Residents criticize groundwater pumping

Complaints and cries for help were heard loud and frequently during a Feb. 17 public hearing on the impact of groundwater pumping during January's record cold.

Residents complained that the unprecedented pumping of groundwater by strawberry farmers who were protecting their crops contributed to the loss of wells, roads and homes.

About 300 people who live in eastern Hillsborough County attended the workshop sponsored by the Southwest Florida Water Management District.

Steady pumping by farmers trying to protect crops had aquifer levels plunging, Swiftmud said. Wells failed, roads collapsed and sinkholes began opening all across eastern Hillsborough County.

Lora and Lee Lisenby live in the Trapnell area off Murray Farm Loop. She made an emotional plea to the officials at Swiftmud to do something.

"My house is being consumed by a sinkhole," Lora Lisenby said. "I called the Swiftmud offices. I called the county. I didn't get a single response. No one will even come out and evaluate the damage or give us advice on how to proceed. My husband and I have four kids. But we can no longer live in our home. We no longer have a home."

Lisenby said she paid off the mortgage on her home, counting on the equity to give the family a financial cushion in hard times. With the recession, she was unable to pay for full coverage on her homeowners insurance.

"The farmers receive help when their crops fail. The well owners get help when pumping damages their wells. But we have lost our home, and no one will help us. Someone needs to do something to help us."

Resident Richard Clark said it was time to restrict pumping.

"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," he said.

An estimated 20 homes were left uninhabitable by some of the 80 sinkholes reported in the area during the first three weeks in January.

Florida is prone to sinkholes, Swiftmud Executive Director David Moore said.

Residents whose homes are damaged or destroyed by sinkholes can turn to their insurance companies for help, he said.

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

Moore said governments with sinkhole-damaged roads are considered responsible for those repairs. The water management district will hold growers responsible for wells left unusable or damaged due to pumping in most instances, he said.

Swiftmud is looking at a number of options, including more regulations on pumping and encouraging growers to use alternative ways to protect crops, such as with covers, Moore has said.

Hillsborough County Commissioner Al Higginbotham called on the state and federal governments to help Plant City and the county pay for sinkhole repairs to roads.

Swiftmud plans two more public hearings on the topic. Dates haven't been set.