Here is the response I just received.
The South Florida Water Management District understands your concerns about the recent court ruling that has temporarily closed the events held by C&R Motor Sports. The District has been working with C & R Motor Sports since 2005 to come into compliance with District rules. C&R Motor Sports was required to obtain a water use permit because they are using water on-site during events. C&R Motor Sports was also required to obtain an environmental resource permit because their events continue to adversely impact wetlands and surface waters and cause water quality violations. C&R Motor Sports has to apply for the necessary permits to conduct activities that impact wetlands and alter surface water flows just like anyone else who wants to conduct activities in wetlands.
In February 2008, the District entered into a Consent Agreement with C&R Motor Sports and the landowner because the mud-bogging operations continued to adversely affect wetlands and surface waters and cause water quality violations. C & R Motor Sports and the landowner agreed to obtain the required permits within 180 days. C&R Motor Sports and the landowner agreed that if the permits were not obtained within 180 days, they would immediately restore the site to pre-violation conditions. During that 180 day time frame, C&R Motor Sports continued to conduct events in wetlands and surface waters and continued to cause water quality violations in the wetlands. C&R Motor Sports and the landowner did not obtain the required permits within the 180-day timeframe that they agreed to.
As a result of C & R Motor Sports’ actions, a judge ordered C&R Motor Sports’ to immediately stop holding events until a trial can be held in this matter. A trial date has not yet been scheduled.
Missie Barletto
Lead Intergovernmental Representative
Okeechobee Service Center
South Florida Water Management District
(863) 462-5260, ext. 3006
(863) 634-0774, cellular
(863) 462-5269, fax
www.sfwmd.gov
