09/03/2026
HIDDEN REPORT EXPOSES MAJOR POLLUTION & LEGAL RISKS ON $60M BERT RAILROAD CORRIDOR 👉 https://usataxfighters.org/bert-phase-1-hidden-report/
A 2,401-page Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) delivered to local officials on July 21, 2026, was kept hidden from the public until the Lee County Taxpayers Association forced its release through public records demands.
Why was this report suppressed until after the August 18 tax vote? Because it reveals massive environmental and financial liabilities taxpayers are being asked to absorb:
❌ ZERO Physical Testing: S&S Environmental Consultants completed a paper-only study—pulling ZERO soil, ballast, or groundwater samples across all 11.4 miles. ❌ Recorded Deed Bans Trail Use: Recorded 2018/2019 quitclaim deeds explicitly BAN all recreational trail, public park, hiking, biking, and groundwater use on this property. ❌ Skipped High-Risk Sidetracks: The report completely bypassed individual historical reviews of key industrial sidetracks in Bonita Springs and Collier County (Immokalee Tomato Growers, NT Gargiulo, and Krehling Industries) where agricultural chemicals, fertilizers, and fuel were handled for a century. ❌ 74x Tax-Roll Price Markup: Local governments agreed to spend $60 MILLION for land assessed on the tax rolls at just $813,055. ❌ 30-Day "AS-IS" Liability Trap: Municipalities have only 30 days following a railroad-run Phase 2 inspection to walk away or accept full responsibility for all future cleanup costs.
We are demanding an immediate administrative hold on closing and requiring FDEP and county pollution-control staff to monitor all testing.
Read the full 2,401-page hidden report, executive summary, and sidetrack maps here:
👉 https://usataxfighters.org/bert-phase-1-hidden-report/
