

After all, a lot of time and detail go into reviewing and approving plans for major developments such as Cypress Creek Town Center. Just as much energy should be spent making sure that state laws, county ordinances and development permits are strictly followed, especially when the environment is at stake.

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