Recent mangrove removal at 111 Gull Drive in Anna Maria, above, appears to comply with a Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) permit exemption allowing a 116-foot seawall to be built along the canal behind the property, but the property owner failed to obtain required authorization from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) before removing the protected plants, according to a report dated Jan. 5 at the FDEP’s website.
The mangroves behind the home under construction were removed in early December, according to a complaint received by the City of Anna Maria, which posted a stop work order on Dec. 6 that city officials say was taken down without authorization.
The report also notes that the property owner, Jackie Sharp of Sharp Developments LLC, failed to install erosion control measures before the mangroves were removed in December. Sediment barriers were installed after the fact, according to the report.
About 67 feet of mangroves were removed before a neighbor reported the activity, halting the project temporarily, according to the report. About 49 feet of mangroves remain that may be subject to removal under the FDEP permit exemption. However, the FDEP report notes that further work is prohibited until the property owner obtains USACE authorization and all other required federal, state and local authorizations.
The City of Anna Maria has not yet issued a building permit for the seawall, city officials said on Monday.