Digest

Sierra club sues corps over permit for mall

By Times Staff Writer
Published October 2, 2007

WESLEY CHAPEL

The Sierra Club on Monday made good on its 2-month-old threat to sue the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for awarding a permit to Cypress Creek Town Center, a 1-million-square-foot mall under construction at Interstate 75 and State Road 56. The club, together with the Clean Water Action group and Gulf Restoration Network, filed papers in Washington, D.C., accusing the corps and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service of failing to fully and accurately assess the environmental impact of the development. "The land clearing has already polluted the creek, an Outstanding Florida Water," said Denise Layne, the Tampa-based spokeswoman for the club. "We have no faith in this permit protecting this exquisite piece of property as required by federal laws." Amanda Ellison, spokeswoman for the corps, said work isn't stopping at the Cypress Creek site because a court would need to issue an injunction for that to happen.

Chamber gives out annual awards

Cork & Olive and Wesley Chapel Toyota were among the dozen award winners announced at the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce's annual banquet Friday. Other winners included Thread Art, which was named home-based business of the year, and Wiregrass Ranch High School, named school partner of the year. Individual winners include: Darlene Reed, honorary mayor's award; Cindy Fleming, volunteer of the year and the outstanding board member; Alison Berke Morano, years of service award; Stacie Dalton, ambassador of the year; Janet Watson, president's award. The chamber says it added 200 members in the past year, bringing its membership to about 500.

[Last modified October 1, 2007, 21:47:06]