LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — Leaders are looking at a plan that would allow mining on 40 acres of agricultural land.
The property, near Sorrento, has been at the center of controversy and lawsuits for months after dirt was being pulled from a “borrow pit” on the property and used for the Wekiva Parkway project.
Many residents are speaking out about it. They believe talk of farming for hay and blueberries is just an excuse to make a bunch of money mining, and they’re worried about environmental impact.
People were not shy voicing their opinion in the opposition during a packed Lake County Commission meeting.
The owner of the 40 acres wants a mining conditional use permit that would allow them to dig and pull “fill dirt” from a borrow pit on the agricultural property that sits in the Wekiva River protection area.
The land has been at the center of controversy since mining was already being done without permits from the county.
READ: Court filing accuses owner of Lake County pit of breaking hauling agreement to dig, sell dirt
The county called it an “illegal mining” operation, but the owner cited Florida’s Right to Farm Act as protection from regulation and permits, and said it needed to do this to support their farming of blueberries and hay.
Neighbors said they believe this was an excuse to make millions of dollars mining, while leaving residents to deal with any environmental consequences later.
Cox Media Group
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