(2) The site is served by either an existing expressway system or one planned 

 for construction. 



(3) Ready access to highways, airports, or seaports. 



(4) Favorable community attitudes toward industry. 



(5) Potential for new and expanding industries. 



On the basis of these criteria, future industrial development in South- 

 west Florida will probably continue to gravitate to the Tampa Bay area and to 

 a lesser degree in Fort Myers. Under current (1980) conditions, it is 

 unlikely that other cities will have much industrial development in the next 

 decade or two. 



Industries often locate in floodplains, but their attempts to do so 

 usually lead to serious conflicts. According to the Urban Land Institute, 

 "Historically, industrial development followed the course of railroads along 

 the river valleys. Because most of these rail lines are being used and 

 interest in the availability of multimodel transportation is increasing, flood 

 plains remain attractive to the industrial development" (Lochmoeller 1975). 

 This is true in Southwest Florida, and the problem may get worse because of 

 the threat of flooding from hurricane surge and excessive rainfall. 



Another major conflict is the concentration of industrial development 

 along the coast. Much of the land for urban, suburban, and industrial devel- 

 opment is low and subject to tidal surge; consequently, plans for further 

 development of coastal lands should be carefully reviewed. The competition 

 for suitable land for any kind of development is intense, and less expensive, 

 but marginally preferred lands (often valuable marshes that are filled 

 in) sometimes are in demand. 



Other problems for locating industrial sites are the potential exhaustion 

 of freshwater supplies in some areas and the intrusion of saltwater into 

 groundwater supplies along the coast. Continued pumping, particularly 

 increased pumping of groundwater to keep pace with new freshwater demands, 

 could cause severe saltwater intrusion in some areas. 



A recently recognized problem is the potential seepage of toxic wastes 

 from surface impoundments into groundwater. This is of particular concern in 

 areas where chemicals are manufactured. This issue was highlighted in_ a 

 nationwide study on surface impoundment assessments by a congressional commit- 

 tee in 1980 (Florida Department of Environmental Regulation 1980). Based on 

 the probability of deterioration of a retaining structure or lagoon containing 

 toxic or hazardous waste, about 50 sites in Florida have been identified as 

 having a potential for polluting drinking water. Most of these sites are in 

 the Miami-Fort Lauderdale area; only five are in Southwest Florida. As indus- 

 try expands around Tampa Bay, especially chemical manufacturing, the number of 

 storage sites that contain potential hazards to drinking water also will 

 increase. 



It is clear that some urban centers of Southwest Florida are likely to 

 undergo further industrial expansion. Much of the expansion may locate in 

 valuable natural environments unless local controls or permit restrictions 

 prevent it. 



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