About the Event
Another massive sand mine is being proposed at 37180 Washington Loop Road on a 465 acre plot next to the 293 acre one that is already being fought at 37390 Bermont Road. Residents off Washington Loop and Bermont will now be surrounded by polluting sand mines if both are approved.
More info can be found at the Charlotte County Accela Website below:
Meeting Agenda:
Why is This Bad?
Sand mining is not just a nuisance with heavy equipment and trucks flooding our neighborhood roads. Its a serious public health and environmental threat:
- Silica Dust Exposure
- Sand mining releases fine crystalline silica particles, which are known to cause severe and permanent lung diseases, including silicosis, COPD, and even cancer. These airborne particles can travel for miles, putting entire communities at risk, not just those next door. Children, seniors, and those with preexisting respiratory conditions are especially vulnerable.
- Air and Water Pollution
- Residents have experienced increased coughing, allergies, and breathing problems due to continuous dust and diesel exhaust from trucks and machinery. Air monitoring has not been implemented or enforced, despite repeated complaints.
- Water contamination and sinkhole risk: Sand mining operations draw down groundwater, destabilize soils, and alter the underground flow of water. In Florida’s limestone-rich geology, this greatly increases the risk of sinkholes — sudden collapses that can damage roads, homes, and aquifers. It also threatens the safety and quality of our drinking water.
- Fire Hazards
- A fire has already broken out on or near the mine site, placing nearby homes and lives in danger.
- Noise and Vibration
- Heavy machinery and truck traffic operate from early morning to evening, shaking homes and disturbing peace and quiet.
- Property Value Decline
- The presence of an industrial mine makes it difficult to sell homes, and when buyers walk away, our equity is destroyed. Many residents have already lost substantial value on their investments.
- Wildlife and Wetland Destruction
- The area is home to sensitive habitats that are being degraded by excavation, runoff, and habitat fragmentation.
Many residents were never notified and the permit application process has lacked transparency. A large number of residents affected by this project received no formal notice and had no chance to object before operations began. This violates the basic principle of public participation in decisions that affect our health and environment.
This mine does not belong in a residential area. We are not against development or responsible resource use. But industrial-scale mining does not belong near homes, schools, wetlands, or groundwater resources. It belongs in remote areas with strict safeguards and oversight.
What You Can Do
Make your voice heard that the next commissioners meeting by RSVP’ing August 11th at 1:30PM at the Administration Center, 18500 Murdock Circle, Room 119, Port Charlotte, Florida. You can also sign the petition below to help stop the mine:
An Ordinance pursuant to Section 125.66, Florida Statutes, amending the Charlotte County Zoning Atlas from
Agriculture (AG) to Excavation and Mining (EM);for approximately 453.27 acres of the property (property contains a total of
519.63± acres) located at 33350 Bermont Road, 35486 and 36366 Washington Loop Road