FEBRUARY 2015 – The CEMEX mine expansion will be returning to the county commission’s agenda. The relevant state agencies have performed their analysis of the amendment to the master plan and it does not appear that there are any major issues.
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity has “…identified no comment related to important state resources and facilities within the Departments authorized scope of review that will be adversely impacted by the amendment if adopted.” They recommend to resolve any comments by other reviewing agencies because they could potentially “form the basis for a challenge to the amendment after adoption.” They indicate that the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) must adopt the amendment prior to July 19, 2015 or the application will be deemed withdrawn.
A detailed review by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Intergovernmental Programs found “no provision that, if adopted would result in adverse impacts to important state resources subject to the Department’s jurisdiction.” They focused on impacts relating to air and water pollution, wetlands and other surface waters, federal and state owned lands, solid waste and wastewater treatment.
The Southwest Florida Water Management District provided technical assistance for consideration pertaining to
- Dewatering activities requiring District Water Use Permit
- Existing wells on site
- A need for a Environmental Resource Permit through the FDEP because 5 of the isolated wetlands and 4 other surface waters on the site.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) did not have any objections to the proposed amendment but also provided technical assistance and recommendations on the following matters:
- The completion of additional listed species- specific surveys prior to any clearing or development
- Referral to the FWC’s gopher tortoise permitting guidelines that includes surveying methods prior to construction
- Review the USFW’s Wood Stork Effect Determination Key and coordinate with the USFWS North Florida Ecological Services Office for information regarding the impact to wood storks, red cockaded woodpecker, Florida scrub jay, eastern indigo snake, gopher tortoise, florida mouse, gopher frog, Sherman’s fox squirrel, Little blue heron, and Southeastern American kestrel.
- Bald Eagle nest documented 2900 feet NE of project site
- Black Bear reports within 9 mile radius of project site
The Florida Department of Transportation, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and Florida Department of Education had no comments on the proposed comprehensive plan amendment. The Florida Department of State agrees with the recommendation of a 250 ft buffer in mining areas next to the historic Spring Hill cemetery and a cultural resource assessment survey of the project area.
It appears that the review of the amendment of the master plan by the state agencies did not turn up any major issues. This means that the CEMEX mine expansion will return to the commission. Ron Pianta will be reaching out to Bruce Day of the Withlacoochee Regional Planning Council about conducting an economic impact study. If it is determined that an economic impact study through Withlacoochee Regional Planning Council is feasible given time constraints as well as scope of project, it will be placed on the next agenda.