History PIE vs. EU: The Central Sewer Issue

Once again, today, we find ourselves at a critical juncture. Environmental Utilities has filed a new application with the Florida Public Service Commission, seeking another opportunity to impose a central sewer system on our community. With your support, we can rally together and prevent the certification of the service area that includes Palm Island. Join us in our ongoing fight to protect our island’s integrity and ensure that our wastewater management remains in the hands of the people who know and love it best.

It all began in 2002

Brief History of Sewer

Brief History of Sewer: It all began in 2002

A brief history lesson: It all began back in 2002. Jack Boyer, along with the late Dean Beckstead (operator of Palm Island Resort’s wastewater utility) and his brother Gar Beckstead proposed a central sewer system for the island. PIE established opposition to the application by signing on as an intervenor. But the case never went to an Administrative Hearing. When asked to present their personal financials to support the application, the principals of the utility company withdrew.

Fast forward to 2020

Jack Boyer applied on his own with his LLC, “Environmental Utilities”.

Fast forward to 2020. – Jack Boyer applied on his own with his LLC, “Environmental Utilities”.

His application for certification of the service area inclusive of our Islands was met with over 1,000 emails from people who were opposed. More than 100 people went to the Administrative Hearing and 50 Islanders spoke against it.

in 2020

“The Public Service Commission denied the application.”

The PIE Action Committee organized the opposition and launched fundraising efforts, and “the Public Service Commission denied the application.”

In 2020, EU presented no letters of request for sewer service and only a smattering of support letters. He provided no evidence that septic was polluting our waterways or damaging our environment.

in 2020

No evidence of public health or safety issues from using on-site septic systems were presented or found.

No evidence of public health or safety issues from using on-site septic systems were presented or found.

The Charlotte County Board of Commissioners did award Jack with a bulk water agreement to process wastewater once it was piped off the Island.

in 2020

In 2020, the cost to fight this was around $120,000.00.

In 2020, the cost to fight this was around $120,000.00.

It was estimated that EU spent over $200,000.00 in combined engineering, legal and application fees.

in 2025

Now in 2025, we will fight it again.

In 2025, we will fight it again.

EU has filed a new application with the Florida Public Service Commission to have another bite at the apple. With your help, we can prevent the certification of the service area which includes our Island.

Contact us at:
pie@palmislandestates.org

Palm Island Estates Association, Inc. is a voluntary, non-profit civic association of property owners on Knight Island, Palm Island, Don Pedro Island and Thornton Key. It was originally incorporated in 1980 “for the preservation of the natural environment and ecology of Knight and Don Pedro Islands.”

Today, its mission is to promote cooperation among all property owners, to offer a representative voice in civic and community affairs and to provide assistance and improvement to the islands.

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