Florida Man Operates Unpermitted Dumps Despite Warnings and Lawsuits

Unpermitted Dumps in Wetlands

• 🏗️ Maximo Sanchez is operating two unpermitted dumps in Hillsborough County, Florida, one of which is located in environmentally sensitive wetlands near Tampa Bay.
• ⚠️ Despite years of warnings and a consent order to clean up the Hartford Street site, the problem has worsened, with the debris mound growing significantly.
• 🚫 The site on Hartford Street currently lacks authorization from regulatory bodies like the EPC to fill or operate as a dump.

Environmental Violations and Fines

• 📜 Sanchez signed a consent order agreeing to remove fill material, regrade, and restore the wetland, but missed the November 30th deadline.
• 💰 He owes a $7,900 fine and has a new deadline of July 1st to comply with the cleanup order.
• 📈 Civil lawsuits have been filed against Sanchez's companies, alleging repeated environmental violations and seeking fines of up to $15,000 per day.

Neighboring Business Impact

• 💨 A neighboring business owner, Aaron Truman, reports 50-foot balls of dust billowing from the unpermitted landfill, impacting his business operations.
• 🏠 Dust continually pours over his building, coating everything and requiring frequent cleaning of air conditioners and replacement of carpets.
• ⚠️ Environmental engineer Walter Smith II warns that silicates in the dust can be dangerous to inhale, posing a significant health risk to those working nearby.

Legal and Criminal Charges

• ⚖️ The state has charged Sanchez with a felony violation of Florida's litter law and a misdemeanor violation of environmental protection rules.
• 🧑‍⚖️ Sanchez has pleaded not guilty to these charges, with a hearing scheduled for July.
• 🗣️ Neighbors and environmental advocates believe authorities have given Sanchez too much leeway and have not taken stringent enough action.

Property for Sale

• 💰 The property listed for sale for $5.9 million mentions plans for leveling and clearing the site, and addressing the wetlands.