More than 100 Jupiter, FL Mangroves Destroyed - Consequences of Killing Endangered Species
I have been following the case of the Jupiter, Fla. mangrove cutting case with great interest. As a recap, a couple from up north, the Byrds, purchased a riverfront property on the Loxahatchee. They are obviously people of means and presumably intelligent. When they move in, they decide to obliterate 109 mangrove trees from the shore line. These trees are an essential part of our ecosystem. They prevent erosion and provide a shelter and breeding ground for our local fisheries. Cutting down or trimming mangroves is not illegal as long as the landowner obtains the proper permits and hires an approved arborist. The Byrds did neither. Instead, they hire a stealth outfit that comes in the middle of the night and hacks the mangroves out. Then they have the temerity to claim they didn’t know better. Nobody is buying that BS. Neither did the magistrate who wacked them for more than a million in fines. The Byrds cry foul – it’s too much! Nonsense, they willingly destroyed a shore line that will take several generations to replace. Now they are being charged with two misdemeanors for their gall. Good. Maybe a taste of jail or probation will tell them that their money is no good here and can’t buy them a free pass to do whatever. Maybe that works up north but not here. Too bad tar and feathering is not available.
Brian F. LaBovick, Esq.
Esther Uria LaBovick, Esq.
Marcie Dodson, J.D.
Rafael M. Diaz, Esq.
Mark R. Hanson, Esq.
Joseph R. Fields Jr., Esq.
Tara L. Kopp, Esq.
Warren Q. Peebles, Esq.
Joseph T. Zebrowski, J.D.