§ 54-321. [Expenditures for investigation of impacts of phosphate mining.]

(a)

Findings of fact. It is hereby found and determined as follows:

(1)

There are pending or about to be filed requests to commit vast areas of Southwest Florida for the strip mining of phosphate.

(2)

Phosphate mining, as presently conducted, is totally destructive of the immediate environment, requires vast amounts of increasingly scarce groundwater, fouls the air and has consistently resulted in tremendous environmental damage to surface waters through the release of phosphate slimes and other noxious pollutants.

(3)

The conservation and protection of the natural resources and scenic beauty of Sarasota County is vitally important to the health, welfare and safety of the citizens and is further essential in the maintenance of the highly desirable tourist and retirement economic sectors that have arisen due to the County's unique climatic and cultural advantages.

(4)

The air and water resources of the various counties of Southwest Florida are interdependent and indivisible and the adverse effects of phosphate mining will create a common and substantial burden upon all the counties within the region and will therefore affect the public health, welfare and safety of the citizens of Sarasota County.

(5)

The mining of groundwater is already a serious problem in Southwest Florida and the potentiometric surface has declined below sea level in large portions of the region, thereby increasing the danger of saltwater intrusion.

(6)

Phosphate mining in other areas of Florida has been shown to lower drastically groundwater levels and the potentiometric surface.

(7)

The possible release of radioactive elements which have toxic effects even in minute amounts into the air and water of Southwest Florida through phosphate mining may have serious public health consequences now and for generations to come.

(8)

No federal, State or regional agency has undertaken an independent, interdisciplinary study of the potential environmental, economic and public health impacts of phosphate mining on Southwest Florida.

(9)

The vast majority of currently available information regarding phosphate mining has been prepared by phosphate corporations or consultants dependent upon the phosphate industry.

(10)

Without an independent, interdisciplinary study of the potential environmental, economic and public health impacts of phosphate mining, it is impossible for any level of government to make enlightened decisions that will properly protect the public interest.

(b)

Authorization for the expenditure of public funds.

(1)

Sarasota County is hereby authorized to expend its funds for the conservation and protection of its natural resources and scenic beauty and for the abatement of air and water pollution resulting from or which may result from existing, pending and proposed phosphate mining including but not limited to expenditures for the following:

a.

Participation in interdisciplinary studies and projects relating to the environmental impact of phosphate mining.

b.

Obtaining and preparation of scientific and economic reports including the employment of all necessary experts and technicians for the purpose of preparing, presenting and testifying in regard to such reports.

c.

The employment of scientists, technicians and attorneys.

d.

Preparation for and presentations to local, regional, State and federal agencies and governing bodies and the bringing of any and all court litigation including the processing of appeals.

(2)

All previous expenditures by Sarasota County relating to the protection of the environment in connection with existing, pending and proposed phosphate mining as set forth in subsection (b)(1) of this section are hereby ratified.

(c)

Declaration of Charter County purpose. It is hereby determined and declared that the expenditure of funds for the purposes set forth in this article constitutes a public and Charter County purpose.

(Ord. No. 75-047, §§ 1—3, 1-6-1976)