MANATEE COUNTY – State environmental authorities have conducted their initial inspection of the mangrove trimming that recently occurred along the shoreline of the Aqua property being developed adjacent to Sarasota Bay.
“DEP did do an initial inspection on Tuesday (April 26) and in the coming weeks we will be conducting an additional inspection,” said Alexandra Kuchta, press secretary for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
“I’d be happy to share a copy of the report once our inspections are completed,” Kuchta said in her email to The Sun.
Kuchta and FDEP provided no additional details on any findings or determinations made during the April 26 inspection.
The Sun recently reported FDEP received three complaints about potentially illegal or improper mangrove trimming that occurred along the Aqua shoreline in February. FDEP email exchanges indicate procedural errors may have occurred regarding FDEP’s pre-trimming notification requirements and FDEP’s before and after trimming photographic documentation requirements.
Aqua attorney Edward Vogler II recently told The Sun he believes all mangrove trimming that’s occurred on the Aqua property has been done in accordance with one or more permits previously obtained on behalf of developer Carlos Beruff and the Medallion Home development company.
Formerly known as Long Bar Pointe and Aqua by the Bay, the Aqua property is located in unincorporated Manatee County, between El Conquistador Parkway and Sarasota Bay.
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