Bishop and Bay County have jointly applied for a permit to build underground drainage pipes on the property. Bishop also wants to refill the sand he took out and build a house. Bishop has already granted an easement for the county to bury three drainage pipes - at taxpayers expense. County officials say the drainage system will ease flooding that is still a problem during heavy rainfall. Plus, they say, there is little wetland left to preserve.
Some neighbors favor the drainage system.
Others say the drain pipes won't work. But almost everyone fears that if Bishop fills the property again, flooding will return. Doris Holmquist says. The fate of the property now lies in the hands of the Army Corps of Engineers in Jacksonville. They also say the wetland should be left alone.