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Hillsborough Sues Dock Builder To Collect Fines

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By MIKE SALINERO | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 23, 2009

TAMPA - Hillsborough County environmental authorities have filed a lawsuit to collect fines assessed against a Rocky Creek homeowner for building a dock and seawall without proper permits.

Pedro Olivera agreed in an Oct. 1 consent order to pay the county a $16,850 fine and plant grasses along a canal he widened. The county was supposed to receive its first installment of $1,850 on Nov. 1, then monthly payments over two years.

"We haven't heard from him at all," said Andrew Zodrow, an attorney with the county Environmental Protection Commission. "We made numerous phone calls and sent letters and he hasn't paid anything, he hasn't planted anything."

Olivera could not be reached for comment.

The consent order, nearly a year in the making, charged Olivera with illegally removing mangroves, building a seawall and dock without permission, and dumping fill dirt in wetlands.

Under the order, Olivera was allowed to keep the dock and seawall. He also maintained boat access to Rocky Creek and Tampa Bay via the canal behind his house at 4908 Troydale Road. EPC officials said the canal, which is navigable to shallow-draft boats, was there before Olivera bought the property in 2004.

Zodrow said Olivera was probably served with the complaint this week, or will be served early next week. After that, he has 20 days to respond. The agency can ask that Olivera be judged in contempt of court and that a lien be placed on his property if he doesn't pay.

Reporter Mike Salinero can be reached at (813) 259-8303.

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