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Mall Damages Wetland, May Be Fined

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By KEVIN WIATROWSKI, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 5, 2007

WESLEY CHAPEL - The developers of Cypress Creek Town Center may face fines or stricter penalties for violating the terms for the federal permit that lets them fill wetlands on their property next to Interstate 75.

Crews working on the mall site south of State Road 56 used earthmovers to clear about three-quarters of an acre of wetland outside the bounds allowed by the permit the Army Corps of Engineers issued this year.

During a visit on July 31, corps officials also found muddy water flowing from the mall site into Cypress Creek. More mud was found in the creek Aug. 3, according to the corps.

Landowner Sierra Properties of Tampa and developer Richard E. Jacobs Group of Cleveland are supposed to shield the creek, an Outstanding Florida Water, from pollution.

Work crews reported the wetland violation while corps inspectors were on-site looking into reports of muddy water flowing into the creek.
Corps officials gave the developers credit for reporting the wetlands violation and for drafting a plan to restore the damaged wetland.

Corps field investigator Tom Ferrell said Tuesday he still was deciding what punishment will be levied against the developers. Options range from a fine of up to $27,500 to suspending the permit until restoration work is finished.

Jacobs spokeswoman Deanne Roberts said Tuesday the wetland damage happened because of confusion between development limits set by the corps and the Southwest Florida Water Management District.

'We regret this mistake and are working aggressively to fix it,' Roberts said.

Reporter Kevin Wiatrowski can be reached at kwiatrowski@tampatrib.com or (813) 948-4201.

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