Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/356321
Green added, "My understanding is that the county had previously denied the landowner [a permit] to do the above." Green pointed out that the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office was notified, but the officers who responded told residents that "the person in charge" had informed them that the owner had permission from Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) for the work "and that they were exempt from getting a permit from the County." Green added that because it was a Saturday, he knew county offices were closed. "And it looks like all the cutting and filling will occur before the [end] of today (Saturday)." Green included photos of the activity with his email. Robinson responded that she already had received several emails from other residents about the situation, so she had left a voice- mail for County Administrator Tom Harmer and copied numerous staff members on her reply to Green. One of those other emails Robinson refer- enced, which was sent at 10:12 a.m. on Feb. 22, said, "Our neighboring lot owner is cutting and shredding huge amounts of mangroves with no visible permit. Can u help?" In a Feb. 23 email, Robinson thanked Osterhoudt and Berna for their quick response, pointing out that Manasota Key residents "had pretty much accepted with a heavy heart that the work would continue and get finished because it was a Saturday and county staff was not in the office. Not only A photo taken by a Manasota Key resident on Feb. 22 shows workers adding fill to an area where mangroves have been removed. Photo courtesy Sarasota County Sarasota News Leader August 1, 2014 Page 47