ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS
Another day, another lime-rock mine
On Sept. 16, Lee County Commissioners approved unanimously an application by representatives for Bell Mine, presently a dirt mine on S.R. 82, to become a lime rock mine with blasting and much deeper mining. They voted to approve DESPITE their own county staff recommending that the application be denied and DESPITE prior decisions by the…
Support sags for ‘roads to ruin’
If, as this article indicates, enthusiasm for the three proposed toll roads is nonexistent (or limited to a handful of lawmakers and lobbyists), why is this expensive boondoggle still being discussed? Published in the News-Press on August 28, 2020 Business support for toll roads lags as opponents still fight them Chad Gillis The state is…
Keeping tabs on the river
While this article indicates the Caloosahatchee is holding its own against algae, you can find out more about the South Florida Water Management District’s plans for Lake O at the following online meetings: Online Public Meetings As part of its response to COVID-19, SFWMD will be holding public meetings online only using Zoom. You will…
The road(s) to ruin, continued…
Rural sprawl, the “Airglades International Airport,” and possibly two toll roads running through Southwest Florida’s dwindling open lands? A lot to unpack from this “Naples Daily News” update and interview. Published in the Naples Daily News on August 3, 2020 In the Know: The intersection with the pandemic, a $1 billion loss in one month…
Another brick in the wall…
This Monday’s LPA hearing continues the DR/GR’s death by a thousand cuts. Hearing on Monday, July 27 The county’s Local Planning Agency on Monday will consider yet another request to develop yet another tract of land in the Density Reduction/Groundwater Resource (DR/GR) area of Southeast Lee County. This time, it’s a group of amendments to…
State backs board on mining ruling
An administrative hearing backs county commission’s vote to open up more DR/GR land to limerock mining, further weakening protections to environmentally sensitive lands. Originally published by Bill Smith in the News-Press on June 30, 2020 An effort to overturn a key part of Lee County’s approval of limerock mining at the Troyer Brothers potato farm off State…
From the Sierra Club: The fight to stop M-CORES continues unabated
Florida DOT begins another round of webinars this week. The Sierra Club is not encouraging participation. Originally published The Sierra Club on June 19th, 2020 FDOT begins another round of webinars next week. We are not encouraging participation. FDOT continues to forge ahead when true public participation is impossible in their virtual setting. Inclined to attend anyway? https://floridamcores.com/calendar-of-events/ has the details. If you attend, here are some suggestions for…
Turning the Toxic Tide
The issue of failing septic systems and proper wastewater treatment is chronic to many parts of Florida (including Southwest Florida), as this multi-part opinion piece details. Originally published by USA TODAY on March 27, 2019 Florida must address the problem of human waste 870,000 gallons of sewage spills into Indian River Lagoon in Titusville Florida…
Don’t sacrifice ecology to boost economy
SCCF (Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation) and Conservancy of Southwest Florida leaders make the case that “going backwards is not an attractive option. Protecting nature is protecting our economy, our quality of life, and our health.” OpEd Originally published by Gannet Newspapers on May 10, 2020 Ryan Orgera and Rob Moher Guest Opinion As we restart our…
Toll Road Webinar Important Chance to Stop the Roads to Ruin
LeeFuture encourages residents to show up and speak out against the Toll Roads to Ruin during Tuesday’s webinar by the task force making decisions. You must register by 5 today to be able to voice your opposition on Tuesday. Originally published by Progress Florida Public pressure is mounting against the multi-billion dollar rural toll roads…