(UPDATED by Regional & International Bureau News Chief)
Early Saturday March 26, 2016, persons decided that it would be a good use of their time to illegally trespass and destroy private and public property along FL. SR 82 between 40th Street and Shawnee Rd in Lehigh Acres; all in the name of a good time.
After a short time these persons began destroying these properties, they became criminals and their vehicle become stuck in the very property they had destroyed, just moments earlier. Once these criminals figured out they could not get out of the very destruction they made, these criminals turned to the social media website Facebook and began bragging and begging for someone to rescue them.
And as you can see in the picture in this article, help arrived to rescue these criminals. So with that you would think this article would have a happy ending, well no such luck. After speaking to county officials it is clear that these criminals good time will cost tens of thousands of dollars to repair, and that is nothing compare to the ecological impact on the area wetlands.
Will these criminals be paying for the cost of the repairs and environmental cleanup? Will these criminals be arrested for their criminal acts or will they continue to destroy our future and our children s future? These are question that need to be answered.
The Regional & International Bureau Chief nailed that update. And yes I would like to know if these people will be paying for the repairs and cleanup.
I think because they have all this time on their hands to be criminals they should have plenty of spare time to repair the damages…
David lee where are you from? I may not pay for bullshit repairs and clean up. I would be happy to pay for your plane ticket to where you and any other no natives that have a issue with a little dirt tore up. Maybe we should move this party to you community’s. Think that plastic pole gate will keep my truck out. Mind your own business before I make it yours.
Johnathan Bisbin, your an idiot.
Correction: Jonathan Bisbin you’re an idiot.
You guys are like the old grumpy man who’s wife left him and now he can only get his rocks off by ruining other people’s fun. Quit being pricks. No one was hurt, nothing of value was damaged. If you want to Improve LA focus on the crime rate and shootings. To take even ONE moment away from those substantial law enforcement problems to complain about someone who went mudding in a swamp is almost criminal in itself. Get a life.
http://thelehighacresgazette.com/news/la-msid-rolls-out-new-plan-to-protect-local-environment
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.
Quit being a little bitch. You call them criminals over and over at least 20 times. Its apart of southern heritage to go offroading and get muddy. Your making it seem as if they are crack dealers.
This has nothing to do with Southern Heritage or about being a redneck this is a very simple you were on other people’s property damaging the ecosystem that is against the law so wake up. Would you like us to bring our 4 wheel drive vehicles and our four wheelers to your house and tear up your yard???
HOW IS MUDDING HURTING THE ECOSYSTEM…maybe if u got your fat ass out there u and see its fun and the only damage as u say is tire marks…the water is still going where its suppose to..
Read this http://thelehighacresgazette.com/news/mudding-is-illegal-and-destructive
Mike, your an idiot.
Correction: Mike, you’re an idiot.
This has been happening for years. No one ever bothers to go back here. At least we’re not dumping shit everywhere like the hood rats that dump their hot tubs and damn near anything else they can think of. And if you actually knew anything about the environment then you should know that grass grows back. And you call us idiots
What are the penalties regarding wetlands??
Civil liability exists for damage caused to water from unlawful dredging, filling, or destruction of wetlands. Fines may run as high as $10,000 per offense, and liability may be joint and several (see FE598, Private Regulation, for discussion of joint and several liability).
Criminal sanctions apply for willful pollution or contamination, making these violations third-degree felonies. Fines up to $50,000 per offense and imprisonment for up to five years may be imposed. Furthermore, each day of non-compliance may create a separate violation. Reckless indifference or disregard of the probability of harm to the state’s water resources is a second-degree misdemeanor with a fine of not more than $5,000 or six months’ imprisonment. Failure to obtain a permit, failure to comply with regulations, or making false statements to the permitting authorities are all first-degree misdemeanors punishable by a fine of not more than $10,000 or six months’ imprisonment.
Source
Chapter 373, Florida Statutes, Sections 473.413 to 373.403
Chapter 373, Florida Statutes, Sections 403.9324 to 403.9333
Kayla, you’re IGNORANT.
Just some kids having a lil bit of fun. Nothing to have too much concern about. When FPL puts new lines up or replaces poles and they drive through those “wetlands” is that bad too? Should FPL be called criminals and fined as well? Where does it stop? Should the state of Florida be fined for putting a road through that “wetland”? I think not. Its better to have clean fun out in the woods than to be in town causing trouble.
What are the penalties regarding wetlands???
Civil liability exists for damage caused to water from unlawful dredging, filling, or destruction of wetlands. Fines may run as high as $10,000 per offense, and liability may be joint and several (see FE598, Private Regulation, for discussion of joint and several liability).
Criminal sanctions apply for willful pollution or contamination, making these violations third-degree felonies. Fines up to $50,000 per offense and imprisonment for up to five years may be imposed. Furthermore, each day of non-compliance may create a separate violation. Reckless indifference or disregard of the probability of harm to the state’s water resources is a second-degree misdemeanor with a fine of not more than $5,000 or six months’ imprisonment. Failure to obtain a permit, failure to comply with regulations, or making false statements to the permitting authorities are all first-degree misdemeanors punishable by a fine of not more than $10,000 or six months’ imprisonment.
Source
Chapter 373, Florida Statutes, Sections 473.413 to 373.403
Chapter 373, Florida Statutes, Sections 403.9324 to 403.9333
People have been going out there for years… If you know anything about lehigh acres you would know this. The Ecoligical damages if weren’t done by them would have been done by the numerous tractors that the county brings through there all the time to widen SR82… If it was private property then the guys can be sued by the landowner. But the county has been kicking people out of public land for a couple years now and only to hold out to sell to companies so it’s not just ecological damages that people are worried about… It is the ALL MIGHTY DOLLAR.
What are the penalties regarding wetlands?
Civil liability exists for damage caused to water from unlawful dredging, filling, or destruction of wetlands. Fines may run as high as $10,000 per offense, and liability may be joint and several (see FE598, Private Regulation, for discussion of joint and several liability).
Criminal sanctions apply for willful pollution or contamination, making these violations third-degree felonies. Fines up to $50,000 per offense and imprisonment for up to five years may be imposed. Furthermore, each day of non-compliance may create a separate violation. Reckless indifference or disregard of the probability of harm to the state’s water resources is a second-degree misdemeanor with a fine of not more than $5,000 or six months’ imprisonment. Failure to obtain a permit, failure to comply with regulations, or making false statements to the permitting authorities are all first-degree misdemeanors punishable by a fine of not more than $10,000 or six months’ imprisonment.
Source
Chapter 373, Florida Statutes, Sections 473.413 to 373.403
Chapter 373, Florida Statutes, Sections 403.9324 to 403.9333
So what are people supposed to do for fun? Sit on social media all day? What happened so “get outside more” everyone is so uptight now a days. Its a little mud and grass ran over. No buildings destroyed, no one hurt, no fires or trash. Simply grass ran over. Get over your selves. Just because your stuck in an office all hours of your life doesn’t mean we are.
According to David Lindsay at LA-MSID, 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.
Kassie, maybe you should buy your own property and have as much fun as you like destroying it. Okay?
Well first off you even said yourself public property. Second if you would stop taking the fun out of life away it wouldn’t be seen in the eyes of politics as wrongful doing.we ride and who do we bother? Who do you call when stuck on the side of the road and who shows up we do. When we try to relieve a long work week of pain and misery by just risen in our pride people that think the have authority because they have money well you aren’t any different then me or anyone else when you wake up you put your clothes on the same way we do difference is we bust our a$$ for what we got and you push papers behind a desk. And we are not criminals we are American by birth southern by choice and country by the grace of god. What you see as misfortune we see as opportunity. What you call poor or lower poverty we call American and I believe without the sweat on our brows and dirt on our boots what would you have nothing because you lack skill and rejoice on us doing things like this. You sweat break you back and get callus on your hand and then when you talk your voice might be noticed. Until then leave us alone as we’ve done you and stop criticizing our hobbies and passions.
You were on someone else’s property destroying it it’s as simple as that and that’s against the law. Your hobby can damage the ecosystem so are you going to pay for your damages?
Im curious about this enviromental damage. Perhaps you could explain how some torn up grass damages wetlands, because you sound out of your rocker.
These wetlands are private property do you have permission to tear up other people property?
Joe 4×4, too bad you didn’t learn to read or you might understand issues related to environmental damage. Try READING the imperative information provided. Or perhaps you have suffered drain bamage from too many rollovers with the 4×4!?!?
Chris, a TRUE southerner would never be disrespectful to another or his property. God’s Grace is precious and not commonly used as a facade for entitlement to violate the law of the land. Perhaps, as an American born, choosing a southern association, perhaps you should read the Bible to grasps the true Grace of God.
Southern, born and raised, and truly blessed with respect of public and private property, by the Grace of God. J
If it is posted, No Trespassing, They shouldn’t be violating other peoples property but atleast these so called criminals are not doing what the real typical Lehigh criminals are… Stealing & Shooting… They are mudding. Theres nothing else to do around here. This article is retarded and the writer sounds ignorant calling them criminals over and over as if they are hurting someone.
They are on private property it does not have to be posted period. Mudding and tearing up other people property is against the law. Would like people come to our house with their 4 wheel drive trucks and tear up your property for fun?
Who cares? At least they’re not in the city causing trouble and tearing up things, it’s grass, it’ll grow back and it’s not a big deal. People get so worked up over absolutely nothing.
It against the law — you destroy other people property when doing this.
But its okay to allow fracking in Lehigh,but not That’s why the developers are selling the land without the mineral rights. Its OK for them to destroy the water aquifer. Allowing ATV to ride in trails that are already there is a lot less damaging then fracking. People wake up
There is NO fracking in Lehigh Acres. And for the mineral rights they sold by Lehigh Corp back in the 60’s. ATV trails public illegal and you can be arrested.
What were you lying about again?
http://drillfrackingnews.com/LehighAcresFloridafracking
http://fortmyers.floridaweekly.com/news/2013-06-05/Business_News/DRILLING_FOR_LOCAL_OIL.html
There has NEVER been a fracking drill site setup in the 143 square miles of Lehigh acres. We have a deep well injection unit but that’s not fracking.
So glad to hear that all real crime in the area, such as shootings, drugs, burglary, etc have all been stopped, so we can focus so intently on these “criminals” who aren’t hurting anything the county/electric company/etc doesn’t hurt exactly the same way maintaining the power poles they cleared a path through this oh so fragile exosystem for……
It’s still against the law. The Lehigh Acres Gazette has done articles on other issues such as shootings, drugs, burglary, etc but this article has hurt a nerve.
You sir are a city slicker and e retard my family has been off roading for generations and every trail we have mad in the swamp a year later you can’t even tell it was there shut up about us off roaders and worry about the drugs shootings abd theirs boy I wish my grandparents coukd see this
It’s hurt a nerve because most people are tired of piddly laws being inforced against people doing little to no harm, when REAL criminals get away with real crimes every single day.
It’s laws like this that contribute to drugs and delinquency, as people aren’t allowed to go out and have fun anymore.
If you do not like the laws of the land change them …. call your County Commissioners
TO ALL THAT READS THIS — If you do not like the laws of the land change them …. call your County Commissioners or your state representatives ……RESPECT other peoples property and articles like this would ever be written.
THE LEHIGH ACRES GAZETTE WEB TEAM WILL NOT APPROVE ANY MORE COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE PERIOD!!!!!!
lmao who the hell cares! Rednecks are gunna do whatever is fun no matter how illegal it is. We like to get drunk get dirty go mudding and tear up stuff, now yes we get a lil carried away. Try to tell a redneck he or she can’t do something you’re not gunna like the outcome and if you hear the words hold my beer, you better pay attention because it’s about to get real interesting. CITY FOLKS JUST DONT UNDERSTAND.
What a huge waiste of time. Criminals criminals criminals criminals!!!! Give me a break. The pic I see is of guys in the mud on a pipeline. So let me get this straig g to they ruined and destroyed this area by making ruts in the mud but those MASSIVE electrical lines are ok….? Give me a break. I wish I had the free time and such a problem free life I could sit around and bitch and complain about mud
Haha holy shit old man, tearing up grass in three wetlands doesn’t hurt the environment at all.. I have cousins there in Florida and look forward to going missing in that same spot you mentioned. I’ve been going every time I visit then there. I do have a question, what are you going to do about it? Local law enforcement doesn’t care, you can’t detain any citizens yourself, or at least that wouldn’t be a good idea on account your state has conceal carry… So seriously, what are you going to do? Write another angry letter and get your ass ripped by the locals, again? I look forward yo visiting my family and going mudding. On a final note, get a life old man.
If you brought your 4wd to my house. And started tearing up my yard. I would join you. Cause it is fun. I understand that tearing up private land is wrong. Tearing up national forestry is wrong. Cause I live in Mississippi and that is what we have. It is aginst the law and they were cought. So what let it go. I go mudding all the time. I’m sure that you are a criminal also I’m sure some where along the lines you did something against the law. Whether it was speed or run a few light. Let it go. People mess up and learn from mistakes. I’m gonna go mudding again and again. Make a new mud hole somewhere. I love the environment so much I cover my truck in it