300 turn out for meeting on sinkholes, overpumping

Bill Read felt the pain of those who lost their homes to sinkholes during the record water pumping by strawberry farmers in the frigid January cold snap.

So he turned out Wednesday night, along with 300 other people, to attend a workshop sponsored by the Southwest Florida Water Management District. The agency provided statistics regarding January's record cold spell, and gave insight to district protocol and procedures regarding freeze protection.

The continuous pumping by farmers trying to protect their crops sent aquifer levels plunging.

Sinkholes began opening all across eastern Hillsborough County.

A portion of Interstate 4 was shut down for days. An elementary school had to be closed. Dozens of homes and roadways were affected as portions of the ground opened up.

"I know people have lost homes to a sinkhole that was directly related to this record pumping by the farmers," said Read, a Walden Lake resident. "The homeowner is more numerous and more important to this economy than the strawberry farmer. No one will want to buy a home in Plant City. Something has to be done."

That is why the meeting, the first of three planned by the water district, was conducted, officials said.

"It's all about restricting water usage," Richard Clark said. "You can talk about the weather, the aquifer, the farmers, wells and peoples' homes. But it all comes down to a need to restrict water usage."

The 20 homeowners left homeless by some of the 80 sinkholes reported in the area during the first three weeks in January are part of one group left out in the cold by Swiftmud procedures and protocols, residents say.

"Our (Swiftmud's) perspective regarding sinkhole damage is that roads affected by sinkholes are the responsibility of the affected government the road is in," said David Moore, executive director of the water agency.

"Private property owners are responsible for private property, through homeowners and other insurance coverage," Moore added. "We are open to discussion on it. I am just saying what our policy is on these particular issues."

County Commissioner Al Higginbotham said it is time for Gov. Charlie Crist to become involved in the mitigation of damages done in the county and in Plant City.

"FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) has to become involved," Higginbotham said. "The governor has to declare the damage a natural disaster and get the federal people involved."

Plant City Mayor Rick Lott agreed.

"I hope that Gov. Crist responds to the cries for help pouring out of the people who were here tonight," Lott said.

"The city, the county and our district state representatives and state congressmen have asked the governor to respond. This issue is larger than the city or the county,'' the mayor added.