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LIMEROCK & SAND MINING

Mining - mostly for limerock and sand - is another source of impacts to wildlife habitats, wetlands, and other water resources in Southwest Florida. The Conservancy works with decision makers, and directly with mining operations if possible, to eliminate and minimize the negative impacts of land use changes on natural resources.


The impacts of a mine – which can sometimes be thousands of acres in size and create deep pits into the earth - extend well beyond the actual footprint of the site. Hydrology of the region’s wetland flowways or movements of imperiled species can be affected by mines. It can also create incompatibilities with neighboring residences and exponentially increase traffic on rural roadways.

Unfortunately, many of Southwest Florida’s most sensitive areas have been or may be mined in the future.

According to a 2008 report, over 22,500 acres of mining had been approved in Lee County’s Density Reduction/Groundwater Resource (DR/GR) area. Applications for thousands of additional acres in the same region are also being reviewed.

Reclaimed, Existing and Proposed Mines

Status of projects on this map are subject to change

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        • Naples Bay & Gordon River
        • TMDLs and BMAPs
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Learn more from our Policy and Advocacy Department

Panthers in Peril

With only about 100-180 Florida panthers remaining, the Conservancy advocates that development projects avoid impacting any panther habitat, or that officials take steps to minimize any impact.

Learn more

 

Black Bears

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida urges decisionmakers to increase the habitat available for bear subpopulations, especially habitat that connects subpopulations to each other.

Learn more

 

 

 

Smart Growth

The Conservancy hopes to achieve continued viability of our natural environment and quality of life through growth management and land use planning.

Learn more

 

More from Policy:

  • Oil
  • Water Quality Standards
  • Fertilizer Ordinance
  • Florida panther
  • Black Bears
  • Manatees
  • Take Action

 

 

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Conservancy of Southwest Florida

Address

1495 Smith Preserve Way
Naples, Florida 34102

Nature Center Hours

Monday - Saturday
9:30 am - 4:00 pm (ET)

Sunday: 12 pm - 4 pm

von Arx Wildlife Hospital Hours

239-262-2273
8 am - 8 pm (ET)
365 days a year

 

Contact

239-262-0304 phone
239-262-0672 fax

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