The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
PAGE 11 - December 10, 2008
Editorial - Opinion - Commentary
Editorial
Yankeetown Mayor’s Report
A Guest Commentary by Mayor Dawn Clary
Letter to the editor:
The first hearing on the Capital Improvements Element (CIE) was held on the 4th.
Re:Tarmac Steamrolled by DEP
The CIE is a planning tool for infrastructure projects and is a part of our Comprehensive Plan.
A scathing 33-page report has been sent to Tarmac America, Inc., regarding the Titan
It covers five years and includes projects that the community wants to build such as roads,
King Road Mine permit application, located immediately north of Inglis, FL by the Florida
water plants etc and how they will be funded. Some new regulations have been passed which
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Bureau of Mine Reclamation (BMR) in the
are much stricter concerning these elements. If you say you are going to do something in this
form of a Request for Additional Information (RAI).
plan then you darn sure better be able to do what you say you are going to do, at least within
The additional information requested, and the further demands that the DEP made
the first 3 years. I personally think this is not a bad idea because it causes municipalities to do
on Tarmac constitute a monumental road-block to their plans. The Withlacoochee Area
far more diligence and sharpen up their pencils a bit more, rather than just making up a wish
Residents, Inc. are heralding this stance taken by the DEP as a huge victory in their battle to
list. Our CIE is very simple. It essentially consists of the new water plant and a drainage
protect these “environmentally sensitive lands” from being permanently desecrated, and
project at Riverside and Hickory. Funding for the drainage project at Riverside and Hickory is
from the negative socio-economic impacts this proposed mine would cause to this area.
not nailed down yet, the Storm Water and Drainage Committee headed up by Councilman
Tarmac’s spokesman, Albert Townsend, told a crowd in Yankeetown when their plans were
Doug Dame has applied for a grant through Southwest Water Management District but it will
first announced, that this area was chosen by his company because, for one reason, there
be some time before we know if we get it. If not, we have sufficient funds in reserve that we
were few people here, with few resources, to protest. How wrong he was! The Withlacoochee
could cover that project if we have to.
Area Residents, Inc. is a tight-band of over 100 local citizens that have been struggling to
Public input at the CIE hearing was varied. Some individuals wanted to include
protect the watershed of the Withlacoochee River Basin for over 25 years. They are bright,
money for a study of our distribution system in the plan. However, a study is not a capital
caring, and energetic individuals that coalesce when there is a threat to their area, and they
improvement, though it may lead to one, and therefore really is not applicable. I would like to
proved it to Tarmac.
mention that we have already done some studies on the distribution system and the results
During the Army Corps of Engineers (ACoE) scoping-hearings, a total of 50 dili-
have been surprising. We have tested for Iron all over the system and found that our distri-
gently researched scientific, economic, and cultural issues, were presented by this commu-
bution system does not have an iron problem. If you have an iron problem in your home, it is
nity of concerned citizens. They did not voice their concerns with histrionics and theatre.
probably the result of your line leading from our main to your house.
They made their presentations with facts and supportive documents only. Their fingerprints
Other questions and discussion at the hearing concerned how the projections of
are abundantly visible throughout the 33-page rebuke that the DEP delivered to Tarmac on
revenue and population were done. The CIE is a five year projection into the future. You make
November 19.
the best assumptions that you can at the time, no one has a crystal ball. The plan has to be
The RAI demands that Tarmac undertake studies that it has neglected or avoided,
redone every year so if your assumptions appear to not be adequately tracking, than you can
studies that would show the horrendous negative impacts that their 100 year activity would
adjust them somewhat. Also remember that just because something is not in the CEI it does
cause to this area. These studies include, but are not limited to: poisoning our aquifer with
not mean that you can't do it. The next hearing on the CIE will be on December the 15th.
sulfates, dewatering our aquifer, destroying our wetlands, and endangering the outdoor-
Did you know that, according to Waste Pro our garbage collectors, during the Holi-
recreation, fishing and aquaculture industries that are, and will be important to this area
day Season, there are 5 million extra tons of garbage generated? This is 25% more garbage
forever. The threat of the mine to our many springs and creeks that feed the Waccasassa Bay
that the rest of the entire year. Four million tons of this comes from gift wrapping and
Preserve and associated estuaries are especially documented.
shopping bags. Good Night and Good Luck, Dawn Marie Clary, Mayor of Yankeetown
Perhaps the most disastrous complication explained by the DEP is the cumulative
Homeless Man Arrested for Trespassing
negative impact on the aquifer, caused if both the proposed Progress Energy nuclear plant
and the mine are both permitted. They are virtually across the street from each other.
A homeless Hernando man, 44-year-old Greg A. Vogtli, was arrested by the Citrus
Analogies were drawn between our area and the Peace River in SW Florida, where
County Sheriff's Office, around 6:00 p.m., Dec. 7, on a charge of trespass after warning. The
mining devastated a previously verdant area. Water is infinitely more important to our lives
report stated that the officer was patrolling the Withlacoochee Trail, about two miles north of
than rocks.
Edward Michaels, Director, Withlacoochee Area Residents, Inc.
C.R. 486 in Hernando, when he found Mr. Vogtli standing on the trail.
Herbicide treatments on Lk. Rousseau for Dec.
The officer reported that he had trespassed Vogtli from the Withlacoochee State Trail
on August 29th, "for repeated unlawful activity," and that Mr. Vogtli had been arrested on a
During Dec. 1-19, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will conduct
charge on trespass after warning on Sept. 9th. The trespass warning was confirmed through
aquatic weed control Operations in Lake Rousseau using E.P.A. approved herbicides. The
Citrus County Teletype. Vogtli was transported to the Citrus County Detention Facility in
agency will conduct a sweep of the lake for water lettuce and water hyacinth with the herbi-
Lecanto. His bond was set at $500.
cide, Reward, and maintain boat trails with the herbicides Glyphosate and Aquathol Super K.
Read The Newscaster online
People using treated areas of Lake Rousseau for domestic purposes or for irrigation are
cautioned that treated water should not be used for a
log on to: newscasterarchives.com
period of 5 days in Reward treated areas, and 7 days in Aquathol
Super K treated areas. No livestock watering for 1 day in Reward treated areas. Water shall not
be used for drinking (does not apply to tap water) for 3 days in Reward treated areas. There are
no restrictions in Glyphosate treated areas.
Signs displaying treatment dates and restrictions will be posted in treated areas. Sched-
uled treatments may be delayed due to adverse environmental conditions. The management
and treatment of nuisance exotic vegetation is necessary to maintain recreational activities
20 Hwy. 40 East
Plaza 40 Shopping Center
Inglis
•
•
and protect native plant habitat in Florida waters.
447-5015
447-5015
Toys For Tots Benefit
We Accept Cash
Credit & Debit
Bubba's 1st Annual Marine Corps Toys for Tots Bike Run will be Sunday December
Cards
14th and will Meet at Gobblers Eatery Hwy 19 in Inglis @ 9AM for Breakfast Special. The Run
SPECIAL: Buy one 12-inch SUB at Regular Price & get second
begins at 11AM and ends at Bubba's Fin & Feather on Lake Rousseau off 40 Hwy. BBQ,
12-inch SUB of equal or lesser value for only $1.99 through
Tattoos by Jolly Roger, Entertainment, Ride in Specials, Vendors. Bar-B-Que to be provided
December 31, 2008 ----WITH THIS COUPON!----
by Gobblers Eatery,Cutler Spur Band will begin playing around 2:00 PM.
HOURS: Monday-Saturday • 10 am-8 pm (Closed Sunday)
Toy drop off locations:Mouse Trap, VFW, Amvets, Rivals & Big Oaks.Free tent
Subs • Fresh-to-Order Pizza • Deli Meats & Cheese • Desserts • Sides
Subs
camping. For more info call 447-2755 or see Dixie Biker Events
The Newscaster by Mail
Shannon Adams,Realtor
NAPA Auto &
Truck Parts
Yes! I want to receive The Newscaster by mail. A one year
Office 352-794-0888
subscription is $18.25 in Florida and $21.25 out of State.Mail
Toll-Free 1-888-664-1951
your check or credit card # with this form.
Inglis
Cell 352-220-9209 -Home 352-447-1009
Name_________________Add__________________
(352) 447-6000
Hours:
730 N. Suncoast Blvd., Crystal River
Mon-
FAX: 352-795-0282
City_______________St.___Zip_____Date_________
Fax: 352-447-6099
Friday
WEBSITE: www.ExitRealtyLeaders.com
7:30-5:30
Hydraulic Hoses Our Specialty
E-MAIL: shannondadams@comcast.net
Signature__________________
Newscaster Publishing
Saturday
Hydraulic Hoses up to 2"- 6 Wire
See page 2
Each Office is Independently Owned & Operated
8-12