Letters: Mining can degrade water quality

Proposed mine deal digs at divided lines | March 31, article

Hed hed

There is a direct connection between the article about lime rock mining in northwest Pasco County and the article about the pollution of Florida's springs.

Those springs for which Florida is so famous, and virtually all of our drinking water, comes from the aquifer that permeates the lime rock formation under most of West-Central Florida.

I am not an environmentalist, but my life depends on an adequate supply of drinking water. We have already overbuilt and overpopulated this area relative to the available water supply. And, now, another company wants to blast the lime rock that provides and protects our source of that water.

The Cross Florida Barge Canal damaged the aquifer and degraded the water coming up into Crystal River and other springs. The pressure of overpopulation, pumping too much water from the aquifer, agricultural runoff, etc., have further increased the pollution.

There is an entire mountain of lime rock near Carlsbad, New Mexico, and it does not overlay an aquifer. Outlaw Ridge Inc. can dig and blast to its heart's content out there and get all the lime rock it could possibly use without endangering the lives of several hundred thousand residents by polluting their water supply.

I hope our county commissioners have the guts to continue to deny any blasting and mining in our aquifer.

Alfred J. D'Amario, Hudson

Hed hed

Once again, the American Indian Movement of Florida will protest the appropriation of Native American culture at the Chasco parade. AIM contends that the float, manned by white people wearing Indian costumes, is demeaning, insulting and racist. Organizers and Krewe members deny the accusation and say instead that they are honoring Native Americans. A person has to be deaf, dumb and blind not to see the dishonor.

AIM also contends that the float is guilty of a civil rights violation and should be cited as such. African-Americans were given their civil rights in the 1960s, why then are Native Americans still fighting for equality and their civil right in 2013?

It would benefit and educate the community much more if the Krewe of Chasco chose a different theme. Let's educate our young people by showing them to respect other people's culture and spirituality. Exploitation of a culture is wrong, no matter what the ethic background is. The organizers should do the right thing and ban the Krewe of Chasco float.

Ruby A. Beaulieu, Hudson