ATV Florida Forum

Rock mines proposed for western Palm Beach County
By Andy Reid | South Florida Sun-Sentinel
April 23, 2008

Dikes and drainage canals long ago sacrificed vast expanses of the Everglades to make way for sugar cane south of Lake Okeechobee.

Now, new plans to turn more sugar cane fields into rock mines could sacrifice efforts to restore the northern reaches of the Everglades.

On Thursday, after almost two years of debate and delays, Palm Beach County commissioners decide whether to allow decades of digging on thousands of acres in the Everglades Agricultural Area. Plans for two new mines and one expanded mine go before the commission for zoning approvals.

Mining backers say they meet the county's requirements and can blast and dig without threatening underground water supplies. They contend that once mining stops, the pits can become water storage areas that will help Everglades restoration.


But the vote Thursday comes months before the Army Corps of Engineers plans to unveil the next phase in the blueprint for reservoirs and water treatment areas in the multibillion-dollar effort to revive the River of Grass. Those plans might not be ready until 2009, according to the Corps.

"Everybody's top priority is restoring the Everglades," said County Commissioner Karen Marcus, who has called for more mining safeguards. "Saying it and doing it are two different things."

Mining companies are looking for new areas to harvest materials needed for construction, and sugar cane growers are exploring ways to diversify their operations. As a result, more mining proposals have surfaced in the Everglades Agricultural Area — 700,000 acres of farmland that stretches between Lake Okeechobee and the remaining Everglades.

In May 2006, county commissioners approved Stewart Mining Industries' 4,000-acre mine, east of U.S. 98 and three miles north of U.S. 441. However, environmental concerns raised about the project led the commission to call for a temporary moratorium on new rock mines to learn more about potential problems.

Environmentalists warn that mining can contaminate underground water supplies, in addition to tying up land needed for Everglades restoration.

Mining companies have succeeded in challenging the county's attempted ban and on Thursday three mining proposals go before the commission.

Lake Harbor Quarry would include 7,351 acres 4 miles south of Lake Okeechobee and 3 miles west of U.S. 27.

South Bay Quarry would cover 3,773 acres 10 miles south of Belle Glade, on the east side of State Road 827.

The Bergeron mine proposes expanding to 553 acres on the west side of U.S. 27, about 7 miles south of County Road 827.

The commission meets at 9:30 a.m. Thursday at the county governmental center in West Palm Beach.

The water at Lake Harbor Quarry will be "drinking water quality" and the mine will become a reservoir that provides an irrigation alternative to Lake Okeechobee for surrounding sugar cane fields, said Alan Ciklin, an attorney representing Lake Harbor Quarry, proposed by Florida Rock Industries.

"All of the mines will be monitored for all significant environmental or geological issues for their lifetimes," Ciklin said.

But county commissioners still don't have the answers to whether mining harms the environment and interferes with Everglades restoration, said Lisa Interlandi, an attorney for the Everglades Law Center.

"Because of those reasons the county commission absolutely needs to deny them," Interlandi said. "The county needs to be the keeper and responsible for protecting the environment and the water supply."

The water at Lake Harbor Quarry will be "drinking water quality" and the mine will become a reservoir that provides an irrigation alternative to Lake Okeechobee for surrounding sugar cane fields, said Alan Ciklin, an attorney representing Lake Harbor Quarry, proposed by Florida Rock Industries.


yea right!  with all the chemical coming from the sugar fields

quit blaming the farmers as if they are the only ones.  :(   Have you ever thought about how many chemicals come off of the golf courses or Joe the homeowner that figures if five pounds of fertilizer works to green up his yard that 10 pounds will do wonders.

it's always about who has the money

I tried that last Summer and killed about $2500.00 worth of Sod >:(

I think the big issue here is the fact that they may get their rock mine but we cant get the riding area that has been promised.   :-\

Whats wrong with that?  ;)

Being a Rock miner since 1995 and an ATV rider since 1978 I can honestly see both sides of the spectrum.
I honestly believe that there is enough land for both a needed industry and also for the recreational user.
I will say this about the pollution and such.If you ever get a chance to ride in a quarry you will see clean lakes
and usualy an all around clean enviroment.We as an Industry put  alot of money back into the enviroment as well as our nieghboring communities.Take a ride to the hump or 8th street and look at all the garbage that the majority of the riders leave there.Alot of
people love to talk enviriment But are also quick to throw  there garbage on the ground.
I just realy hope we can get some closure on this whole mining water pollution issue soon.
Im not here to saopbox or flame just chiming in from the otherside is all.

I just flew in from Dallas we come across the west coast of fla we flew just south of the Holeylands you could see all the scars on the land from the tracks.The goverment has no reguard for the land big sugar = BIG money screw the people the F.W.C. IS MISMANAGED this state sucks ,man has destroyed the glades.now they want to try to fix it at the tax payers expence what a crock of sh*t

"The Bergeron mine proposes expanding to 553 acres on the west side of U.S. 27, about 7 miles south of County Road 827."

Thats almost a whole section (1mile x 1mile) that he's trying mine.
How ironic, Ron Bergeron who on one hand plays the role of Everglades activist for politicians and others, wants to mine the glades.
And when that section is gone , then what ...... mine ,Loxatchee ,area2  area 3 , Rotenberg, Holey Land , The Cypress ? The question is ,what is "the boundary" ,or better yet is there one? Or will it just get moved as needed?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSLzONk6w0A


Rudy Giuliani visits the Florida Everglades with Ron Bergeron
Campaign 2008 brings Rudy Giuliani to the Everglades...Rudy and Giuliani Everglades Miami Herald


I have no problem with "mining", as long as its not portrayed as an environmentaly sensitive industry . Yes its regulated but the end result is the same , the land is gone forever.  No arguments there .
 It is what is and its mining ,just as bad a urban sprawl IMO and very critical to our economy .

Everglades resoration and rock mines have nothing in common , thats why restoration is a scam .Wetlands protection ,another joke .
Over 1/2 the original glades are cover by rock, asphalt and concrete.

Yet , the greater irony is our 4 wheelers are destroying the habitat , go figure. ::)

Amen brother..  :Clap.gif