The mine was not on the agenda, and not discussed, but four people stood before the commissioners and explained why the mine is a bad idea. Jane Blais, Walter Bickmeyer both OSFR members, spoke and handed out printed materials to the commissioners. Others speaking were Austin Bishop of High Springs and your historian. Also in attendance was environmentalist Brack Barker.
So goes the Bradford Board of County Commissioners meetings. On June 2, 2017 at about 10:15 am, applications for the consultant to review the mine permit application will be recognized. The public will not be invited to speak, and no discussion is expected. The county staff will examine the applications and make a recommendation to the board at a later scheduled meeting.
Time is running out. If we don’t act the mine will be built. That will be the largest threat to the river to this date.
Our river could be lost to us overnight, for decades to come.
Comments by OSFR historian Jim Tatum.
-A river is like a life: once taken, it cannot be brought back-
