SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – A distressing scene unfolded at a construction site in Seminole County, where a drained pond revealed hundreds of dead fish and several turtles. This discovery has alarmed local residents, who are now expressing concerns about potential environmental repercussions and the unpleasant odors emanating from the site.

Residents in the vicinity raised the alarm after noticing a noxious smell and spotting a large number of deceased fish in a pond situated near the intersection of State Road 46 and Harvest Time Drive. The pond is located on land that has been earmarked for development.

Julia Nikulina, a concerned passerby, shared her experience after driving by the area on New Year’s Day. “I saw vultures circling the site,” she recounted. “The stench was overpowering, absolutely terrible.”

What Nikulina discovered left her taken aback.

“It was heartbreaking and shocking to see such devastation right in a populated area, with no apparent efforts to intervene or address the situation,” she lamented.

Nearby residents contend that the foul smell from the decomposing fish has become increasingly unbearable.

“I’m speechless. No words for that one,” said Sergio Wilcox, who lives in the area.

Seminole County officials confirmed the pond was drained as part of an approved construction permit. According to the county, the water from the pond drains into the stormwater system and ultimately flows into the St. Johns River.

The county provided News 6 with a copy of the approved permit for the project, which includes dewatering the pond. A study referenced in the permit describes the pond as having “low ecological quality.” County officials said the developers also received approval from the St. Johns River Water Management District.

Seminole County also said the fish likely died due to a combination of low water levels and cold weather conditions last week. The county added it had “considerable coordination with the owner and contractor about the dewatering.”

The approved plans show the property is slated for the construction of an auto collision center. County officials said the developer also plans to construct another pond elsewhere on the property.

Despite the approvals, Nikulina said she and others in the area remain opposed to draining the pond, saying it once supported wildlife.

“There used to be so much vegetation,” she said. “Ducks used to come and go, all different birds, and one day the vegetation was gone.”

News 6 reached out to the project applicant for comment but have not received a response as of publication.