Mining Impacts to the Human and Natural Environments

A compilation of resources and issues

ACTION ITEMS:

Take action- Manatee County Citizen Rally May 29th 

 One citizen's efforts to protect the Little Manatee River basin.

Sent: Monday, May 26, 2008 11:04 PM

Subject: Mosaic strip mining and Altman Tract and public rally

Ms. Vonhahmann

Chairperson of the Board

Madam:

We will be attending the 7:00 P.M. rally against mining at the Manatee Library Thursday, May 29.  While I live in Hillsborough County, I am presently being impacted by strip mining all around my home.  Our BOCC have not heeded our pleas for respite from the mining being conducted in the Four Corners area (Ft. Lonesome) in the extreme southern portion of Hillsborough County.  I pleaded with them to not allow the digging of the upper Manatee River basin.  Since mining south of our property, the Little Manatee River has completely gone dry.  My property is located on the south side of St. Rd. 674 just about a mile and a half west of the intersection of 674 and St. Rd. 39.  My property extends from 674 south to the Little Manatee River.  Mosaic has mined sections 14 and 13 across the river from our land.  In 2003, my grandsons and I crossed the Little Manatee without getting our feet wet.  Digging was going on at that time.  There were large holes of water left with fish in them.  When digging, the ditch and berm method seems to help in the impact on ground water.  When mining is done and reclamation is complete, one really can then see the effects on water.  Now, the river is completely dry and the holes are dry also. 

We have lived here 43+ years and have never seen the holes dry.  We have seen the river get shallow in those years, but never dry completely up nor have we ever seen the "catfish" hole dry....only skeletons of fish left.  Mr. Stevenson of our county planning and growth section was here last week to inspect our portion of the river...and took pictures.  Mosaic will tell you that this is the year of a drought.  They said that 2003 was a severe drought.  Check out the rainfalls for the last five years.  We have been here 43+ years and I know that we have had worse droughts.  Please vote no to save Manatee wetlands.  I am also including a picture of trees we are losing due to the lack of water in the wetlands adjacent to the river....it is a telling picture.

Mr. and Mrs. John Killebrew

PO Box 129

Lithia, Fl 33547

Return to  compilation of resources and issues

This resource focuses on adverse impacts from mining currently not addressed or evaluated by regulatory agencies and municipalities, as well as alternatives to mining and approaches for improved monitoring and evaluation of existing and proposed mine sites and mine-related impacts.  This portal is made possible thanks to the volunteer efforts of scientists, other professionals and citizens.