Lee County meeting brings homeowners against lime rock mining

Mining site. (Credit: WINK News)

People packed the Lee County commissioners meeting Wednesday. Most of them were there to fight a proposal to alter the rules mining companies currently face when seeking approval.

Homeowners fear the change could mean more lime rock mining closer to their residence.

Brian Hamman, a Lee County commissioner, told WINK News this was the longest public hearing he has ever gone through. It covers the issue of whether to eliminate what is known as “Map 14.”

The map designates all the areas where mining is allowed to occur. Lee County’s lawyers fear the rules surrounding this map are vague and leave the county open to legal challenges, leading them to ask commissioners to fix it.

As of late Wednesday afternoon, they followed the lawyers’ advice over the objections of taxpayers.

The next step is the change in the mining rules will go to the state for review. Then, it is back to the commissioners for one final vote.

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