BY MARK J. CRAWFORD
Telegraph Editor
STARKE — Bradford County commissioners rejected assistance from Alachua County in revisiting its land development regulations for mining.
At the same time an application to mine phosphate in Bradford County was being submitted in 2016, opponents pleaded with the commission to enact a moratorium until the perceived inadequacies of the regulations on mining could be addressed.
Union County commissioners did halt any applications until it revised its land development regulations. The mining company sued, and while that played out, the application in Bradford moved no closer to a hearing.
Now, both applications have been withdrawn, but those interested in protecting natural resources in and downstream from Bradford County are no less adamant that Bradford join Union in enacting tougher regulations.
Following news of the application’s withdrawal in Bradford County, Alachua County commissioners voted to write Bradford and offer support in drafting and adopting “more resource protective regulations.”
“Union County accepted a similar request from Alachua County a few years ago, and we provided data and analysis, drafting and other technical assistance related to the adoption of land development regulations and comprehensive plan policies in Union County designed to protect our shared water resources from the detrimental effects of mining and other uses,” Alachua County Chair Anna Prizzia wrote in a Jan. 31 letter to Bradford County.
Commissioner Chris Dougherty said the concept of “home rule” means that Tallahassee — to a certain extent — stays out of Bradford County’s business, and he felt the same should apply to Alachua County.
“I think that we should very respectfully just decline their offer and move forward, working with the planning council, but also making decisions on our own,” Dougherty said.
Commissioner Danny Riddick said he had already been in contact with Scott Koons at the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council who indicated there would be no problem amending the regulations. The planning council also assisted in the Union County revisions.
While there was some question at the end of last year if Bradford was going to move forward the planning council or shop elsewhere for those services, the commission approved an extension of its agreement with the planning council in January for $23,500.
The offer from Alachua shows that there are still observers outside of Bradford County interested in how this plays out who will likely hold the planning council responsible for fulfilling it regional mission.
