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A proposed sand mine near Lecanto that drew months of opposition from nearby residents was rejected by Citrus County commissioners on Aug. 11.

The proposal involved roughly 70 acres, with about 44 acres included in the requested land-use change. Residents raised concerns about truck traffic, compatibility with nearby homes, setbacks and buffers, reclamation of the property and the potential effects of mining near the water table.

Water has been one of the biggest concerns. Citrus County's springs, rivers and drinking water are connected to the Floridan aquifer beneath the county, making proposals involving excavation near groundwater particularly sensitive.

But the commission's vote didn't end the dispute.

After the denial, county officials said activity continued on the property without the required approvals. Commissioners returned for a special meeting Aug. 17 and authorized the County Attorney to begin legal action against Lecanto Sand LLC to stop the alleged unpermitted activity.

What began as a fight over whether the mine should be allowed is now also a test of the county's ability to enforce its decision.

For now, the mine has been denied and the dispute appears headed to court.

Sources: Citrus County meeting records · Florida Phoenix

Plans to turn the former Pine Ridge Golf and Country Club into a residential development have hit a major roadblock.

A developer wants to build as many as 80 homes on 221 acres in Pine Ridge Unit 3. County commissioners approved the land-use change 3-2 in August 2025, but the Pine Ridge Property Owners' Association challenged the decision in Circuit Court, arguing the county hadn't followed the procedures required by its own Land Development Code.

The judge agreed.

For now, the county's approval has been thrown out and the proposed development is on hold while the legal process continues.

The ruling could reach beyond Pine Ridge. The court found that Citrus County has to follow its own established procedures when changing how property can be developed.

Source: Citrus County Chronicle

As Crystal River moves toward completing its long-planned Riverwalk, the city is also facing the eventual closure of the Third Avenue boat ramp.

Removing the ramp has been part of the Riverwalk plan for years, but there's one practical problem: Crystal River never built a comparable public boat launch to replace it.

Some residents have asked the city to find a way for the ramp and Riverwalk to coexist. Keeping it isn't necessarily simple, though. Parking around the ramp is limited, and people using it must cross U.S. 19 without a nearby crosswalk.

For now, the Riverwalk plan calls for the ramp to go away, and there isn't another city boat ramp waiting to take its place.

Sources: Crystal River City Council meeting, Aug. 10 · Citrus County Chronicle

Hernando County has four new fire stations planned at an estimated $6.3 million each, as residential growth continues to increase demand for services.

At the same time, construction costs have climbed sharply. One station estimated at $276 per square foot in 2022 ultimately cost $492 per square foot, a 78% increase.

The county is now considering how much new development should contribute toward expanding Fire/EMS capacity. The current impact fee for a new single-family home is $320. One option studied by the county would increase that to $458 while continuing to use other revenue for part of the cost of expansion.

A second calculation puts the fee at $779 if future capacity projects were funded entirely through impact fees. That's above the state's normal phase-in limits, which is why commissioners are considering whether Hernando's growth and rising costs qualify as “extraordinary circumstances.”

The practical question is how much of the infrastructure needed for growth should be paid by new development versus other county revenue.

The second public workshop is scheduled for Aug. 25. No final fee has been adopted.

Sources: Hernando County Fire/EMS Impact Fee Study · Hernando County BOCC — Aug. 11, 2026

During the Aug. 10 City Council meeting, council members discussed what authority the city has over commercial operators and possible ways to strengthen its existing Business Tax Receipt process.

The discussion also touched on a broader program that could potentially involve registration, insurance and training requirements.

One complication is that not every business using Kings Bay operates from inside Crystal River. An operator can potentially come from outside the city, launch elsewhere and still conduct commercial activity on the bay, making it harder for the city to address through rules tied to businesses on land.

But commercial operators are only one part of what's happening on the water.

In a separate interview with the Citrus County Chronicle, a local tour captain pointed to people entering Kings Bay without a professional guide or much knowledge of the rules as another concern.

The captain said guided visitors are taught how to behave around manatees, avoid disturbing eelgrass and use dive flags when appropriate. People entering the water on their own don't necessarily receive that education.

That leaves Crystal River dealing with more than one source of pressure on Kings Bay.

The bay is simultaneously a manatee habitat, restored eelgrass ecosystem, neighborhood waterway, swimming area, boating destination and the foundation of a sizable tourism industry.

The city now has to figure out what it can reasonably regulate — and whether tighter rules for commercial operators alone would actually address the problems it's trying to solve.

Sources: Crystal River City Council meeting, Aug. 10 · Citrus County Chronicle

Brooksville residents Frank and Carol Morsani have donated $5 million to the Tampa General Hospital Foundation to enhance emergency services at TGH Brooksville.

It's the first major philanthropic investment in the hospital since TGH Brooksville, TGH Spring Hill and TGH Crystal River joined Tampa General's nonprofit academic health system in 2023.

TGH hasn't announced exactly how the money will be spent, beyond saying the gift will support emergency services and investments in people, programs and technology.

For Hernando County residents, the important part is pretty simple: $5 million is being directed toward improving emergency care close to home.

That's good news.

Source: Tampa General Hospital

Saturday, Aug. 22 | 11 a.m.–3 p.m. | Homosassa Lions Club

If your ability to keep a houseplant alive has progressed beyond “remember to water it occasionally,” here's your chance to level up.

Admission and parking are free.

Event details → Nature Coast Orchid Society

Saturday, Aug. 22 | 6 p.m. | Citrus Springs Community Center

A Saturday night option for anyone who'd rather hear Walk This Way than actually walk anywhere.

General admission is $25, with $55 VIP tickets available.

Event details → Beach Life Events

Sunday, Aug. 23 | 3 p.m. | First United Methodist Church, Homosassa

The Hernando Harmonizers bring their a cappella and barbershop-style sound to Homosassa, joined by Citrus Blend and 4Real.

Tickets are $20.

Event details → Citrus Chronicle Event

Saturday, Aug. 22 | 7:30–8:30 p.m. | Cedar Key City Park

Bring an old or new costume before Cedar Key's movie night and kids can receive free face painting from a surprise princess along with a Katie's Costume Closet trick-or-treat bag filled with goodies.

The costume drive runs from 7:30 until the movie begins at 8:30 p.m.

Event details → Cedar Key Word of Mouth

Saturday, Aug. 22 | Noon | VFW Post 4864, Citrus Springs

For $20, players can join the fundraiser benefiting VFW Post 4864. Bring canned goods or toiletries for veterans in need and you'll also receive an extra bingo card.

Thanks to a reader for sending this one our way!

That's Issue #2.

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See you next Thursday (or around town).

— Mike
Nature Coast Digest

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