More encouraging news for Corkscrew Neighbors & Friends…

Yesterday, the Lee BOCC voted 5-0 to adopt a one year moratorium on mine rezoning applications in the southeast DR/GR. The moratorium will apply to any new applications, as well as those already received that have not yet met sufficiency for public hearing. It will also apply to zoning amendments for intensification of mining uses (deeper, dirt to rock, etc.). At their previous meeting on Sept. 11th, the BOCC also voted to adopt a moratorium prohibiting new privately initiated comprehensive plan amendments for a two-year period. County staff has been directed to draft an ordinance for these actions, and a public hearing has been tentatively set for October 23^rd.

You can view the BOCC meeting online. (Skip ahead about 15 minutes to hear public comments on the mining moratorium).

This mining moratorium means a couple of things for us as rural residents of Corkscrew / East Estero.

• First, we’ll have some temporary relief from the stress & financial burden of opposing five or more new mines on Corkscrew Road.
• Second, we’ll have some time to focus our efforts on ensuring that the DR/GR Action Plan moves forward in a way that encourages active participation from all stakeholders, especially the Corkscrew Rural Community.
• And third, we’ll have some time to work toward offsetting the legislative agenda being pushed by the mining industry lobby and supported by the Florida Dept. of Transportation. FDOT is administering a Strategic Aggregates Task Force which is expected to recommend policy changes to the Governor in February. To stay on top of this issue, I would recommend that you add your name to the mailing list by visiting the Task Force Website.

Bottom line is that we’ve managed to catch a little time & breathing room with this “time-out” on mining, but we have a lot of work ahead of us. The DR/GR Action Plan is the first order of business. I’ll keep you posted on developments.

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