Former Buc quarterback flagged for tree takedown

TAMPA -- Former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Vinny Testaverde cut down at least 20 trees in the shoreline of his Lake Keystone home without a permit, prompting the county's environmental agency to cite him and order him to replace the trees.

According to Hillsborough County's Environmental Protection Commission, Testaverde agreed to replant 20 trees at his Gunn Highway home, which he bought last year for $4.5-million. Testaverde couldn't be reached for comment, but an environmental consultant who works for him said the trees were replanted about three weeks ago.

"He's worked with the EPC quite diligently to come up with a solution," said Dan Garlick, an environmentalist Testaverde hired after he was cited. "We think we've done the remedial action the EPC requested."

The EPC plans to visit the home later this week to make sure Testaverde has followed the EPC's requirements, which include planting ferns and other herbaceous plants along the shoreline. If he passes inspection, he still must make sure the trees and plants survive a year from now.

The EPC learned about the removal of the Cypress trees on April 22, when a woman who didn't leave a name alerted the agency about their removal. Two days later, Gwen Darrey, who has lived on the lake the past four years, called to complain. She was kayaking with a friend when she saw a crew of about four men cutting down the last tree.

"I was just shocked," Darrey said. "Every single tree had been removed. It's so disrespectful. Other homeowners on the lake want to remove their trees so they have a better lake view, but they don't because they follow the rules."

Jim Swain, president of the Lake Keystone Property Owners Association, said 230 homes are on the lake, but only 30 to 40 have unobstructed views like the one enjoyed now by Testaverde.

"That was a massive clearing of trees that were 40 feet high," Swain said. "When the home was built, they did a great job preserving those trees. It's hard to imagine that whoever bought the property wouldn't know about that preservation effort and order the trees to get cut down."

Testaverde was cooperative when he was told about the violation, said Bill Inch, an EPC environmental scientist who visited the property on April 24. He said he didn't know that the tree removal violated the county's wetlands rules.

"He took responsibility for it," Inch said. "He was very cordial."

The removal threatened to degrade the water quality of the lake. Cypress trees help fortify the soil along the shoreline, preventing erosion. The canopies also provide wildlife habitat.

Testaverde faces a possible fine of $1,500 plus a $50-an-hour charge for investigative costs, said Debbie Sinko, the EPC's general manager of the wetlands division. But if the inspection shows he has complied with the remedial order, Sinko said he won't be fined.

Darrey said she was impressed with the EPC's response to her complaint. She said she saw the replanted trees on Memorial Day, and said it was nice that Testaverde was ordered to repair the damage. Still, she said, it wasn't a perfect fix.

"I'm sure it will be nice again in 10 to 15 years," Darrey said.

-- Michael Van Sickler, Times staff writer