Stop the Sand Mine

The Issue

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Stop the Sand Mine from being approved by our Citrus County BOCC

 

The Sand Mine application in Citrus County, Florida, is threatening the peace and safety of the Pine Ridge equestrian community, Crystal River and the surrounding area. Research shows the proximity of the proposed sand mine to our equestrian neighborhood, farms, businesses, schools, stables, and barns means the people, horses and our pets will all be exposed to serious health, safety, environmental impact, community and economic threats.

 

“Dust” is a major concern. Open sand pit mining is made to sound less concerning in this application for a Land Development/Comprehensive Plan code change, however it has significant environmental and operational concerns, particularly in dry, windy conditions without nearby water for natural suppression. The applicant states, “Water usage rate will not vary due to the amendment.” This is highly alarming, as the dust from only just haul roads only is a particularly prominent concern and this will be uncontrolled.”  Very small dust/silica particles <100 microns may account for a much higher potential toxicity when silica is produced, stored and transported. Silica <100 microns can be easily mixed into the air via light air currents. Several studies have shown, this silica induces oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis, which can lead to inflammation and fibrosis. This particular study review summarized the health  hazards and toxic mechanisms associated with respiratory dust of different particle sizes, airborne dust particles originated from sand quarries…”  and concluded silica due to its low density, this would result in a significant increase in exposure for the general population. 

 

Another study researching size and characteristics of the airborne particles from open mines found distribution of particles at different heights and distances. Eighty percent of the airborne particles were respirable at <10 microns and easily transferred through the atmosphere. These 10 micron size particles (silica/dust/ultra-fine particles can penetrate lungs as deep as the pulmonary alveolar and the mechanical processes in mining activity can increase the production of fine and ultra-fine particles by 72%. Several other Studies have shown that the inhalation of respirable silica is proven to cause many adverse health effects such as asbestosis, silicosis and coal pneumoconiosis (black lung disease).

 

The primary sources of air pollution will include excavation, loading, transportation and processing of the sand. Equipment like excavators, loaders, hauling trucks or conveyors will be used and the application mentions processing so screening/crushing equipment may also be used. The applicant states, “ No effect on traffic circulation since processing will be contained within the existing site.” While traffic may not be a concern wheel generated dust from haul roads within the mine is one of the biggest sources of fine and ultra-fine dust particles contributing about 40% of total emissions. It is the physical processes in a mine such as truck movement on dirt roads, vibration, sieving, crushing and powerful local wind streams that can separate and re-suspend the fine and ultra-fine particles in the air. 

 

Sand and debris would circulate through our community's air without pause. These dust particles pose serious health risks to both humans and animals. Respiratory dust causes diverse health effects when entering the human body, making acute or chronic damage through multiple systems and organs. These small particles can travel long distances, staying suspended in the atmosphere for days or even weeks. They are odorless, colorless, non-irritating, meaning you will not know you have inhaled the particles deep into your lung. It does not make sense to purposefully and intentionally place a sand mine next to an equestrian based community based on evidence of the many high risks associated with a sand mine. 

 

In Florida, where water resources are critical, sand mining can contaminate aquifers and springs, impacting drinking water quality and agricultural irrigation. The shallow water table here in Citrus County increases the risk of altering local hydrology. Crystal River(CR) is part of the Springs Coast Watershed and Crystal River/Kings Bay spring group is listed as one of the major five springs. Our local CR Springs were named Outstanding by Florida Legislature and is a designated priority water body! The applicant states “ground water quality will not be impacted by mining operations” How does Citrus County verify this as true? What testing was done, where are those reports, who did this testing if any was done? Has due diligence been done by Citrus County to ensure the safety of one of our greatest resources in the area?

 

The case of the 3RT Sand Mine in neighboring Levy County, as discussed by the WWALS Watershed Coalition, illustrates these risks. The mine’s location in the Rainbow Springs spring shed raised concerns about its impact on water flow and quality, with the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) criticized for inadequate consideration in its Environmental Resource Permit (ERP) (Sand Mining). Similar concerns apply to Citrus County, where mining could threaten local water bodies and exacerbate existing environmental stresses. The Levy County sand mine is not currently open because a judge stopped the mine from operating citing the Levy County Commissioners’ failure to follow proper procedures. We have high expectations our Citrus County board will do their do diligence to protect, promote, improve, public health and safety, while protecting landowners from the adverse impacts of an adjoining development, protecting the character/stability of our residential area and our natural and valuable resources as stated directly as the primary purpose of the Land Developments Code of the Comprehensive Plan. 

 

Crystal River and the broader Springs Coast watershed are Karst sensitive. Karst is the dominant landscape throughout the Crystal River area and it is directly connected to the Floridan Aquifer. This makes the aquifer very vulnerable to surface activities like development, agriculture and pollution. These activities can lead to rapid infiltration of contaminants into the aquifer, impacting water quality and the health of the springs here in Crystal River. Karst features dominate the Crystal River area. Springs, underground drainage systems and sinkholes extend throughout the Crystal River area, including the area of the proposed sand mine. (See Maps) The SWFWMD does not appear to be paying the attention needed to our aquifer as reported and acted on by the judge in Levy County. If the applicant is planning on watering to control the hazardous dust, this would be an enormous drain on our Aquifer. Orlando residents opposed a sand mine in their area because sand mines owned by three companies were permitted to pump 48 million gallons a day. Please let's hope the Citrus County Board looks more closely at this. It is the water and our beautiful Springs that drive the economy in this area.

 

The world of environmental protection is confusing and extensive. Enforcement of these regulatory frameworks, can be can be weak and challenging. In Citrus County, ensuring compliance with these regulations would be critical, but the proximity to residential area increases the stakes, making it difficult to guarantee resident safety and environmental protection. In one study the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health(NIOSH) found that exposure to airborne silica exceeded its occupational health criteria at every one of 11 fracking sites it rested, in some cases by a factor of ten or more. While this was a workplace exposure it shows how uncontrollable the respirable crystalline silica is.

 

It is alarming to think that our Citrus County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) are being asked to consider the approval of this sand mine application. We hope we can provide some awareness to the board of the significant health, safety, and environmental risks. We urge the Citrus County Board to reject the proposed land development code change. Our county deserves better. We need the BOCC board to focus on maintaining the integrity and rural beauty of Citrus County, rather than yielding to industrial interests that can irrevocably harm our cherished neighborhoods and equestrian environment. The potential for long-term damage to residential areas, coupled with the challenges of regulatory enforcement, outweighs any short-term economic benefits. Preserving agricultural land and protecting resident well-being should be prioritized, ensuring a sustainable future for Citrus County.

 

 

 

Key Citations

 

1. 3 innovative dust control measures for open-pit mines

https://news.dustaside.com/3-innovative-dust-control-measures-for-open-pit-mines

 

2. Land Development Code Citrus County General Provisions 1300

https://www.citrusbocc.com/departments/growth_management/land_development_division/land_development_code/index.php

 

3. Airborne dust particles originated from sand and gravel quarries: Mineralogical, geochemical, and size distribution constraints on their potential health impacts July 2023

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/372385322_Airborne_dust_particles_originated_from_sand_and_gravel_quarries_Mineralogical_geochemical_and_size_distribution_constraints_on_their_potential_health_impacts

 

4. Impact of Respiratory Dust on Health: A Comparison Based on the Toxicity of PM2.5, Silica, and Nanosilica

Aoxiang Hu 1, Rou Li 1, Guo Chen 1, Shi Chen 1,*July 2024

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11277548/

 

5. Sinkhole Map

https://www.the-hurds.net/GIS/Florida-Karst-Sinkholes/Counties/Citrus-County-Sinkholes.shtml

 

6. Orlando Sentinel Lake’s biggest water hogs:Sand Mines Lauren Ritchie 6/3/18             sand mines://www.orlandosentinel.com/2017/07/18/lakes-biggest-water-hogs-sand-mines/

 

7. Southwest Florida Water Management District Springs Coast Watershed

https://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/watersheds/springscoast/springs-coast-watershed-overview

 

•  Silica, Crystalline (Respirable) information from OSHA

•  NIOSH Hazard Review on Health Effects of Silica Exposure

•  WWALS Watershed Coalition on Sand Mining Issues

•  Florida Department of Environmental Protection Mining Program

•  The environmental impacts of river sand mining research article

•  Mining health and safety risks article by Mining Review

•  Six Things you Need Know About Sand Mining environmental impact

•  Sand and Sustainability report by UNEP on global sand governance

• Florida’s troubled citrus industry article by WUSF

• County approves special exception for controversial sand mine news

 USGS Floridan Aquifer Supply

•  FDEP 2020 Water Quality Assessment

•  Surface Mining Wikipedia Page

•  Sand Mining Ecological Consequences

•  Velika Morava River Sand Mining Study

•  Florida DEP Mining and Mitigation Program

•  Frac Sand Mining and Metal Contamination

•  Pensacola Aquifer Contamination Study

•  Shallow-Water Mining Sustainability Concerns

•  Green Swamp Sand Mining Impact

•  Citrus County Water Resources Operations

•  Florida Water Shortage Projection 2025