Home › Opinion & Editorial › Sunday Perspective
Editorial: Too precious to take risks
More Sunday Perspective
- Wish List: Nonprofit organizations requests for help
- Perspective: Drawing the Line
- Phil Lewis: Press-ing issues, Naples forum
Tell us about it
- What would you add to this story? Tell us what we missed.
- Do you have photos from this event? Documents we need to see? Share with us.
- Upload photos & videos
- More ways to get your stuff online and in the paper.
STORY TOOLS
Share and Enjoy [?]
Results of a study into the environmental impact of rock mining led a judge in 2006 to curtail that activity in Miami-Dade County.
A follow-up study raises even more serious concerns about mining’s impact on water supplies. The U.S. Geological Survey finds pollution can get to groundwater faster and last longer, perhaps for decades, than previously estimated.
While one scientific view holds that the geology of Lee County is different and protected from Miami-Dade conditions, the new data indicate a development size-up for the Lee County density reduction/groundwater resource (DRGR) area ought to be expanded.
As an official of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida says of the new study, “The bottom line is it indicates our watersheds are at greater risk than we would have believed before. ... It really stresses the need for wellfield protection.”
Lee County officials are looking to strike the right balance between environmental protection and development in that area that includes parts of Bonita Springs and Estero. Knowing what that means for this and future generations seems to deserve a place in that balance, which also needs to consider our need for rock and fill.
The bottom line of the Conservancy seems right on: “We’re talking about nothing less than our drinking water supply.”
Comments
This site does not necessarily agree with comments posted below. Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. Break our rules, and we will ban you. No exceptions, no second chances. Read our privacy policy & user agreement.
Post your comment
(Requires free registration.)