|
 "We're
having a blast!"
And another, and another, and another.
Of great concern to the community is blasting in the
lake belt area just west of Doral. This topic was one the came before
your community council at our last meeting July 18.
Much has been written and discussed regarding
blasting. Let's look at some of the terms and issues involved:
What is (rock mining) blasting? Limestone quarries are
the sites where mining industries excavate aggregate. To do this,
explosives are strategically placed in the rock and detonated.
What is aggregate? Aggregate is the result of blasting
massive solid rock. Once the rock is blasted, the resulting aggregate
is in various sizes from very small pieces to boulders.
What is aggregate used for? The very small stones are
used for things like asphalt production, while the boulder-sized
stones are used for shoreline protection and artificial reefs. Rock
mining is important to all of our lives. It is used for home
construction, bridge abutments, roadways, airport runways and
buildings.
Where is the lakebelt? The lake belt is an 89 square
mile area that runs along the Florida Turnpike approximately from just
over the Broward county line all the way down to the Kendall area.
What is the purpose of the lakebelt? It provides
limestone, includes the largest drinking water well field in the state
and is intended to serve to buffer the Everglades from development.
Who owns the lakebelt? At least two-thirds of the land
is owned by the mining industry or government agencies.
Is all blasting the same? No. Components of blasting
can be broken down into two areas, Peak Particle Velocity (PPV) and
Frequency of Blasts (FOB).
How does blasting affect the Doral area?
1. Damage to Property. Vibrations can shake the very foundations of
our homes and places of business. At a recent Town Meeting held by
Commissioner Miriam Alonzo, numerous residents spoke about the
negative effectives of blasting to their homes. Many felt
earthquake-like shakes that resulting in damage such as cracks in
walls and fractured tiles, as well rattling windows, lamps and
shelves. You may have read the recent article in the Miami Herald
("Battle of the Blasts Gets Costly", June 12) about one such
resident who experienced the negative affects of blasting, the costly
repairs she incurred, and her inability to recoup monies from
insurance claims.
2. Drinking water. Blasting in the lake belt means the
potential contamination of our drinking water-- remember the 'lakebelt'
includes the largest drinking water wellfield in the state.
3. Impact on our property values. Not only can homes
by physically damaged and weakened by excessive blasting, as of
October 1, 1999, anyone selling a home within the 'lakebelt,' that is,
blasting belt, must sign an affidavit acknowledging the proximity of
use of explosives for limestone mining. If your home lies within two
miles of any point of the 89 square mile Florida lakebelt area, you
must sign this affidavit or be subject to civil fines, civil
litigation and the potential void of the sale of your home.
4. Quality of life. The very sound and certainly the
vibration of the blasting not only can be disruptive to one's daily
life, it can be unnerving.
Is blasting necessary? Absolutely! The mining of
limestone is essential to the growth of our community, our county and
our state.
Is there are workable solution? Absolutely! Blasting
can be controlled and limited by the frequency per week and the
intensity of the blasts. Commissioner Miriam Alonso established a
Blasting Task Force about a year ago to evaluate the intensity of the
blast and the damage to homes and businesses in the area. Members of
the task force include representatives of the rock mining industry and
members of the community, including Jesse Jones, the vice president of
the West Dade Federation of Homeowners Associations (WDFHA).
While the task force was negotiating in good faith, an
amendment was added at the last minute to Senate Bill 772, the
transportation bill that would eliminate emission testing in
Miami-Dade County. The amendment takes AWAY the control of local
blasting and puts it in the hands of Tallahassee. The bill passed and
was signed by Governor Jeb Bush.
We are now in a battle to get back the control
blasting that occurs in our own backyards. Commissioner Miriam Alonso,
is spearheading an effect to bring the control back where it belongs:
the local government. Blasting is an important part of our community's
growth, but more of a good thing is not necessarily better.
I urge you to contact Commissioner Alonso to show your
support of her efforts to help maintain our beautiful and growing home
community we know as Doral. Her office can be reached by phone at 305
599 1200, by fax at 305 470 1791, or e-mail her at miriamalonso@co.miami-dade.fl.us.
|
