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Quarterback Scrambles Past EPC Rules

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 13, 2008

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneer quarterback Vinny Testaverde has been cited for clear-cutting more than 40 trees on his lakefront property.

His reason for violating county rules protecting wetland vegetation that prevents erosion and provides wildlife habitat? He didn't know the rules.

That excuse would never be tolerated on the football field and hardly justifies the wholesale destruction of natural resources.

Before and after photographs of his $4.5 million home show a stunning transformation.

The stately trees that lined the shore are gone and the area between the lake and his house now looks like a golf course.

His lawyer says Testaverde hired a tree-removal service to do the work and depended on the crew to know the regulations. But it seems clear Testaverde's primary concern was an unobstructed view.

He obviously didn't give much thought to nature, the county regulations or his neighbors - who comply with the rules and maintain shoreline trees.

Complaints caused the county Environmental Protection Commission to investigate and cite Testaverde, who has had to plant 20 trees that officials say will eventually replicate what was lost.

The penalty was slight, since the trees are nowhere close to the height of the trees - some 40 feet high - that were lost. There will be no fine. Meanwhile, Testaverde gets to enjoy the view.

To be sure, the violation hardly merits a public flogging. Over time, the damage will be undone. But EPC should review its policies that don't seem to offer much of a deterrent.

And Testaverde, who demonstrated class and courage during his NFL career, might voluntarily do something to show that he has more regard for county rules and resources than this episode suggests.

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