It is a violation to remove protected trees without a permit. The abatement trees are to be replanted on the site from which they were removed whenever possible. However, occasionally circumstances exist where planting trees on-site is not feasible.
Lee County's
Land Development Code (LDC) Section 14-384(a)(2) in part states: "The administrator may at his/her discretion allow the replacement stock to be planted off-site where approved development displaces areas to be restored. In these situations, off-site plantings shall be on lands under the control of a public agency. The off-site location is subject to the approval of the administrator."
The tree replanting fund was established in 1999. These monies are collected through the abatement of an environmental code enforcement violation. This has proven to be convenient for both Lee County and the violator. Monies from the fund are used to purchase trees for various County parks and schools. Good quality plants are purchased and planted at the right time of year for long-term survival. This has proven to be a successful abatement solution for several violations.
2014
Lee County Wa-Ke Hatchee Dog Park
In 2014 Lee County Environmental Sciences collected $2,700 in the Tree Replanting Fund. Large green buttonwood and black olive trees were installed at Woof-A-Hatchee Dog Park, which is located in Wa-Ke Hatchee Community Park, 16760 Bass Road. This roomy park gives your dog space to run, play and make new friends. The park is an off-leash, fenced area complete with a separate space for puppies or shy dogs, restrooms, watering stations and dog-waste disposal stations.
2012
Lee County Galt Preserve (Pine Island)
In 2012 Lee County Environmental Sciences collected $22,600 in the Tree Replanting Fund. The plantings at Lee County Galt Preserve, located on Pine Island, consisted of a wide variety of coastal upland trees and shrubs, including Gumbo Limbo, Spanish/White Stopper, Sea Grape, Wild Coffee and many more.
2010
East Lee County High
School
In 2010 Lee County Environmental Sciences collected $1,260 in the Tree
Replanting Fund. The plantings at East Lee County High School, located in
Lehigh, consisted of planting live oak trees and Simpson stopper shrubs along
Thomas Sherwin Avenue. 2009
Lee County School Bus
Depot and Mirror Lakes Elementary School
In 2009
Lee County Environmental Sciences collected $9,146 in the Tree Replanting Fund.
The Lee County School Bus Depot and Mirror Lakes Elementary School, both located
in Lehigh, consisted of planting trees and shrubs, mulching of new plant
material, and maintenance of existing plant material.
2008
Bonita Beach Access #3
In 2008 Lee County Environmental Sciences collected $5,270 into the Tree Replanting Fund. The Bonita Beach Access #3 project was completed in February of 2009 and consisted of planting beach dune vegetation (sea oats, Jamaican caper, and sabal palms) and exotic removal of the invasive exotic Scaevola.