by Martin Proctor
The Central Florida Sand Mining Association of Central Florida has withdrawn its request for a comprehensive plan change and rezoning. The withdrawal of the request was reported by Lake County District 1 Commissioner Doug Shields.
At the February 23, 2021 Board of County Commissioners (BCC) meeting an attempt to amend Comprehensive Plan Policy I-4.2.1 to exempt sand mining operations from adhering to open space requirements was heard. After 2 hours of discussion and public input, the Commission voted 3-2 to continue the item to the July 13 BCC meeting. Ms.Tracey Mouncey Executive Director of the Central Florida Sand Mining Association had requested rezoning case #CP-19-06 Sand Mining Open Space Requirement. Tim McClendon, Lake County Director of Planning and Zoning explained that the amendment proposed to exempt sand mining operations in the Green Swamp from open space requirements during active sand mining operations.
Between that meeting and currently, several south Lake County cities had joined the Lake County Water Authority (LCWA) in creating resolutions in opposing any comprehensive plan or land-use changes that would authorize additional mining within the Green Swamp Area of Critical State Concern.
These resolutions were all passed unanimously. The LCWA resolution states: “Maintenance of the ecological function of our lakes and their natural vegetative communities is critical to the protection of Lake County’s vital water resources, upon which much of our quality of life, recreational opportunity, economic vitality, wildlife habitat, and natural beauty depend.” The LCWA Board of Trustees added, “concern because of cumulative impacts to wetlands and creeks that provide water to the Clermont Chain of Lakes and the Palatlakaha River.”
So one battle in the war to save the Green Swamp has been won. The companies involved in sand mining and their representative association may find new ways to press the issue to exempt sand mining operations from open space requirements. These challenges to the special protections granted to the Green Swamp will certainly continue as they have since their creation.
Many individuals and organizations worked tirelessly to create these protections. Fortunately, the BCC voted to delay and those representing the 110,000+ registered voters in south Lake county were heard. These actions ensured that while these protections remain under pressure that today was not the day that they were compromised.
