The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
PAGE 11 - February 6, 2008
Letter to the Editor:
Editorial - Opinion - Commentary
Re: An Open Letter to: Levy County Board of County Commissioners
Years ago, Levy County adopted mining regulations protecting our first magnitude
Yankeetown Mayor's Report
springs. Later, Levy County Commissioners (BOCC) endorsed Levy Planning Commission's
(LPC), Florida Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and the Florida Springs' Initiative
A Guest Commentary by Mayor Dawn Clary
(FSI) working together to propose Levy's Five Year EAR Comprehensive Plan and Land
After a holiday lull, things are cooking again for the YT government, as far as
Development Regulations (CP/LDRs) to enhance springs' protections. Templates were sug-
meetings go. The Comprehensive Plan Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR) was approved
gested to enact CP/LDRs protecting springs and groundwater before inevitable residential
at a public hearing and is on its way for upper level review after a public hearing last week.
and commercial pollution growth.
The requirement to do the EAR is a good idea because as with any plan, the Comp Plan is a
LPC held one workshop with DCA experts to discuss specifics. Experts testified Bronson
projection of your future goal and where you wish to go. Communities then chart a course on
area groundwater flows to Santa Fe Gap Springs (Lilly, Ginnie and Blue Springs in Gilchrist
getting there. Every now and then you need to check and see if you are still on course or if
County); that Williston groundwater flows to Rainbow and Silver Springs in Marion County;
you still want to go there at all. That's what the EAR does.
Trenton, Bronson and Otter Creek groundwater flows to Manatee and Fanning Springs. In
The Capital Improvements Element of the comp plan is also in the review cycle. The
other words, all of Levy County is in some springshed. Florida's DCA reasonably suggested
capital improvements element is a plan or projection of the infrastructure projects that your
adopting countywide springs' protections rather than just in Manatee and Fanning Springs
town wants to accomplish in the next five years. This game is now much harder because the
watersheds.
laws have been changed so that now if you say you are going to do something, you actually
Lesser' expensive suggestions included low impact landscaping, Audubon Golf Course
have to do it AND know how you are going to pay for it. The Capital Improvements plan has
requirements, pervious parking surfaces and open space requirements for recharge. DCA
for years been essentially a wish list and funding sources were guessed at or simply propped
suggested requiring all new construction have septic tanks utilizing (expensive) advanced
up with the elusive "grant" which may or may not be feasible. You can no longer do this and
wastewater nitrogen reducing treatment. LPC considered adopting such tanks for new resi-
at least for the first three years of the plan it has to be concrete and you have to have funding
dential developments but not unplatted single family homes. Because the advanced septic
nailed down. The requirements are a bit looser for the fourth and fifth year, but the approach
tanks were deemed onerous, LPC elected NO recommendations for spring's protection after
is still aimed at making communities put some real thought and hard work into their planning
the first meeting. We need long delayed action now.
so that it has a greater chance of becoming a reality. Our plan is no slouch, we have two major
November 29, 2007, Lake City Rotarian John Wheeler told Chiefland's Rotary Club how 25
projects, the water plant and the Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve. For such a small community it
years ago, Crystal River's main spring was clear "down 40 feet." "King's Bay was teaming
is actually very impressive. The problem with adding additional projects such as drainage and
with sheepshead, mackerel, mullet and all kinds of fish. It's all gone away. You can't see the
sewer at this time is that it is difficult to assure funding. It has been difficult to explain this to
bottom now. It's a murky nightmare." He said Itchetucknee River's green eelgrass is turning
some individuals. Sometimes if you are not the one who has to make the mortgage, it is hard
brown as pollution causes brown algae attachment and swimmers complain of itching caused
to understand why you can afford to put in a pool. Another hearing will be held later this
by toxic algae growth. He encouraged all Rotary and community members to become active
month on this element.
in springs' protection, voicing their concerns.
Also, the building Moratorium which was due to expire in January, has been ex-
South Florida's Sarasota enacted strict landscaping and fertilizer regulations due to yard
tended for perhaps one more year after. There is essentially no change in the requirements of
and neighborhood runoff causing horrible `red tide' sea life death. Red tide hurt Sarasota due
the moratorium and single family residential is unaffected. Despite working like crazy, the
to dead fish stench-- smelled miles from shore-- crippling tourism and sport fishing
Planning and Zoning Commission is made up of human beings, extraordinary ones yes but
industries. Pollution from Levy County drains into the Gulf of Mexico via the Suwannee
even they can only go so fast, there is still a lot of work left in the P&Z area to work through
River (at Suwannee, Cedar Key), via the Withlacoochee River (at Inglis, Yankeetown) or via
the approval cycles on all of their projects. The moratorium gives shelter for this. Good Night
the Wacassassa River flow from Wacassassa Flats.
and Good Luck, Dawn Marie Clary, Mayor of Yankeetown
Current near-record groundwater lows due to drought and increasing water usage is
concentrating deadly nitrate pollution. Proactive commercial/ industrial efforts include: (1)
Thrift Shop & Bingo YT-Inglis Woman's Club
farmers changing wastewater field-spraying, (2) communities requiring rain-runoff retention
The Yankeetown-Inglis Woman's Club Thrift Shop is open on Tuesdays (10am-1pm),
areas improving sewage system efficiency. Residences are major nitrate polluters through
Wednesdays (12-3pm) and Fridays (10am-1pm). The club also has Thursday night Bingo
leaking septic tanks and/or using too much fertilizer on lawns/shrubs. Proactive efforts in-
starting at 7pm. with sandwiches, drinks and desserts available at 6pm. The club is located in
clude (3) using slow-release (or no) fertilizers, (4) pumping out septic tanks every five years,
Yankeetown at #5 56th Street.
inspecting/repairing any cracks/leakage.
Read The Newscaster online
Levy County needs regulations BEFORE inevitable growth occurs. We need regulations
to mitigate pollution, nitrogen runoff and new water usage/withdrawals. Provide County
log on to: newscasterarchives.com
Commissioners YOUR input-- via telephone, email, letter, workshop or BOCC attendance.
Vera Rich, Chiefland
El Ranchito
e-mail your news to: newscast@atlantic.net
Mexican Restaurant
Bubba's Fin & Feather
Now Open In Crystal River
MONDAY Happy Hour All Day!
TUESDAY Beer Bingo 1pm.
Lunch and Dinner Served
Dine-In or Take-Out
WEDNESDAY Free Pool All Day
Off Hwy 40
The Best Mexican Cuisine
445 NE 1st Terrace, CRYSTAL RIVER
On Lk. Rousseau
THURSDAY - Darts 7:00pm.
Crystal Terrace Shopping Center Across from Big Lots,
Yes! We have
FRIDAY - KARAOKE 7:00 pm.
behind Circle K, WEST side of Hwy. 19
Call 447-2755
Beer & Wine
for info
Sat. Feb. 16
SATURDAY
FRIDAY
MONDAY - THURSDAY
Lunch 11am-2pm Open All Day
Lunch 11am-2pm
Hours: M-Fri Noon-Close
Car Show 2p.m. - Potluck Dinner 4 p.m.
Dinner 5-10pm 12noon - 10pm
Dinner 5-9pm
Sat-Sun 10 am.-Close
Sock Hop 6p.m.
OPEN SUNDAYS:
RV
& Camper Sites
(352) 795-5251
Veteran Discounts M-F All Day
12:00 N - 9:00 P M.
.
White's Quality Auto
The Newscaster by Mail
Yes! I want to receive The Newscaster by mail. A one
Cars * Trucks * Vans * S.U.V.'s
year subscription is $18.25 in Florida and $21.25 out of
FINANCING AVAILABLE
State.Mail your check or credit card # with this form.
Name___________________Add_________________________
A&D Auto Salvage - We Buy Salvage Cars
(352) 447-0777
City_______________St.___Zip_____Date_________
Newscaster Publishing
123 U.S. Hwy. 19 South, Inglis, Florida 34449
Signature_____________________
P.O Box 64
FAX(352)447-5127 E-MAIL: whitesqualityauto@earthlink.net
Yankeetown,FL 34498