Holmes Beach code enforcement officer James J.T. Thomas Jr. responded Aug. 20 to a tip that mangroves were being cut — possibly illegally — in the 300 block of Clark Drive.
Workers at the construction site of a multi-family structure were found cutting mangroves to make way for a pool, but the company had obtained the necessary permission.
According to Thomas, the owners of the property had hired an arborist to assess the mangroves. They then received a permit to cut the trees. Cutting the mangroves also was included in the city-approved site plan.
But when Thomas arrived at the site, he found another issue. Construction workers had placed drain pipes going through the mangroves to carry excess groundwater into Spring Lake.
Once alerted to the code violation, Thomas said the issue was corrected within a couple of hours.
Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer said the building department is working on the drainage issue and will send a report for follow up action to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
“Holmes Beach is going to be proactive,” Thomas said.
Code enforcement can be contacted at 941-708-5800, codeenforcement@holmesbeachfl.org or at 5801 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach.
— Kristin Swain