PAGE 8 - May 16, 2012
THE NEWSCASTER-Nature Coast News
From Dawn's Front Porch
Squawk Box
Continued from page 1
and re-entry tags and talk with vendors. Drawings will start at 9:30 for free weather radios,
By Newscaster Contributor Dawn Clary
a gas grill donated by Home Depot, a cordless drill kit from Lowe’s, plus other items, and
Tarmac and the Environment – The Army Corp of Engineers has released the
will continue throughout the event. Food and drinks also will be available for purchase.
draft Environmental Impact Statement on the proposed Tarmac Mine on King’s Road.
Activities such as clowns, face-painting, CCSO’s fire safety house and a climb-
While the report is quite big, there is a very good executive summary which covers the
ing wall will be provided for the kids. Several outdoor
impact on many areas of flora and fauna and water. The impact of noise, and on wetlands
displays, including the Florida Highway Patrol’s rollover
and endangered species were also investigated. The report analyzed 8 different “alterna-
simulator that gives a clearer picture of what happens
tives” which appear to be different configurations of the actual mining activity within the
when safety belts aren’t worn, also will be set up.
site. The verdict on the ground water impact will be of interest to the Inglis and Yan-
Because a major disaster typically impacts all of the
keetown water plant operations. The report stated that there were no discernible impacts
county’s resources, this year’s expo will include valuable
due to mining on ground water flow across the modeled transects outside of the mine site
information from the offices of the Citrus County clerk
for any of alternatives. The Army Corps modeling of the mine’s impact is the third analysis
of courts, property appraiser, tax collector, supervisor
of the mines affect on ground water. Yankeetown commissioned an analysis of the mines
of elections, community planning division, geographic
impact on their wells and Tarmac had also performed their own computer model and analy-
resources, parks & recreation, animal services, health
sis. The Army Corp’s report is a draft. There is a comment period which runs until July
department, Sheriff’s Office Fire Rescue and Nature Coast Emergency Medical Servic-
11th. If interested, the report is EIS number 20120138, Draft EIS USACE, Fl Tarmac King
es. Close to 50 vendors are expected to display products and services designed to assist
Road Limestone Mine. To find the report you can also search on King Road EIS.
citizens as they prepare for the upcoming hurricane season.
One Vote can make the Difference – Yankeetown voters said yes to all nine
The Sheriff’s Office also maintains all-inclusive emergency management pages
of the ballot questions posed in the election. The closest vote was on Question #1 which
on its official website. Just go to www.sheriffcitrus.org, and click on “Emergency Man-
passed by only one vote. This question proposed requiring the Town Council to do a
agement.” You’ll find useful information about shelter locations, distribution sites and pet-
financial analysis of the total projected cost before buying more environmentally sensi-
friendly shelters; where to pick up re-entry tags; plus what actions to take before, during
tive parcels for public lands. The Council will now have to look forward at least 5 years
and after severe weather strikes.
and consider not only initial costs, but also the cost of maintaining the property, operating
Citizens with special needs, such as restricted mobility or certain medical conditions, are
expenses and the cost of additional amenities. Yankeetown has been very active in saving
urged to register now to receive critical assistance should an emergency threaten. Either
environmentally sensitive parcels. Going back to 1979, a group of citizens got together and
download a registration form from the website and mail it to the address indicated, or call
raised private funds to buy approximately 270 acres which they gave to the town. It is now
(352) 746-6555 to get on the list.
know as the Wilderness Area and starts essentially at Anchorage Street and runs west along
Additionally, people can sign up for CodeRED, emergency management’s In-
the river. Yankeetownian Edith McCrimmon was the treasurer of the group and along with
ternet-based, high-speed telephone calling system. It’s a good idea for everyone in the
her late husband Steve, made the trek to Tallahassee to facilitate the purchase. A list of all
community to register their home, business and cell phone numbers to receive emergency
the contributors was written in calligraphy and was still on display in town hall. However
notifications about evacuation orders, boil-water notices, etc.
there has been some concern that Yankeetown could become land poor and overload itself
The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office also was the first sheriff’s office in Florida to
with taking care of more property no matter how noble the cause.
offer CodeRED Weather Warning to its citizens. This completely automated early warning
Zoning Official Status – YT has received more applications for ZO.and now have eight.
system delivers severe weather notifications within seconds of being issued by the National
At this writing there is not a definite cutoff date or schedule for the selection from the
Weather Service. Weather warnings include those for tornadoes, flash floods and severe
group. The issue will have been on the agenda for the May 14th meeting so perhaps there
thunderstorms, but not hurricanes, since communities have several days to prepare.
will be some progress made. Good Night and good Luck
When moments count, the CodeRED Weather Warning system has the potential to save
lives. Everyone is urged to take advantage of its timesaving benefits. Citizens will need
to subscribe to this free-of-charge service by clicking on the CodeRED link posted on the
Sheriff’s Office website and following the instructions.
People who don’t have computer access may enroll in any of these free notification services
simply by calling (352) 746-6555.
Gail Tierney is public information officer for the Citrus County Sheriff’s Of-
fice. She has been with the agency for 22 years. Comments or suggestions may be di-
rected to Gail at (352) 341-7460, or gtierney@sheriffcitrus.org.
For Hurricane preparedness, safety information,
hotline phone numbers, survival kit info,
emergency shelters, safe room, & more
www.thenewscaster.com/hurricane.html
email news to: news@thenewscaster.com