CUSTOMIZABLE EMAIL #1 (Recommended)

​

Allows personalization at the top.

​

Subject: NO Sand Mine Along the SunCoast, Protect Kings Bay & Our Aquifer

 

Dear Governor DeSantis and State Officials,

​

[ INSERT YOUR PERSONAL MESSAGE HERE — why this matters to you, concerns about water, community, springs, or property. 2–4 sentences.]

​

I am asking for your leadership to ensure no sand mine or borrow pit is allowed on the Southworth property or anywhere along the SunCoast corridor, especially within theKings Bay / Crystal River Outstanding Florida Spring Priority Focus Area.

​

On October 24th, excavation was taking place at 18-20 foot depths, when the ground collapsed filled from the bottom up with groundwater, not stormwater. FDOT’s own project manager confirmed the digging penetrated below the water table. FDOT’s

Test Lab borings show groundwater only 3–10 feet deep in this area, and a new well was drilled immediately after the collapse for potential monitoring.Documented information close to this area shows us the excavation intersected a groundwater system already proven in the area to be in hydraulic continuity with

the Upper Floridan Aquifer.

​

This area is too unstable and too hydrologically vulnerable

for sand mining.

​

I respectfully request that you:

​

1. Suspend AND terminate FDOT’s plan to acquire or operate the Southworth property as a sand mine or borrow pit.

​

2. Prohibit sand mining or borrow pits in OFS/PFA and coastal aquifer-recharge areas.

​

3. Order an independent hydrogeologic investigation of the collapse.

​

4. Release all water sample results, boring logs, and FDOT, FTE, FDEP internal communications related to the excavation incident.

 

5. Clarify how FDOT bypassed federal 404 review using a “No Permit Required” letter.

​

Florida’s aquifer, springs, and taxpayer dollars must be protected.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[City, FL]

​

____________________________________________________

​

​

CUSTOMIZABLE EMAIL #2 (Shorter Version)

​

Subject: Stop FDOT’s Sand Mine – Protect Our Water

​

Dear Governor DeSantis and State Leaders,

​

[ Add your personal message here.]

Please act to ensure no sand mine or borrow pit is allowed on the Southworth property or along the SunCoast corridor. The October 24th excavation collapse occurred because excavation was occurring at a depths of 18-20 feet. With a discontinuous clay layer, the surficial sands and the Floridan limestone aquifer act as one connected system. So when the ground was excavated deeply, the aquifer water rose directly into the pit from below.

​

There was no rain, this was not stormwater or a stormwater drainage pond.

 

This is not a safe borrow pit location. Floridians should not be forced to finance a high-risk borrow pit that endangers our springs, our aquifer, our water supply, and our community.

​

Please stop the acquisition and order independent review.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

​

____________________________________________________

​

​

READY-TO-SEND EMAIL #1 (No Personalization Needed)

​

Subject: Protect Kings Bay – Reject FDOT Sand Mine Plan

​

Dear Governor DeSantis and State Officials,

​

I am requesting immediate oversight and intervention regarding FDOT’s attempt to acquire and operate the Southworth sand mine property as a borrow pit within the Kings Bay Outstanding Florida Spring Priority Focus Area. The October 24th excavation/ground collapse incident demonstrated a direct groundwater breach. Water surged from the bottom up when the excavator hit the water table, with no

rainfall, and with a discontinuous clay layer, the surficial sands and the Floridan limestone aquifer act as one connected system. FDOT’s Test Lab borings documented shallow groundwater, voids, and karst instability. All of these things indicate this area is too unstable for mining. This location is hydrologically connectedto Kings Bay and Crystal River an Outstanding Florida Spring/Priority Focus Area and location must not be used as a sand mine.

​

Please take all actions necessary to prohibit sand mining or borrow pit operations in this area and ensure full transparency in evaluating this incident.

​

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[City, FL]

​

__________________________________________________

​

​

READY-TO-SEND EMAIL #2 (No personalization needed)

​

Subject: No Sand Mine in Kings Bay OFS/PFA – Aquifer Protection Needed

​

Dear State Leaders,

​

The Southworth property is located inside the Kings Bay / Crystal River Outstanding Florida Spring Priority Focus Area, one of the most vulnerable aquifer recharge zones in Florida. The excavation collapse on October 24th proves the area has direct

groundwater pathways and cannot safely support borrow pit operations. FDOT’s plan to purchase and mine this land with taxpayer dollars is dangerous and unacceptable. Please stop this acquisition and ensure no sand mine is allowed along the SunCoast corridor.

​

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

​

____________________________________________________

​

​

CALL THE GOVERNOR’s Office

IMPORTANT ACTION

​

Governor DeSantis’ Office (Executive Office of the Governor):  850-717-9337

​

Backup / Switchboard (use if the first line is busy): 850-488-7146

​

CALL SCRIPT (30 seconds)

​

Hi, my name is [_________], and I’m calling from [CITY], Florida.

​

I’m asking Governor DeSantis to stop FDOT from purchasing or operating the Southworth property as a sand mine or borrow pit.

​

This location is inside the Kings Bay Outstanding Florida Spring Priority Focus Area and is too geologically unstable for mining.

On October 24th, an excavation collapse occurred because excavation was occurring at a depths of 18-20 feet. With discontinuous clay layer, the surficial sands

and the Floridan limestone aquifer act as one connected system. So when the ground was excavated deeply, the aquifer water rose directly into the pit from below. There was no rain, this was not stormwater or a stormwater drainage pond.

​

Please take action to:

​

1. Stop FDOT’s acquisition and operation of the Southworth

sand mine.

​

2. Order an independent investigation of the groundwater

collapse.

​

3. Ensure that no sand mine is allowed along the SunCoast

corridor in OFS/PFA areas.

​

Thank you for passing this message to the Governor.

​

​

​

LONGER CALL SCRIPT (for people who want more detail — 60–90 seconds)

​

Hi, my name is [YOUR NAME], and I live in [CITY], Florida.

​

I’m calling because I’m very concerned about FDOT’s plan to purchase and operate the Southworth property as a sand mine. This site is inside the Kings Bay Outstanding FloridaSpring Priority Focus Area — one of the most vulnerable aquifer zones in the state.

On October 24th, an excavation along SunCoast 3A

collapsed and filled from the bottom up with groundwater.

There was no rainfall. FDOT’s own project manager confirmed they penetrated below the water table, and FDOT installed a new well days later potentially for monitoring.

FDOT and Creative Environmental Solution reports show that the groundwater is extremely shallow and hydrogeologically connected to the aquifer. This is not a

safe place for mining, and taxpayer dollars should not be used to purchase a high-risk borrow pit. This was not stormwater or a stormwater drainage pit.

​

I am asking the Governor to:

​

• Stop FDOT’s acquisition of the Southworth property

​

• Ban sand mining along the SunCoast corridor in OFS/PFA

areas

​

• Order an independent hydrogeologic investigation

​

• Release all water sample results and internal communications from FDOT, FDEP, SWFWMD about the collapse Florida needs leadership to protect our water, our springs, our aquifer, and our public resources. Thank you for your time.

 

 

 

SHARE THIS PAGE

​

Encourage your friends and neighbors to:

​

• Visit StopTheSandMine.com

​

• Copy and send the emails

​

• Follow updates

​

• Attend meetings

​

• Spread the word on social media

​

Every voice matters — and together we CAN Stop The Sand Mine.

​

_________________________________________

​

2. Spread the Word

​

- Share our flyers with neighbors, businesses, and community groups.

​

- Share our website:     www.StopTheSandMine.com

​

- Post updates and links on social media.- Encourage friends to sign up for updates

and attend public meetings.

​

- Fill out the contact form below to join our email list.

​

- Sign the petition: https://chng.it/BNpgZjMggP

​

______________________________________

​

​

3. Stay Engaged

​

Check our News & Updates page for action alerts.

​

Be ready to send more emails to FDOT, SWFWMD, and FDEP if the permit advances.

​

Attend public hearings when scheduled, your presence matters.

​

_____________________________________

​

​

4. Donate or Volunteer

 

This is a grassroots fight. Every yard sign, flyer, and legal filing takes resources.

Donate to cover sign and outreach costs email stopthesandminecc@gmail.com.

​

Volunteer to deliver signs, help with events, speak at hearings, or assist with outreach.

​

Bottom Line

​

This mine does not belong in a Priority Focus Area.

It does not belong in an Outstanding Florida Water.

It does not belong in Crystal River–Kings Bay.

By taking these simple steps, you help protect our aquifer,

 

Information if researching Sand Mine/Borrow Pit

​

Southworth Environmental Resource Permit (ERP):

48405.000 (App: 912905) Crystal River Borrow Pit

​

https://swfwmd.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/

index.html?id=5b54a007077b4c5bb3723e1541ebecc1

​

Locations of the Southworth Borrow Pit

​

Sections 11 & 12, Township 18 South, Range 17 East,

Citrus County, Florida,

3856 N Brookshire Pt in Crystal River

4500 N Ellen Point Crystal River

6580 W Cavalry Lane Beverly Hills

​

​

Please click here and sign our petition to Stop The Sand Mine

https://chng.it/BNpgZjMggP

​

Information if researching Sand Mine/Borrow Pit

​

Southworth Environmental Resource Permit (ERP):

48405.000 (App: 912905) Crystal River Borrow Pit

​

https://swfwmd.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=5b54a007077b4c5bb3723e1541ebecc1

 

​

Locations of the Southworth Borrow Pit

​

Sections 11 & 12, Township 18 South, Range 17 East, Citrus County, Florida,

3856 N Brookshire Pt in Crystal River

4500 N Ellen Point Crystal River

6580 W Cavalry Lane Beverly Hills