JUPITER — A Florida couple's decision to chop down 109 mangroves from their property along the Loxahatchee River in Palm Beach County may cost them $1.6 million.
Magistrate Paul Nicoletti on Wednesday ordered Roger and Myrna Byrd to pay the town of Jupiter $15,000 per tree.
The Palm Beach Post reports the Byrds didn't have proper state and town permits when they cleared the mangroves. The couple turned down an offer from Jupiter officials to pay $1,000 per tree.
Attorney Greg Kino says his clients will appeal the ruling.
The Byrds still face a potential $43,100 fine from the state Department of Environmental Protection for chopping down the mangroves.
The spindly trees act as a nursery for sea life and reduce erosion. They have been protected by the state since 1985.
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Editorial Cartoons: May 23, 2012
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 11
native_at_heart writes:
Good!! What kind of idiot would cut mangroves? They may not be the prettiest (I actually like them)but mother nature put them there for a reason AND they are protected. Make them pay dearly AND make them plant 109 pods to replace what they destroyed.
voltihs writes:
If these jerks don't like living in harmony with nature, move elsewhere. There's no mangroves in Newark, NJ
livinginnaples writes:
I think cutting down 109 trees of any type would require a special permit. They should double the fine for stupidity.
naplescriminaldefense writes:
Deport.
anotherPOV writes:
How many Mangroves were cut down for Fiddlers Creeek?
munchkinsdaddy2 writes:
good point
woods311 writes:
And Marco Island, Port Royal, Aqualane Shores, Royal Harbor,and Hamilton Harbor?
garnet1995 writes:
These retires are the worst generation I will be here when their dead and cleaning up after their gated communities ,and their self-center life styles that promote only themselves to destroy and not promote wholeness... Thank-God they were caught
furball writes:
Add Bonita Bay and Pelican Bay to that too.
joeshmoe writes:
please keep in mind that all snowbirds have bird brains
pitbull writes:
Good, I hope that there was more then just a fine??
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