To: Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners Several mining companies, at the moment, are in various stages of obtaining mining permits for conditional use permits to operate dirt mines in the Washington Loop area and other residential areas of Charlotte County. I/We are property owners who will be adversely affected by these mines. Some of the reasons we object to the mines in the Washington Loop area are as follows: Incompatible heavy industry is being introduced into an already established rural residential and agricultural/ranching area, contrary to land use declarations. Truck traffic exceeding 750 dump trucks per day, ten hours per weekday, and four hours on Saturday will destroy the safety and serenity in the area as well as the roads. The mines will effectively destroy one of the most pristine areas in the county. The habitat of all wildlife in the area will be, at the very least, displaced or, in some cases, completely destroyed. This area is prime habitat for the Florida panther and three other endangered species: the scrub jay, gopher tortoise, and the indigo snake. Charlotte County and the city of Punta Gorda water supply could be contaminated by the mines. The overall effect is the property value of all residents will suffer and, in some cases, may even require the total abandonment of all of our dreams and objectives. More issues are covered in the website www.wlhpa.org. We residents are committing an enormous amount of time and energy to prevent this loss and urge you to DENY these permits as submitted. We also ask that you identify Washington Loop as a mine free zone on the overlay districts map being created for addition to the Charlotte County Excavation and Earthmoving Ordinance. Only you can prevent this loss of property value and threat to our health and safety.

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