A New Idea

In this case, the nearly 10 acres of wetlands on the property had varying levels of health, size, nuisance plants and urban wildlife.  The unhealthiest of the wetland stands was located right in the middle of the most desirable location for development.  But wetland protection laws do not split fine hairs among these or other factors.  And each of the governments responsible for protecting wetlands has different rules.

Complicating matters, the involved government agencies couldn’t decide which would actually be responsible for supervising any wetland activity.

Ultimately, the Southwest Florida Water Management District, a regulatory agency and special district covering sixteen counties of west, central Florida was determined as the permitting agency.  Through its regulatory program, the District is able to encourage, support and when necessary, enforce those actions which protect environmental resources within its jurisdiction including wetlands.

The property’s owner considers himself an environmentalist.  As a native Floridian, he’s seen lots of changes over time, not all of them good.  He has a personal concern for the unique birds and plants which live in wetlands.  But he had also invested a lot of money in the property and wanted to maximize his investment.  

As he looked at the various wetland stands on the property, he had an idea.  If he could take most of the bits and pieces of the wetlands on his property and put them in a better location, he could create something special- fully functional wetlands in the middle of a highly developed community.  To accomplish this, however, he would have to move the wetland at the front of the property, nearer to the back.

To do this, a mature, open, forested wetland exceeding five acres would have to be moved from one location on the property to another.  If it worked, there would be lots of benefits:

·         Improved wetland function

·         A noise barrier for residential areas nearby

·         Additional habitat for endangered and protected species and urban wildlife

·         Improvements for downstream conditions

·         Improvement in the 100 year flood plain

·         No waiting period while the wetland matures

·         Improved drainage for the area

·         Improved water quality

·         Enhanced recharge capability for water supply

·         Fair development of an economically-desirable site

·         Eliminated secondary wetland impacts

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