The City's Mitigation Pact

Instead of paying fines for clearing 41,630 feet of mangroves by the Police Station without a permit from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the City Commission has approved a settlement agreement with the state to resolve the potential fines and penalties. The settlement calls for the City to spend $1.5 million over three years to mitigate the damage it did by restoring water flows to the west side of the Salt Ponds and planting red and black mangroves in other areas of the Salt Ponds.

Now, that the City has made an agreement to spend $1.5 million of the taxpayers' money for another decision by our illustrious Assistant City Manager that got the City into trouble with the state, it will be interesting to see whether the City actually keeps its word or whether this agreement will become a game of smoke and mirrors. Will the City play fast and loose with the State? Will another City Commission come along and void the agreement, as Commissioner Bethel thinks can occur without consequence?

The City's credibility is on the line, and we certainly won't hold our collective breath waiting for the City to carry out its promises. The Florida DEP and environmental groups should keep the heat on the City to make sure it does what it has promised.