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.
Status of projects on this map are subject to change
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.
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The Conservancy of Southwest Florida urges decisionmakers to increase the habitat available for bear subpopulations, especially habitat that connects subpopulations to each other.
The Conservancy hopes to achieve continued viability of our natural environment and quality of life through growth management and land use planning.