The Issue
       Sand mining damages the environment. The Levy Borrow Pit/sand mine will affect a large portion of Levy County including residents, businesses, and farms in Bronson, Chiefland, Archer, and Williston. We will be forced to deal with hazards of noise, dust, silica, destruction of the landscape, damage to local roads, lower property values, and pollution of the soil, surface water, and aquifer. Sand mines negatively impact the local vegetation, water sources, air quality, soil, animals, and people. 

     The proposed location of this sand mine sits on 99 acres, directly on SR 24. State Road 24 is the main route of travel for the Tri-county area to commute to Gainesville. At this time, they estimate the minimum incoming dump trucks at 50 per day (that is 50 coming, and 50 going, so that is at least a truck every 5 minutes). However, if they pass this, it is a very easy change for them to increase the allowed trucks to whatever number they want. They are requesting their operating hours to be sun-up to sun-down, 6 days a week! Traffic will be impacted significantly. This leads to longer commutes and increased accidents. Not only is there monumental traffic concerns, the proposed property also adjoins several residential homes that will now be surrounded by this monstrosity of construction (noise, dust, smell) that is estimated to last for 20-30 years. These residents' properties have been re-zoned without their knowledge or consent, to aid in the process of the sand mine. The proposed sand mine location is zoned for agricultural use, which is why they have requested a special exception. Sand mining is detrimental to agriculture-the exact opposite of what it is zoned for.

     The "special exception" was turned down by the Planning and Zoning committee, however, the fight isn't over. Anderson Columbia has deep pockets and the ability to fight for their interests. This sand mine does NOT benefit the community. An estimated 80% of the sand will be taken to Alachua county for use. 

      This 99-acre sand mining operation will create dust containing silica particles that travel great distances in the wind. This dust will expose entire communities to silica which causes interstitial lung disease through permanent lung scarring. Now consider residents and workers who already have asthma, COPD, or another respiratory illness.  Silica in enclosed businesses is regulated to protect workers, but it is not regulated in sand mining, affecting people, wildlife, farm animals, and agriculture. The silica dust stops natural vegetation from growing, damaging crops, and grazing lands while contaminating the air, soil, and water sources.

       When sand is removed through mining it contributes to erosion and sinkholes, while changing the natural process of rainwater filtration through ground layers leading to the aquifer.  Removing the sand filtration layer increases contaminants of lead and cadmium in the aquifer.  Processed sand and wastewater ponds at mining operations also create a carcinogenic neurotoxin, acrylamide, which contaminates the aquifer. Sand mines also use millions of gallons of groundwater daily, making local wells run dry, and threatening the long-term availability of water for homes and farms nearby.

        Nuisance construction traffic damages rural roads and communities, dropping cargo and causing road hazards. Even operations confined to business hours use mine blasting inside communities of farms and residential homes.  They destroy the rural landscape and decrease property values. There is no significant internal oversight to protect communities and avoid lawsuits. This leaves formulating, establishing, monitoring, and enforcing critical legal regulations on local government officials. 

       ACT NOW to stop the Levy Borrow Pit from being placed in our backyard to protect everyone in our communities, our pets and livestock, our air, our water, our soil, our homes, our farms, and our beautiful rural communities.