LA-MSID is strengthening its efforts to improve water conservation and water quality in Lehigh Acres by implementing stricter measures to protect its preserves, lands and waterways.
LA-MSID has formed a partnership with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office East District Patrol and Agriculture Unit, Florida Fish and Wild Life agents and several private property owners to roll out an enforcement effort that will result in penalties for individuals found trespassing on District lands; using recreational vehicles –such as all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and sports utility vehicles— on canal rights-of-ways, LA-MSID property and other lands throughout Lehigh Acres; as well as for those found littering, dumping and destroying lands or infrastructure; and other such activities which are punishable by law.
“The District has been working on this joint enforcement plan for the last several months to limit trespassing, littering and property destruction—particularly those which are environmentally sensitive and crucial to our water management system,” said David E. Lindsay, LA-MSID District Manager. “The District has always enforced consequences for illegal actions, but now has jointly partnered entities that will be increasing both our education initiatives and enforcement efforts in the community.”
Florida Statute 298.66 provides for the prosecution of individuals causing damage to infrastructure while Florida Statute 375.314 provides for penalties and prosecution for the destruction of natural resources.
According to Florida Statutes 316.2074, ATVs cannot be operated on public streets, roadways, highways, road shoulders, or ditches. ATVs may only be operated on private property, with the permission of the private property owner. Violation of this statute may result in a traffic ticket and/or towing the ATV at the owner’s expense.
According to Lindsay, not all riders leave a negative impact, but these unauthorized actions are simply not allowed on private lands. However, there are several locations where individuals can go to ride ATVs in southwest Florida such as the Lazy Springs ATV Park located at 7350 State Road 82, Lehigh Acres – just minutes away from the Halfway Pond (Mirror Lakes) area, the Redneck Yacht Club located at 44570 Bermont Road, Punta Gorda, Fl 33982 941-505-8465, the Devils Garden Mud Club located at 23515 County Road 835, Clewiston, Fl 33440 and the Big Cypress National Preserve located just east of Naples off US 41/CR 94, 239-695-1201.
Lindsay explained the urgency of this enforcement effort comes as southwest Florida is approaching its wettest season of the year which pushes LA-MSID’s need to reduce these negative environmental impacts for good of the community and the integrity of its water system.