What are defenses for gopher tortoises against development?

Open letter to Manatee County Commissioner Robin DiSabatino:

I see Manatee County is on top of things as usual (“Medallion Home being investigated after knocking down conservation area”).

As I was driving through El Conquistador Parkway from Bayshore Boulevard to the 53rd Avenue circle and 75th Street West on a recent Saturday evening, I thought of you. I thought I still need to write and ask how exactly will the county keep track of Florida gopher tortoises getting removed from the Beruff/Long Bar Pointe property once ground is broken?

I guess I better not wait any longer to ask that question, seeing how, based upon this new Medallion Homes article, Mr. Beruff’s company and/or employees can’t be trusted to do the right thing.

Please have someone at the county send me a list of county requirements to be followed for moving wildlife off the Long Bar Pointe property.

This story was originally published November 8, 2016 at 6:25 PM with the headline "What are defenses for gopher tortoises against development?."