Commissioners pass new wetlands rules, despite pleas from developers

TAMPA -- Hillsborough County commissioners unanimously passed new rules protecting wetlands on Thursday without making last minute changes that some developers were seeking that could have weakened the rules.

The 7-0 vote was applauded by more than two dozen residents who praised the rewrite of rules for not sacrificing the environment. When commissioners voted last year to revise the rules, many of them feared the changes would weaken the county's Environmental Protection Commission.

"A year ago, we stood here and I expressed doubt that the EPC could stand up to developers," said Marcella O'Steen, a Balm resident. "I was wrong."

The new rules simplify what already exists without sacrificing the quality of protections, EPC officials and most commissioners said.

"The EPC did exactly what they were asked to do," said Commissioner Rose Ferlita. "This has clarity, transparency, and is a more streamlined process."

But the new rules disappointed some developers, like David Campo, who said they didn't address the inefficiencies in the process.

"Adopt the rules or not, there's not a lot of substance here," he said.