FDEP Investigating Illegal Mangrove Trimming Complaints at Aqua

MANATEE COUNTY – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is investigating complaints of illegal mangrove trimming along the shore of Carlos Beruff's Aqua (formerly Aqua by the Bay and Long Bar Pointe), a mega-development on Sarasota Bay in southwest Manatee County.

First reported by the AMI Sun, the article quotes FDEP's Press Secretary explaining that because the site has a permitted mitigation bank with an approved mangrove trimming plan on private property, permission for site access is required for inspection, which the agency said it is working to obtain.

Oculus, the state's document management site, shows several complaints of unpermitted mangrove trimming on the development site. The developer has previously been accused of removing protected Bald Eagles' nests on the property.

Long Bar Pointe's mitigation bank permit requires the property owner to provide FDEP with 48 hours notice prior to performing any trimming of mangroves with photographs to be taken and submitted to FDEP 14 days before the trimming activity begins and subsequent photographs taken and submitted within 14 days after the trimming activity occurs. FDEP is then responsible for a site visit which is to be performed within 30 days.

Beruff's attorney, Ed Vogler, told the Sun that all of the mangrove trimming was done in accordance with permits and that his client welcomes the investigation.