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Robert Adair, Chairman of the Agricultural Advisory Committee, and Supervisor <br />for the Soil and Water Conservation District, wanted the Board to evaluate what the economic <br />impact of having mines would be to the community. To that purpose, he requested permission to <br />allow a guest speaker, Dr. Richard Weisskoff, Ph.D., from the University of Miami, to speak on <br />the economic impacts of mining. <br />There was a brief discussion as to whether or not to allow the guest speaker to <br />proceed at this time. The Board CONSENSUS was to allow Dr. Weisskoff to speak after the <br />impending break. <br />The Chairman called at recess at 10:32 a.m. and reconvened the meeting at 10:45, <br />with Administrator Baird absent. <br />Dr. Richard Weiskoff, Ph.D., 17625 NE 8th Place; North Miami Beach, used a <br />PowerPoint presentation (copy on file) to provide a detailed analysis of the regional economic <br />impacts of mining on land values, and on various sectors of employment (including agriculture, <br />forest, fish services, and citrus) in Indian River, St. Lucie, and Martin Counties. He thereafter <br />suggested having the mine owners post a Bond for the total cost of restoration prior to the <br />commencement of mining operations, to protect the Counties from being left with abandoned <br />mines. He reported that the United States Department of Labor statistics show eight abandoned <br />sand mines in the County. <br />Clerk's Note: Administrator Baird re joined the meeting at 10:53 a.m. <br />Commissioner Solari felt that there was a flaw in Dr. Weiskoff's methodology <br />relative to losing citrus lands to mining. He pointed out that 30-50% of citrus operations have <br />been taken out by economics, greening, and canker, so a mining concern would not be taking an <br />11 <br />December 19, 2008 <br />Special Call Mining Regulations <br />