It's a war of words between the Bay County Airport Authority and Phoenix Construction President James Finch.

On January 26th, Airport Director Randy Curtis sent this letter to Finch
regarding the on-going storm water runoff problems at the new airport site.

"There are issues with stabilization of the site, over grassing, and sodding issues," Curtis said.

Curtis says all of these issues have led to some hefty fines by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

A few days later, Curtis received this letter from Finch, which claims the site stabilization plan is incorrect.

Finch also says the Airport Authority has failed to pay him in a timely fashion.
Finch declined to comment, but claims all of these problems had a negative financial impact on his company and is limiting his ability to plan the work.

The dispute in now going to third party mediation, and could wind-up in court.

We've also learned the Florida DEP issued a $55,000 fine after heavy rain last month created a breach in south end of the airport site's storm water run-off system.

That breach caused dirt, silt and other debris to contaminate Burnt Mill Creek. The DEP has also granted construction crews permission to increase turbidity levels for two-areas at the site, which could speed up the drainage from the storm water retention ponds.

"Because the water is still sitting on top of us. We've got to get it off of us so we can find the ponds," Jeff Dealy, KBR's Program manager.

Airport board members have yet to sign off on that DEP consent order, saying they need more time to clarify some of the numbers.

The board will meet again this Friday to address this latest consent order from the DEP,which includes the fines.

Construction crews say the storm-water drainage system should be in-place in-time for the airport's opening in May.