Hardy seeks extension

 

(Note: This man has the look of a combat veteran, which he is -- but the combat has been and continues to be against a radical land/water/resource/people control agenda masquerading as the 'Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Project, or 'CERP.' Just look at this face and imagine, if you are able, what Jesse has been through -- what he is still going through. He has said, over and over and over again, that his home and land is NOT for sale. Still the bloodhounds are relentless. Let's join our voices and tell Governor Bush, the Florida 'legislature' and all the others that are after Jesse's freedom -- his property rights -- that he's said NO and he MEANS NO!)

 

 

October 14, 2004

 

By M. Sullivan-Hartung

 

The Golden Gate Gazette Online

 

11725 Collier Blvd., Unit C

 

Naples, FL 34116

 

239-353-0444

http://www.goldengategazette.com

 

To submit a Letter to the Editor: newsroom@goldengategazette.com

Fish farmer and property rights hero Jesse Hardy is seeking an extension of his three-year conditional use that will allow him to continue his efforts to create four fish ponds on his 160-acre property in the Southern Golden Gate Estates.

Hardy and his legal representatives outlined his case during an October 4 public meeting at Louise Hasse Community Center.

A 12-year Navy veteran and former SEAL, Hardy bought the property for $60,000 in 1976, homesteaded it and later built a wood frame home without any electricity, running on a gas-powered generator, still in use today.

He has been fighting the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to keep the property, which lies in the middle of the state's massive Everglades Restoration Project.

After Hardy refused offers up to $4.4 million for the property, the state set a deadline of August 31 to work out a deal with the DEP or face condemnation.

The DEP has filed for eminent domain on the property.

But Collier County Principal Planner for Zoning & Land Development Department Mike Bosi, reminded those in attendance that the focus of the evening was not condemnation, but Hardy's request for an extension of his conditional use to fish farm the property.

The petition will come before the Collier County Planning Board on Thursday, October 21, in the Commission Chambers at the Collier County Government Complex. The meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m.

Despite protests from the environmental community, the county awarded the conditional use to Hardy in 2001.

The same year he received an aquaculture permit from the Department of Agriculture to dig four lakes that will total 80.7 acres for the purpose of farming fish.

"These lakes would benefit both the county and the people," Hardy says, adding that if granted, the farm would be open to the public for fishing and recreation. "I want it to be a place where people can come out and fish and actually come away with something. They can spend the day in the great outdoors with the family, and maybe even have a picnic in a clean environment with no polluted waters from chemicals or mercury in the fish."

The conditional use gave Hardy permission to haul fill material off-site for a period of three years, which expires later this month. Hardy says he depends on the fill, most of which is sold to Collier County for road building, for his livelihood.

Hardy is currently battling cancer and admits he has fallen behind on the pond excavation. To date, he has begun the first lake; and although still uncompleted, he has partially stocked the 8-10 acre pond with 1,000 catfish and sunfish in addition to 10,000 "skeeter minnows."

"Not only did we stock the lake, we videotaped it for anyone to view, making sure we met all the legal requirements," Hardy said. "You know, I didn't go into this with my eyes closed."

Future plans call for stocking catfish, brim, bass as well as soft-shell turtles, which are relatively easy to raise. He says he has had clients from as far away as China taking an interest in the turtles.

In a recent letter from the DEP, officials state Hardy has failed to comply with state requirements at his earth-mining operation, including the need for a wetland permit. Officials contend Hardy has also been sorting the fill from the excavation of his property for six months, something they say he is not allowed to do.

Hardy's engineer, Richard H. Thompson says Hardy doesn't need a wetland permit because the Agriculture Department regulates fish farms.

"I'm not sure who's right in this -- DEP or Hardy," says Hardy's attorney Christopher Thornton,

"If Hardy needs permits, then he'll get them, but granting the conditional use should not depend on that issue."

Collier County senior engineer Stan Chrzanowski said the Department of Agriculture has supported Hardy's fish farm by awarding him the permit to continue in these efforts.

Cindy Kemp, founder of Collier County Property Rights Action Committee, voiced support for the extension of Hardy's conditional use.

"I feel this is a fantastic opportunity for Jesse, and I think we should lend our support to him. Everyone I've spoken to about this is just as excited as Jesse is. We ask that you grant him this extension," she said.

Estates resident Stanley Fogg, owner of Fogg's Nursery, also noted support for Hardy.

"Jesse has worked very hard on this plan and I believe this has been a very nice, positive meeting," he said.

Copyright 2004, Tuff Publications, Inc.