Media Release

Over the weekend, The Alachua County Environmental Protection Department discovered problems with a County project left over from the 2004 hurricane season. The project involved removing downed trees and debris from the area contiguous to the County Support Services/Health Department Building. Alachua County EPD officials inspected the site on Monday (July 24). Staff discovered that the vegetation removal had gone too far in the removal of trees and under-story vegetation from this wetland conservation area. Furthermore, the St. Johns River Water Management District did not issue a required permit for the vegetation removal.

On Monday, EPD staff notified the St. John's River Water Management District (SJRWMD) of the unauthorized wetland vegetation removal. The City of Gainesville was also notified. EPD staff has met twice with the SJRWMD to discuss the issue. A meeting is currently being set between County staff and the SJRWMD to discuss immediate restoration of the area. The restoration efforts will require approval of SJRWMD before proceeding.

For more information, please contact Communications Coordinator Mark Sexton at (352) 374-5226 or EPD Natural Resources Manager Kathy Fanning at (352) 264-6800.