Three major residential projects slated for northern Collier County (east of Longshore Lake and north Olde Cypress developments) are in a holding mode pending an administrative hearing with the South Florida Water Management District.
Saturnia Falls, a sister community of Saturnia Lakes is a project that will destroy about 280 acres of wetlands.
Mirasol, a golf course community will destroy approximately 650 acres of wetlands. The project calls for up to 799 homes, but will preserve 830 acres of wetlands and 110 acres of uplands.
Parklands is the third community affected. Parklands is also a golf course community with up to 1,600 homes.
Permits for these projects were originally issued in 2002.
The main issue for The Conservancy of Southwest Florida is the destruction of the Cocohatchee Slough and worsen water quality issues in the estuary at Wiggins Pass and Cocohatchee canal.
Also, the projects do infringe on an area where wood storks breed.
Hopefully, issues can be worked out by all parties and still preserve the natural beauty and habitat of the area.