SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - A North Port landowner has been fined more than $150,000 by the city due to unlawfully cutting down trees and disturbing gopher tortoise burrows.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, gopher tortoises are regionally threatened and protected by the state.

The property is roughly 11 acres with plans to develop it into residential homes and apartment complexes.

ABC7 called the owner of the land for comment but he did not respond.

The city said they just want the rules to be followed.

“We went to the site and noticed a party had conducted unauthorized clearing,” said Stefan Kalev, natural resources manager for the city of North Port

“That means work with heavy equipment had been on site that likely impacted many trees on that property

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