"Ghosts of Gas Stations Past Haunt Roadsides"

"Abandoned gasoline stations, some with weeds poking through the pavement, dot some prominent spots in Lee County. ... It's not just the rocky economy, but also other market changes and an environmental regulation causing some stations to close -- and stay closed."

Many smaller independent gas station operators will not be able to pay for legally required upgrades of old -- and often leaky -- underground storage tanks, which threaten the groundwater Florida relies on for about 92 percent of its drinking needs.

Laura Ruane reports for the Fort Myers News-Press June 14, 2009.