Blasting Concerns | December 2016 Update

CITY OF MIRAMAR RESIDENTS

BLASTING CONCERNS Blasting Effects

Blasting being conducted in northwest Miami-Dade County is of tremendous concern to residents of the City because of the effect such activities have on people and property within the City. Despite the fact that the City banned all blasting within the City in December 1999, the effects of blasting performed by mining companies outside City limits are being felt within Miramar.

The regulation of blasting activities in Florida currently falls under the jurisdiction of the State Fire Marshal’s Office. This provides general information and a summary of the City’s efforts regarding blasting.

FAQs

1. W here is the blasting taking place?

The blasting that has been experienced in our western communities is a result of blasting occurring in Miami-Dade County by several mining companies.

The City of Miramar has not had any blasting occur within its boundaries since December 1999.

The image below displays the general vicinity affected by the blasting taking place.

2. Where do I file a complaint for concerns or damages?

Blasting in Florida currently falls under the jurisdiction of the State Fire Marshal’s Office. To report blasting damages, please contact the Marshal’s Office at 1-800-861-4164, email: fireprevention@fldfs.com or visit www.fldfs.com/sfm. An appointment will be issued.

3. H ow will my complaint be handled?*

Your complaint will be given a tracking number and an investigator will be assigned to investigate your concerns. The investigator will inspect the property and contact people who may have knowledge of the incident and statements will be taken from mining company representatives. The investigator will review the company’s records and gather all the evidence relating to your complaint.

After the investigator has completed the review, a written report of findings will be forwarded to the Division of State Fire Marshal in Tallahassee for evaluation. A determination will be made regarding possible actions to be taken. The Division of State Fire Marshal strives to complete each investigation within 90 days from the date it is filed. * Information provided by Florida Department of Financial Services Division of State Fire Marshal.

4. What is the City of Miramar doing?

The City Commission approved an agreement with Broward County for independent monitoring as done in the past to gather seismic data on the west side of the City. This will allow the City to independently confirm the peak particle velocity (PPV) levels from the mining operations. Two units have been installed and are actively gathering data. Additionally, the City is seeking guidance from the City Attorney, in order to evaluate all of the available legal options to the City as well as requesting the State’s Legislature, thru the City Lobbyist, to lower the blasting PPV limits.

General Blasting Vicinity Map

Nautica Riviera Isles

Vizcaya

General Affected Blasting Vicinity

For more information, visit:

www.fldfs.com/sfm

Blasting

• In 1999, the City of Miramar banned rock mining within the City limits. Rock mining is the primary reason for blasting.

However, White Rock Quarries, a mining company located just south of Miramar in Miami-Dade County, continues to blast in their quarry as allowed by State law.

• The City of Miramar, between 2005 and 2007, entered into an MOU with Broward County for the independent monitoring of the blasting intensity to identify if blasting activity from White Rock exceeded allowable limits (.5 PPV). The monitoring showed that the blasting did not exceed allowable limits. Attached is a link to the Miramar website that gives a history of blasting activities that have impacted the City of Miramar. http://www. ci.miramar.fl.us/engineering/ blasting/ • The City has established communications with White Rock (Johanna Paulino) and receives email notifications daily from them regarding their blasting.

• The blasting activities have become obvious to nearby residents as the activities come

closer to the Miramar residential communities West of I-75.

Although the blasting activities are being conducted in MiamiDade County, it is the State Fire Marshal (SFM) who has authority over the blasting activities.

• Recently, the blasting activities have resulted in nine (9) residents from the City of Miramar contacting the SFM’s office to complain about the blasting intensity. However, as per the SFM, there have been no formal complaints for damages filed from Miramar residents.

• Within the next several months, the City will be using our Architectural Design and Engineering Consulting Services Library to obtain current seismic data on the west side of the City.

This was primarily to establish base-line data for the future C-9 retention basin that will be built by the Army Corp. of Engineers within the City’s western most limits; however, it can also serve to provide independent data to the ongoing White Rock blasting.

• The C-9 project will require blasting and the City anticipates significant impact to the residents

in the surrounding area. It is anticipated that the C-9 project will begin in the next 5 years, but it is contingent on funding appropriations. The City remains engaged with our neighboring cities that will also be affected by this project.

• Linda Drake is a resident of Lakes on the Green in Miami-Dade County and has made several requests with the City of Miramar to participate in notifying the State Legislative Representatives regarding the blasting intensities.

In her latest emails, she states that PPV levels recently are at .395 (we have asked White Rock to verify.) This is still below the SFM allowable limit of .5 by the state.

T here is significant concern for our residents; however, given that none have filed actual claims to the FMO, it appears this may be more of a nuisance for Miramar residents. Ideally, with the C-9 Basin project, it is recommended that we begin to engage the Legislative members of the State and Federal Branches since the State Fire Marshall has sole jurisdiction over blasting matters.

1. For many years, blasting for rock excavation has been taking place in Northwest Miami-Dade County, within several thousand feet of some Miramar homes.

2. It is expected that the blasting at this site will continue for many decades into the future.

3. Many residents of Miramar believe that the blasting has caused damage to their homes and property, as well as emotional distress.

4. Florida requires that no blasting may result in a vibration over .50 peak particle velocity (“ppv�) per inch or create an air blast exceeding 133 decibels.

5. Measurements by independent Miramar seismographs, as well as by White Rock Quarry, consistently show that the current blasting is well below these standards.

6. Past studies conducted outside of Miramar suggest that blasting under these standards will not cause damage to homes; however, none of these studies were done in Miramar, or evaluated current construction methods.

7. In order to protect Miramar residents, the Miramar Commission and staff has developed the following plan of action: a. A possible new independent study of evaluating the effects of the current blasting on Miramar homes, all or a portion of which would be funded by White Rock Quarries. b. Lobby the State to fund the study mandated under F.S. §552.30. c. Negotiate of a Good Neighbor agreement with White Rock Quarries to alleviate the impact of their industry upon area residents, including the following contractual obligations: i. No blasting above .50 ppv. ii. No blasting at night, weekends, or during the two week Christmas holiday period. iii. No blasting more than 3 times per week, per permit/section. iv. Provide schedule and e-mail notifications on the blasting for the week. v. All blasting would utilize directional blasting away from Miramar. vi. Additional community outreach and educational efforts. vii. Improved blast notification process. viii. Improved educational outreach to Miramar residents. ix. Creation job opportunities for Miramar residents.

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