Wink, wink. Nod, nod
To the editor:
Given the fact that the City of Cape Coral illegally removed mangrove trees for a developer in 2019 and received a tap on the wrist, I think my title might be an apt description of the situation at the Seven Islands.
A brief outline of the great importance of mangroves, particularly here in Florida is needed.
They act as natural barriers against hurricanes, storm surges, waves, and erosion.
They reduce flooding and property damage during storms.
They serve as nurseries for fish, shrimp, crabs, and other marine life.
They filter pollutants trapping sediments, nutrients, and contaminants from runoff, improving water clarity and reducing algae blooms.
They also take 15-plus years to grow to a height of 10 feet.
The most recent turn of events that I am aware of is the developer has presented a restoration plan to South Florida Water Management District and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. What the plan is, I cannot say as it was not in the news story. Based on Cape Coral’s history, I tend to think that it is purposely being kept out of sight away from public view.
If this is not enough to make you wonder about the manner in which your elected representatives conduct business, please read on.
This criminal offense was not brought to light due to effective oversight on the part of the City of Cape Coral nor by the South Florida Water Management District nor by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; it was reported to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers by a concerned Cape Coral citizen. Just as a reminder, remember you are paying a lot of taxes for the city to conduct its business in a manner that is protective of the citizens they were elected to represent. Is expecting them to do this in an efficient, ethical manner asking too much?
As I outlined in a previous letter, the destruction of mangroves is a crime and can carry some healthy fines on top of it. To wit:
In Bradenton in 2018 a 72-year-old homeowner chopped down mangroves without a permit. She faced two misdemeanor charges (alteration without permit and no cutting permit), a $500 county citation, and a FDEP consent order with a $2,000 settlement plus replanting 60 mangroves.
In Jupiter in 2011 a couple faced a $1.6 million penalty ($15,000 per tree) for removing 109 mangroves and filling the area. The town offered a reduced $109,000 fine ($1,000/tree) plus replanting and a permanent no-trim rule. A prior similar case in Jupiter resulted in a $125,000 FDEP fine.
In Manasota Key/Sarasota County in 2014 a landowner bulldozed mangroves and filled the property without permits. He received a $250-per-day fine until restoration was completed (plus other penalties). The tree service involved also faced fines.
Given the action taken against these individuals, why wasn’t the city of Cape Coral in 2019 and Gulf Gateway Resort & Marina LLC in 2026 being fined in the same manner? Actually, why aren’t/weren’t criminal charges also imposed?
Three takeaways that I see in this are (1), your elected officials don’t give a hoot about you once elected, (2), voters seem to cast their votes without noticing the obvious malfeasance practiced by our politicians and the resulting damages to our environment and drain on our pocketbooks, and (3), rules and laws do not apply to our elected officials and big business, only to the ordinary citizen.
Norman Cannon
Fort Myers