Humans have long been gatherers, collecting plants for medicinal, nutritional and aesthetic purposes. Fortunately, Florida residents have moved past the need for daily foraging in wetlands and wild lands for plants to meet their needs. Unfortunately, despite progress, illegal plant harvesting is a profitable enterprise.

Profit was evidently on the minds of the Bates brothers when agents from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) observed Bates’ employees removing duck potato, water lilies and other plants from public and private waterways – including a water conservation area in Indian River County.

DEP agents began investigating the Bates brothers after receiving a tip from the Indian River Sheriff’s Office about suspicious aquatic plant harvesting. Investigations confirmed that Bates illegally harvested aquatic plants and sold them to area governments, developers and private homeowners.

DEP’s Division of Law Enforcement special agents arrested Chad and Keith Bates for illegally harvesting thousands of aquatic plants in Okeechobee, St. Lucie and Indian River counties. To ensure the continued survival of Florida’s native plants, DEP requires special permits for harvesting native plants. Permits detail specific areas for plant harvesting and specific types of plants suitable for harvesting.

Plants are protected for numerous reasons. Some may be rare or endangered--indigenous only to a specific area and in danger of extinction. Some may be vital to the survival of a particular ecosystem. Many aquatic plants, such as those being harvested by the Bates brothers, help stabilize lake and canal beds, provide food for fish, act as a nursery for juvenile fish, and help improve water quality by filtering sediments and nutrients from the water. Additionally, some rare plants must be left in their native ecosystem in order to survive and reproduce.

Keith Bates, with no permit, and evidently, with no regard for the importance of protecting our native species, was charged with one count of grand theft, a third degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine, and one count permit violations, a second degree misdemeanor punishable by up 60 days in jail and a $500 fine. His brother, Chad Bates, was also charged with grand theft, one count of petit theft, a first-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine, and two counts of permit violations.

Enforcing Florida’s environmental laws is an important part of DEP’s mission. Environmental crimes, like the illegal harvesting of aquatic plants, can potentially harm our natural resources and our quality of life.

If you see someone you think may be collecting plants illegally on public or private land, do not approach them. Contact your local law enforcement agency. Give a description of the person and the vehicle, the license number and the date and time you noticed potentially illegal activity.

If you’re looking to add native Florida plants to your landscape, dozens of reputable nurseries throughout the state provide a variety of species that will allow you to bring home the beauty of Florida’s native blooms without endangering the environment.