In March, Susan Goebel-Canning, Director of Environmental Services, was authorized by the BOCC to send letters to Pasco County BOCC, Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFMWD), and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to express both the county’s and citizens’ concerns about Seven Diamonds, LLC petition to mine both sand and limestone at a Pasco County site. By exposing the aquifer, there is a potential for contaminants to enter the water.
Pasco County BOCC and SWFMWD responded. Pasco County stated they appreciated hearing of Hernando County’s concerns regarding water quality and the Weeki Wachee springshed. The letter noted they would keep Hernando County updated on future public meetings. SWFMWD’s letter stated that FDEP advised them that Seven Diamonds, LLC has requested “an informal wetland determination” as part of its application for an environmental resource permit (ERP) for the sand and limestone mine. As FDEP will process both the application and the wetland determination, the petition to SWFMWD has been closed.