Over six years, countless mangroves have been illegally removed across the Treasure Coast to make way for new development.
Three recent instances include:
Check out TCPalm’s coverage on illegal mangrove removal.
Are Florida mangroves a protected species?
Mangroves are protected under state law. It is illegal to alter or cut down mangroves without a permit.
Clearing can result in fines up to $250 for each altered mangrove and required restoration and/or mitigation, depending on the scale of destruction and whether it’s a first, second or multiple occurrence.
Florida law — with some exceptions — allows property owners to trim “riparian mangrove fringes” that extend less than 50-feet to improve waterfront views and/or access navigable waterways. A permit is not required if homeowners follow that state’ trimming guidelines.
Here’s how Florida’s estimated 600,000 acres of mangrove forests benefit all coastal species:
Gianna Montesano is TCPalm’s trending reporter. You can contact her at gianna.montesano@tcpalm.com, 772-409-1429, or follow her on X @gonthescene.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Is it illegal to cut down mangroves in Florida? Times mangroves cut down on Treasure Coast
Reporting by Gianna Montesano and Timothy O’Hara, Treasure Coast Newspapers / Treasure Coast Newspapers
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
