Phosphate Environmental Impact Statement Needed

An Area-Wide Environmental Impact Statement (AEIS) for phosphate mining in the Central Florida Phosphate District was completed in 2013. Several phosphate mining projects are currently being reviewed using the outdated 2013 AEIS.
 
Over 100,000 acres of phosphate mining have already occurred in the Peace River watershed, and nearly 60,000 additional acres of mining are projected to occur. Phosphate companies have an interest in at least 22,375 acres of land in the Myakka River Basin that has not yet been approved for mining. 
 
The 2013 AEIS is deficient in addressing the public health and environmental impacts of phosphate mining, fertilizer production and phosphogypsum waste disposal. An updated regional phosphate environmental impact statement is urgently needed before consideration is given to any additional phosphate mining permits. 
 
ManaSota-88 is concerned with the limited scope of the 2013 AEIS study.  Phosphate mining, phosphogypsum waste disposal, and the operation of a fertilizer manufacturing plant must be linked for cumulative impact analysis. Unfortunately, the 2013 AEIS is insufficient in scope to address all environmental and health issues related to mining permit reviews. Because of the limited scope of the 2013 AEIS, its usefulness in evaluating the social, economic, and environmental impacts the phosphate industry is having in Florida is also limited. 
 
The 2013 AEIS does not begin to address the effects of clay settling areas (toxic slime ponds), the health effects associated with the transportation of phosphate ore and gypsum, the public health and environmental impacts associated with phosphogypsum waste disposal, reagents used in mining and processing ores, and other phosphate wastes.
 
The current permitting review process focuses on the details of a proposed individual mine site without examining the combined impacts of past, present, and future phosphate mining activities within the region. 
 
The cumulative impacts on regional drinking water demands need to be assessed. Even before mining begins, the water resource is changed when all vegetation is stripped from the mining area, natural flow patterns and storage capacities are demolished, as are natural recharge areas. Water pollution from mining water run-off, air pollution, degradation of the water quality of surface and ground waters, and the long-term destruction of natural habitats are possible if additional phosphate mining expansion is approved.
 
Mining destroys natural watersheds and the natural order of the soil's layers from top to bottom of the mined-out zone. Topsoil is obliterated, breaking up the water-holding hard pan underlying the area. Mining alters soil profiles and land contours, thereby permanently changing surface drainage patterns. Reclamation cannot restore these systems. 
 
As phosphate strip mining progresses, there is a reduction in the overall area of wildlife habitat. A significant percentage (30% to 45%) of phosphate mine sites are utilized as toxic slime ponds.
 
Toxic slime ponds have low infiltration, high surface runoff, and little base flow. There is clear and convincing evidence that phosphate mining has had a significant impact on the Peace River. Past phosphate mines have left behind a legacy of toxic slime ponds with soils that are less permeable due to their high clay content. Groundwater recharge and movement through a toxic slime pond are significantly reduced compared to natural conditions.  As early as 1993, it was known that water levels in toxic slime ponds respond more slowly to rainfall recharge.
 
Future phosphate mine discharges will likely degrade the Myakka and Peace Rivers, generate low dissolved oxygen levels, and significantly increase pollutant levels. Phosphate mining activities have the potential to adversely impact downstream waters.
 
Additional requirements are necessary to study the direct and indirect impacts on surface waters, ground waters, upland, wetland, aquatic, and estuarine habitats, listed species, and other natural system features in the Myakka and Peace River Basins.
 
All mining activities that degrade water quality must be prohibited. Because of the potential adverse impacts associated with phosphate mining, it is important to have a clear understanding of the potential adverse impacts to water quality before additional mining begins. 
 
As public awareness of the negative impact of the phosphate industry on the environment and our drinking water supply increases, the need to reduce strip mining will become evident. 
 
Glenn Compton is the Chairman of ManaSota 88, a non-profit organization that has spent over 30 years fighting to protect the environment of Manatee and Sarasota counties.