Mining Impacts to the Human and Natural Environments
A compilation of resources and issues
Phosphate mining
The best resources to keep you up to date about phosphate mining in Southwest Florida are
People for Protecting the Peace River and
Mana-Sota-88 Manatee and Sarasota County 501c3 www.ourphosphaterisk.com
Mosaic’s public education website – www.PhosphateFlorida.com
News and resources regarding phosphate mining:
Scientific Inadequacies of Evaluating Direct, Indirect, and Cumulative Impacts from Phosphate Mining in the Peace River Watershed (EPA State of the Science Conference (for the Area-Wide Environmental Impact Study) Punta Gorda, FL March, 2011)
This map show the state of reclamation in SE Polk County in 2011.
The red areas are old mines that have not been "released" (properly vegetated in post-mining state) Lakeland is not included in this map. The population center on left top is Mulberry. Top right is Bartow and lower right is Ft. Meade. Bear in mind that Florida Statutes define reclamation as a "temporary use of the land."
Mosaic filed a notice of appeal on July 15 with the 11th Circuit regarding our second preliminary injunction which was granted on July 8. That appeal (No. 11-13277-EE) has officially begun with the filing of Mosaic’s Motion for Stay Pending Appeal.
Fluoride: Disposing of Mining Waste Through Your Body: The Human Costs of Forced Filtration (Bradenton Times Aug 15, 2011)
Piney Point 1966-2011: A Retrospective (Bradenton Times June 22, 2011)
Mattresses used on leak at Piney Point (Bradenton.com June 10, 2011)
DEP's Errors at Piney Point (opinion by Glenn Compton Herald Tribune June 10, 2011)
Environmental Groups Seek Second Halt to a Mosaic Phosphate MineMore than 100 phosphate mining jobs are at stake in the dispute. (The Ledger.com June 8, 2011)
Phosphate Fluorides Toxic TortBy Gary Pittman 148 pp. published 2011 available immediately as a .pdf for only $5.99
Gary Pittman and his co-workers were systematically exposed to toxic substances while working for Occidental Chemical Corporation's north Florida phosphoric acid plants and mines. "Phosphate - Fluorides - Toxic Torts" is a personal narrative by Pittman describing his seven-year battle with Occidental while suffering with chemical poisoning, and the obstacles he had to overcome in the pursuit of compensation. Occidental Chemical Corporation was no stranger to Toxic Tort litigation. They were the company named in the 1979 landmark case, “United States v. Occidental,” about the "Love Canal" public health disaster in the late 1970s. In 1995, the “Love Canal” case was still in the courts when Pittman, a co-worker, and attorney, Dorothy Clay Sims took on the mammoth Occidental machine with their legions of law firms. Did Pittman win? Yes and no. When you have your health, you can always make more money, but when you are poisoned and debilitated, there's not enough money in the world to buy back your health.
The 2011 Area-Wide EIS for Phosphate Mining Webpage (USACOE)
The 1978 Environmental Impact Statement (Final) Central Florida Phosphate Industry
Army Corps Tries to Assess Impacts of Sprawling Phosphate Operations in Fla. (NY Times Apr 14, 2011)
Environmental Impact of Phosphate Mining (WGCU radio story March 30. 2011)
Demers, Nora E Scientific Inadequacies of Evaluating Direct, Indirect, and Cumulative Impacts from Phosphate Mining in the Peace River Watershed (EPA State of the Science Conference (for the Area-Wide Environmental Impact Study) Punta Gorda, FL March, 2011)
Mosaic Faces Off with Environmental Groups over Florida Mine (NASDAQ Ian Berry Dow Jones Newswires)
US EPA letter to ACOE advocate for an Area-Wide EIS (March 10, 2010)
Mosaic's "Phos-Fate': Florida Mine Battle Looms (by Scott Eden Mar 10, 2011 The Street)
"The future of the Florida phosphate industry could hang in the balance early next month when a federal appeals court in Atlanta convenes to hear a set of arguments that pits two ancient adversaries -- environmentalists vs. big business"....
The Fluoride Deception exposes the truth about water fluiridation and the phosphate mining industry (by Health Ranger 2/28/2011 Natural News)
A Critique of the Peace River Stewardship Program (by William A. Dunson, Emeritus Prof. of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, Aug. 1, 2008)
Phosphate lawsuit: In hard-hit Hardee County, it's wetlands vs. jobs By Steve Huettel and Craig Pittman, Times Staff Writers In Print: Sunday, November 21, 2010
Architects Doak, Coore-Crenshaw desgin courses at new Florida resort (on Phosphate mining reclaimed land) Nov 16th, 2010 (examiner.com)
See 3PR for the latest news about the lawsuit stopping Mosaic mining and an upcoming EIS for phosphate mining Fall, 2010
Mosaic Fertilizer, LLC and Desoto County have prepared an application to amendment the Future Land Use Map (FLUM) to create an overlay category identifying lands with a high potential for Phosphate Mining. Supporting policies regulating density, intensity and permitted uses within the overlay are included as an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Element text. The proposed overlay includes lands not owned by Mosaic Fertilizer LLC or their subsidiaries. The overlay is approx. 24,000 +/- acres and located west of the Peace River and the city limits of Arcadia and covers an area to the Manatee/DeSoto County line, often referred to as the PINE LEVEL area. Portions of the overlay are approx. 3 miles or greater north of SR70 and approx. 2 miles south of SR72.
Hardee County Commissioners Hand Over 3600 Acres of Citrus Groves to Mosaic (April 14, 2010 Edition of the Wauchula Herald Advocate)
Phosphate's mining of water scars region (Special To The Tampa Tribune, by JOHN REHILL February 28, 2010) Read the entire submission
Protect Peace River from strip-mining (St. Petersburg Times Editorial Saturday, February 27, 2010)
People for protecting the Peace River's letter of August 21, 2009 review, comments, and questions regarding CF Industries' South Pasture Mine Extension, in Hardee County, Florida, submitted to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
People for Protecting Peace River recently file this suit against Hardee County and Mosaic Mine regarding the August 14, 2008 Resolution 08-19 Development Approval for a DRI for the S. Fort Meade Mine.
Hardee County Mining on You Tube- most recent Phosphate mining decision now delayed until June 30th, 2008 (from June 5th, '08)
Monsanto rounds up support, dissent for Idaho (phosphate) mine (Aug 8, 2009 WHEC.com)
The Fluoride Action Network - this site has details about phosphate mining that are very useful and graphic
See the GREATER YELLOWSTONE COALITION issues pages for more details
http://www.smokycanyon.com/scm/pdfs/GYC_Dismissal.pdf
http://www.greateryellowstone.org/issues/issue.php?threatID=14
Conservation Groups File Lawsuit on Expansion of Polluted Mine (Sept, 2008)
(Idaho Falls, ID) -- Four conservation groups have filed a lawsuit to challenge the controversial expansion of the Smoky Canyon phosphate mine. The groups are concerned that expansion of the mine—which is already listed as a federal Superfund site due to toxic pollution in area waters—will only create more pollution of southeast Idaho springs and streams. The plaintiffs in the lawsuit, Greater Yellowstone Coalition, Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club, and Defenders of Wildlife are represented by the public-interest law firm, Earthjustice.
LAND USE SUITABILITY INDEX FOR USE IN HARDEE COUNTY Prepared by: CENTRAL FLORIDA REGIONAL PLANNING COUNCIL November 14, 2002
this very important study partially describes some of the 'substantial alterations' in watershed soils that would significantly alter surficial aquifer recharge, surface and base flow to wetlands, streams and rivers that provide Hardee County's potable water and maintain the ecological integrity and productivity of the Charlotte Harbor estuary.
Proposed mining limit from Mosaic in black hatched mark (current mines in green):
People protecting the Peace River's letter of March 31, 2009 requesting a 90-day extension regarding Mosaic's request for a "minor modification" to the Old Colony Wetland Resource Permit 146465-001 so that additional study can be done.
Department of Environmental Protection Notice of Intent to Issue a Variance to Mosaic Fertilizer, LLC Payne Creek Mine, file number 0139109-010-EV-VR, located in Polk and Hardee Counties (March 5, 2009)
USEPA Letter to Army Corp of Engineer regarding continued concern about North Carolina Phosphate Mine proposal (July 23, 2008)
Sulfur Leak injures 20 in Bartow (October 17, 2008,The Ledger) The Mosaic Phosphate Plant in Polk County at 3200 State Road 60 West- 11 people were admitted to the hospital for sulfur dioxide inhalation.
Court Weighs Environmental Price of mining (St. Petersburg Times at Tampa Bay.com Oct 12, 2008). You have to 'dig deeper' to get the rest of the story- examine the efforts of the NGO's for more about the fights going on by the people trying to protect and preserve your environment for future generations.
While the St. Pete's time journalist, Craig, always does a good, balanced story, there remains concern about the emphasis, throughout the litigations, that has been put on the upstream wetland impacts and their inability to create successful mitigation wetlands. While this is very important in getting right to the heart of their inability to meet State wetland permitting requirements and might help regarding water quality ...it would be valuable if more is said about the much bigger issue........how mining permanently destroys the hydro-geologic structure (plumbing) of the watershed....with
1 - many thousands of acres of 'reclaimed' mined lands ending up several feet lower than pre-mining elevations and/or as lakes, and ....
2 - many thousands of acres ending up as 60-80 foot thick layers of impermeable clay that permanently destroy surficial aquifer recharge and base flow......
......both which capture runoff, increase evaporation and reduce billions and billions of gallons of flows to the streams and estuary.........
.......point is that someday they might be able to convince the agencies or judges they can achieve some 'acceptable' level of wetland mitigation.....but they will never be able to avoid or mitigate the far more serious destruction of the watershed plumbing.......
People for Protecting Peace River recently file this suit against Hardee County and Mosaic Mine regarding the August 14, 2008 Resolution 08-19 Development Approval for a DRI for the S. Fort Meade Mine.
Updates: Altman Mine Permit- Both Manatee and Hardee county are not satisfied with their current permits so they have both postponed their meetings on this until July 31 and June 30th, respectively. Here is an email that summarizes Manatee county decision. Hardee just struck it from the agenda saying they were not satisfied with the economic forecast and are gathering more information.
Altman Mines in Manatee County threaten 2400 acres; Ft Meade Mine in Hardee could encompass over 10,000 acres. Respond before June 3rd 2008 to ask local commissioners to protect our natural resources- civic engagement is needed to protect Manatee and Hardee County from the invasion of the mines- your community may be next. Details about who to contact are here.
Is it legal for additional documents to be provided after a hearing? (Hardee County issue- June, 2008)
Updates: Altman Mine Permit- Both Manatee and Hardee county are not satisfied with their current permits ( sigh, some relief), so they have both postponed their meetings on this until July 31 and June 30th, respectively. Here is an email that summarizes Manatee county decision. Hardee just struck it from the agenda saying they were not satisfied with the economic forecast and are gathering more information. You may certainly post this to your web, and thanks to all concerned folks who wrote the commissioners!
Hardee County Planning & Zoning Board postponed its meeting to approve an 11,000-acre phosphate mine-
some concerns are being raised about reopening the
Hardee County Mining on You Tube- most recent Phosphate mining decision now delayed until June 30th, 2008 (from June 5th, '08)
Ambitious Project Aims To Get Peace River Flowing Again (Nicole White Tampa Tribune 5/30/08) Decades of pumping the ground for nearby farms, phosphate mines and home faucets, coupled with two years of unusually dry weather, have turned a 20-mile stretch of the Peace River into a cracked, sandy bed. For almost a third of the year, little or no water flows.
Take action- Manatee County Citizen Rally May 29th Read about one family's fight to protect the Little Manatee Basin.
STORY ABOUT RALLY (Tampa Bay's 10 May 29, 2008)- claims NIMBYism rather than citizens working for sustainable future.
Listen to this NPR report (May 29, 2008). Are Organic Tomatoes Better? by Allison Aubrey about how conventionally grown (highly-over-fertilized) tomatoes have far fewer nutrients than organically grown foods. Commissioners decide June 3rd.
Here's the dirt: Phosphate's Hot (published by the Tampa Tribune May 22, 2008)
Altman Mines in Manatee County threaten 2400 acres; Ft Meade Mine in Hardee could encompass over 10,000 acres.
Respond before June 3rd 2008 to ask local commissioners to protect our natural resources- civic engagement is needed to protect Manatee and Hardee County from the invasion of the mines- your community may be next. Details about who to contact are here.
Kissengen Spring among the lost resources in the Charlotte-Sun Herald May 18, 2008
Top ten polluter's list from the EPA- Mosaic Mines takes several spots-
see Manasota-88's May 2008 newsletter for details
| Issues with reservoirs for water storage- from former EPA scientist (2005) |
Mosaic’s
public education website –
www.PhosphateFlorida.com
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| Phosphate mine permits hits speed bump at 90 mph (Wauchula, April 29, 2008) |
www.ourphosphaterisk.com- maintained by
Manasota-88
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Is phosphate institute biased? phosphate mining as a temporary land use Sun-Herald article by Greg Martin Environmentalists see little benefit in mining research This is the first installment of a three-part story on the Florida Institute of Phosphate Research. 04/08/08
Phosphate mine closer to approvalManatee commissioners vote in favor of order to let Mosaic mine Altman TractPublished Tuesday, April 15, 2008 at 4:30 a.m.
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Environmental Radiation Date: Apr 2, 2008 6:26 PM http://www.doh.state.fl.us/Environment/radiation/envrad1.htm Phosphate Mining Florida has several large phosphate deposits that have been mined since the turn of the century. These deposits contain varying concentrations of uranium and thorium. Although generally the radiation dose received from these concentrations is insignificant, the dose can become significant if the concentration increases through mining the ore, if the radionuclides dissolve in drinking water, or if they build up in structures on the deposits. To monitor this situation, the department takes soil, air, and water samples from the land both before and after the mining occurs and measures the radiation levels. |
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The Ungreening of America: Down Upon the Suwannee River Mother Jones (2003) It was only a small environmental rule change by Bush's EPA. But it's threatening Florida's Suwannee River -- and the nation's wetlands.—By Ted Williams |
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Return to compilation of resources and issues
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.
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Last updated June 26, 2011
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