Dear Concerned Citizen of Mining in Florida:

  The next few weeks will be critical for the drinking water and  recreational waters of Southwest Florida. While we are still waiting for a judge's decision on the validity of the environmental impact study of the 4000 acre Ona phosphate mine ( which is really 20,000 acres, but Mosaic Fertilizer Company has asked to mine just a portion because it is easier to get approved), two other mines have surfaced. Both of these mines will impact the Peace River Watershed and our quality of life, economically and environmentally.

    Manatee county commissioners surprised us in April by voting to move forward with a work plan for the 2400 acre Altman mine. This is after several of us spoke directly with some of the commissioners and got their word that this mine would never be allowed in their county because it is a direct violation of their "no loss of wetlands" ordinance. In the meantime, Mosaic was trying to get a settlement with some of the Southwest Florida counties to give very few concessions in exchange for the counties agreeing not to litigate against Mosaic for 30 years. When Mosaic's compact settlement fell through with Sarasota county, we noticed a strange quiet from Mosaic, when in fact they were courting the Manatee commissioners. At the April county commission meeting, Mosaic also
threatened a $400 million lawsuit against the county because they have a right to mine their land and that is the profit they would garner
from this mine's phosphate.

    I realize this wonderful web portal encompasses dirt, rock, sand , and other types of mining.  But the shear acreage and destruction of phosphate mining should make your blood broil. So I need your help to write the commissioners and voice your concern before the vote on June 3rd. The talking points are:
1.      There is not an over riding public benefit for wetlands to be destroyed.
2.      Their comprehensive plan requires endangered and threatened species be protected.
3.      This mine is situated on the headwaters of Horse Creek, the major tributary of the Peace River, where we get our drinking water from and flows into Charlotte Harbor, where our economy depends on a healthy ecosystem.
4.      An areawide cumulative impact study needs to be performed to connect all these 3 impending mine's ( Ona, Altman, S. Ft. Meade expansion) effects, which are in close proximity to each other.
5.   Present reclamation efforts by Mosaic frequently stall and do not return the land            to its premining condition. Especially hard hit by the Altman mine is the loss of mature hardwood wetlands.
 

The commissioner's emails are:

Amy.stein@mymanatee.org
Gwen.brown@mymanatee.org
Jane.vonhahmann@mymanatee.org
Ron.getman@mymanatee.org
Donna.hayes@mymanatee.org
Carol.whitmore@mymanatee.org
Joe.mcclash@mymanatee.org


    The second mine of concern is located in Hardee county, called the S. Ft. Meade Extension, consisting of 10,885 acres. It is an extension of the Ft. Meade mine located in Polk county, just to the North. Once again, we were surprised by the county commissioner's actions. While we expected this poor county to slam dunk a "yes" vote to boost their economy, instead they have taken a 6 week break to have their planning and zoning boards take a deeper look at the proposal. This was thanks to excellent presentations about the problems with mining. They will reconvene on June 6th, and more than likely vote then. So, I need your help to contact these commissioners as well, and give them a piece of your mind.

This is an easy, one email at
bcc@hardeecounty.net . A lady makes hard copies of your email and puts it on their desks, so I'll guarantee they'll see it. The points to
make with them are:
1.      Once again, they will be impacting our drinking and recreating waters.
2.      Mosaic has mining rights on 75% of Hardee county, and this mine permit will set a precedent for the future mines.
3.      Mosaic has a poor reclamation record, and in fact, is asking for a variance of their Ft. Payne mine in Polk county. With less than one month left for their June 1, 2008 deadline, they have asked for a 10 year extension to reclaim over 300 acres of land and 155 acres of clay settling areas.  Hardee county  is the poorest in the state, but after mining, their land will really be worth little.
     4.    An areawide cumulative impact study  needs to be done before any future mining, especially with the three mines proposed in such close proximity to each other.

 Thank you so much for your time and effort.  I owe each of you my
time to help you in your pursuits.

                                                           Regards,
                                                           Helen Jelks King, O.D.

                                                    Phone 941-475-7991

                                                    Email: thekingsom@gmail.com

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This resource focuses on adverse impacts from mining currently not addressed or evaluated by regulatory agencies and municipalities, as well as alternatives to mining and approaches for improved monitoring and evaluation of existing and proposed mine sites and mine-related impacts.  This portal is made possible thanks to the volunteer efforts of scientists, other professionals and citizens.