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Neighboring resident warns proposed Levy County sand mine could threaten wells and wildlife; county staff to review application
Summary
A Levy County resident told the Alachua County joint board a proposed 100-acre sand mine would dig below the seasonal high-water table and endanger wells and gopher tortoises; county staff said the permit hearing was delayed and they are obtaining the application to evaluate impacts.
A Levy County resident who lives near the Alachua County line urged county officials to scrutinize a proposed sand-mining operation, saying the planned excavation would extend below the seasonal high-water table and could affect nearby wells and wildlife.
Doug Klish (speaker 11) presented maps and photos to the board, identifying gopher tortoise burrows on the property and saying the mine operator intends to excavate to a depth of 52 feet — "20 feet below our seasonal high water table," he said — and expected 80% of truck traffic to enter Alachua County, raising concerns about diesel exhaust, spills and road safety.
"We all share the water," Klish told the board, saying the location lies close to private wells and community water points and that the excavation could open conduits into the aquifer. He said residents in Archer and Bronson have been meeting on the issue and urged county involvement because of cross-boundary effects.
Steve Hostet (speaker 7), the county’s environmental protection director, replied that county staff have been in contact with Levy County, reported that the application hearing originally scheduled for April 22 had been delayed, and said his office is working to obtain the full application package for evaluation.
"We did find out today that the application has been delayed...I'm also in the process of trying to get all the application material," Hostet said.
The board did not vote on the matter at the meeting. Hostet said once staff receive the application materials they will evaluate potential concerns and report back; one board member offered to share contact information to support outreach to affected elected officials in Levy County.
Provenance: Public-comment concerns and supporting materials were presented by Doug Klish (SEG 1500–SEG 1580). County staff status and next steps were described by Steve Hostet (SEG 1753–SEG 1669).
