Tampa may pay for polluting

The city did not respond to problems that surfaced in an inspection last year, state officials say.

By DAVID KARP and RON MATUS
© St. Petersburg Times
published September 5, 2002

TAMPA -- State environmental regulators may fine the city government as much as $100,000 for failing to stop pollution from running into Tampa's waterways.

State and city officials are negotiating a settlement that could include fines and force the city to more vigorously enforce environmental rules.

The Department of Environmental Protection decided to take action when the city did not respond to problems that surfaced in an inspection last year, officials said.

Among the top concerns: The city failed to do enough to control stormwater runoff from construction sites and industrial facilities.

"I don't think stormwater is a priority for the city," DEP stormwater administrator Michael Bateman said Wednesday.

Last year's inspection also found that the city was not doing enough to control illegal discharges into the stormwater system, such as septic tank pipes channeling raw sewage.

DEP officials have chided the city repeatedly for failing to enact a stormwater fee for residential customers. Dozens of other Florida cities use such a fee to pay for inspectors, pollution filters and stormwater ponds.

In Tampa, stormwater improvements are "at the end of the line when it comes to the budget," Bateman said. "That's the reality."

This summer, the DEP sent city officials a letter warning them that they may be violating environmental regulation.

The city has until Friday to turn in more information.

City Attorney James Palermo said Wednesday that the city has satisfied many of the DEP's concerns and wants to solve outstanding issues.

Ralph Metcalf, director of the city sanitary sewers department, could not be reached for comment.

The state's warning letter hasn't satisfied many residents along South Westshore, who have been fighting the city for years.

"Maybe it will convince (the city) to take some corrective measures," said Sunset Park resident Scott Hendry, vice president of Neighbors Against Stormwater Pollution.

Resident Louis Schulman isn't as optimistic. "These fines mean nothing," Schulman said.

The DEP isn't addressing their concerns, residents said. Schulman and others want the city to dredge canals and put filters over stormwater pipes to keep more sediment from building up.

Local resident may file a lawsuit, Schulman said.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright