I know I missed a lot of details on this by choice, so I apologize...but I am curious...

If the trees were cut by someone unknown and it was not on Villages property, then why did the Villages get fined in the first place?

How did the state agency find the Villages at fault?

District to Pay for Unauthorized Tree Cutting
 

Let me correct something I said. The land is owned by TV, but is under the jurisdiction and use controls of the the state agency noted above. (South West Water Management District .. I think) TV is subject to tremendous numbers of regulations from this agency. It's kind of like if you want to remove a tree of significant size from your property you must get permission from TV. If you do not, TV can require that you replace that tree.

Thanks!

District to Pay for Unauthorized Tree Cutting
 

Nice catch, dbussone.

As you say, TV owns the property. But SWFWMD Environmental Resource Permits strictly limit what can take place over the property in question. Removing the trees was (obviously) not a permitted activity.

You are welcome. Have a nice Fourth of July.

If interested, here is their website. They have very broad powers related to water and land uses: Southwest Florida Water Management District

We are used to this from living on Lake Michigan. If you want to move a dune two inches, it will probably take you a year to get a permit. Very hard to mess with protected land. If you do and get caught, you must restore at your own cost.

And DB, nice of you to explain. Five minutes' worth of reading and newguy could have answered his own questions.

the risk we run

That's pretty funny. Thanks.

Nothing
 

Someone posted an answer to my above question regarding what is Sumter and Fl State doing about this. Suggesting that I call them....

I did. They already did their job and thank you for them.

* Many months ago many trees on Village property bordering a non village owned lake were illegally cut down and trucked away.

* Sumter and FL state fined The Villages $50,000.00

* The Villages paid the fine

To answer your question. The county and state did their job and received their fine and new trees being replanted so they are done.
So, IMO... TV chose to pay this fine and charge the residents of this VCCD and apparently case closed for TV

That's a fair assessment of the situation imho.

The only clarification I would offer is that TV didn't choose to pay the fine. There was no choice. SWFWMD would not delay for a long period of investigation. TV (VCCD) is the permittee and they are responsible for permit violations.

If the VCCD wishes to pursue the matter further, it is a separate matter as far as SWFWMD is concerned.

I don't know what really happened other than those of us who are residents of The Villages got fined for something we did not do.

I don't know exactly, but really want to know. All I've ever asked is that our local officials inform us of the status of the investigation more than the fact that what they have is inconclusive.

First I mistrust the person or persons who had the idea to secretly and apparently clandestinely cut down some protected trees for whatever reason they may have. Second I mistrust whoever did the actual physical deed of cutting the trees. I would not use the word "mistrust" for others, but I deeply wonder why our local sheriff, local newspaper, district manager, and supervisors are not informing us of the status and details of this investigation, for which the residents of this community paid a substantial fine.

I have accused no one of lying, though I think the person or persons who cut the trees and/or hired the cutting of the trees is lying. I have not pointed a finger of blame. I believe the person or persons who cut the trees or hired someone to cut down the trees profited in some fashion. I do not know that others "profited" in any way, nor have I accused them of such, but I am infinitely curious why this investigation seems so difficult to conclude.

Now, I love our community too. I choose to live here because I love it. This crime will never sit well with me until we know who did it and force them to receive the punishment rather than the citizens of TV. Yes, my share of the fine would be minimal, as would yours, but it's the principle that sticks in my craw, and I hope it does in everyone's.

District to Pay for Unauthorized Tree Cutting
 

I generally agree with your thoughts...except for the last one. I will not let it stick in my craw.

Who did you call?
How could Sumter (county?) fine anybody?
If the county did their job; what was their job?
The county did not receive any fine $, did they?
Is this all opinion?

I would like to know where The Village Watch was while this was happening. I see them driving around, but I never see them actually doing anything.