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An Assault On The Green Swamp

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 19, 2008

It's outrageous for people to treat Florida's sensitive landscape as an illegal dumping ground when authorized landfills and collection sites are available.

It's even more deplorable when the scene of such an assault is the Green Swamp, the liquid heart of Central Florida.

Yet last week, law enforcement agents arrested three Polk County men - including two who worked for an "environmental" contracting company - on charges of polluting the swamp with 43 loads of demolition debris (that included asbestos) from Florida Southern College in July.

Investigators say the men wanted to avoid paying $10,540 in fees at a landfill - an appalling reason to blatantly disregard laws and sacrifice the environment. Vigorous prosecution is in order, as well as severe penalties if the suspects are convicted.

The Green Swamp spans 560,000 unspoiled acres over parts of Lake, Sumter, Polk, Hernando and Pasco counties. It is home to four major rivers, including the Hillsborough, that provide drinking water to millions of residents.

While water supplies apparently weren't damaged and the company's owners reportedly removed the debris, it's frightening that the Green Swamp was so easily made the victim of an ecological crime.

The swamp needs strong protection. Investigators should be commended for making a case.

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