AR-News: (FL - US)Fish, turtles die as developer drains pond

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A temporary pond was dug at the construction site, which is the future home of a 41-unit complex of single-family houses and condos, but it is unknown if any turtles made it there.

 
By TOM BAYLES



tom.bayles at heraldtribune.com

SARASOTA -- For years, residents in the Bay Road neighborhood have visited a pond teeming with fish and turtles in woods north of the road.

The land was owned by John and Lenora Morgan and became a neighborhood park of sorts for generations of families.

But the Morgans sold the land in February and last weekend a developer's bulldozer knocked down trees and drained the pond.

Residents say they watched aghast as turtles scattered and were hit by cars, and as fish flopped helplessly in the pond's muddy bottom.

They said the stench of rotting fish and turtles the next day was unbearable.

"There were fish and turtles just lying in the mud dying," said Sharon Welles, who lives nearby. "How could somebody just come in and totally devastate that pond?"

The Maddox Group is building a 41-unit complex of single-family houses and condos on the site. The prices at Granada Park will range from $300,000 to $700,000 in the neighborhood west of Tamiami Trail.

Company president William Maddox said the pond had to be moved to fit the houses and condos and to improve drainage in the area.

"We understand that it's a tough thing for people to watch," Maddox said. "We recognize fish died and that was an important thing."

He said his company acquired the necessary local and state permits to move the pond and called at least a half-dozen wildlife agencies for help in relocating the turtles, but in the end none would take them.

Maddox said he shares the neighborhood's concern for the wildlife and held a neighborhood meeting on May 14. He promised to restock a new pond with fish.

Southwest Florida Water Management District spokesman Michael Molligan said state and federal environmental agencies approved Maddox's plans and permits were issued without any conditions about saving the wildlife.

Molligan said that before work began scientists for the water district found Suwannee Cooter turtles on the property, a species the state considers of special concern.

He said Maddox agreed to dig a temporary pond the turtles could crawl into and await the construction of a permanent pond.

There was a pond filled with water at the site Friday, but it was unclear whether any of the turtles made it there.

"If we were developing out east, without 150 pairs of eyes on us, this wouldn't be such a thing," Maddox said.

"However, that's not to minimize the concerns they have. They have a right to be concerned."

Construction of Granada Park should be completed in August. 
Last modified: May 24. 2004 12:00AM