Top Issues Protecting water quality and quantity The phosphate industry values clean water - for drinking, for environmental health, for recreation, as irrigation water for our Nation’s farmers, and as an important manufacturing component. Our industry works diligently to protect water quality and quantity.  Phosphate mines and processing facilities recycle more than 90% of the water they use. Since 1990, water management and conservation efforts have allowed us to reduce the amount of water that we pump from underground sources by 50 percent. In addition, we are working with some local governments to use treated wastewater to supplement our mining and processing needs – and are encouraging other local governments to do the same. The Florida Institute of Phosphate Research is funding research to explore ways that our industry can help provide for future water supply needs. Individual companies are investigating ways to help meet future local and regional water demand, including reservoir construction and pilot tests of aquifer augmentation strategies. Recent studies by the Southwest Florida Water Management District and other scientists show that the effect of current mining and reclamation activities on stream flows is minimal. There are minor changes in high- and low-flow levels; however, the magnitude of these changes is so small that it is almost immeasurable a few miles downstream of the mining activities.   Minimizing environmental effects of mining and manufacturing The phosphate industry is regulated under the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and other federal environmental laws. We also must comply with state laws and regulations, and local ordinances governing mining, reclamation and financial assurance. Industry companies have worked with state and local regulators to create an open permitting process for new mines that involves all regulatory agencies from application development through permit issuance.  Opportunities also are provided for public input prior to permit issuance.  Phosphate plants today use the latest technologies, resulting in more efficient phosphate recovery. In addition, state-of-the-art technologies are used in byproduct handling and reclamation.  New gypsum stacks and gypsum stack expansions are required to be built on synthetic liners. When a gypsum stack is closed it must be lined, capped with soil and vegetated. The water discharge permits under which the industry operates require that discharged water must be clean enough for recreational and environmental purposes, and must not affect the public water supply. Because of more stringent regulations and standards, the frequency of unintentional discharges has decreased to the point that they have caused no significant adverse effect on the Peace River over the last 30 years. Preparing for future land uses The Florida phosphate industry understands that mining is a temporary land use. That’s why we are working closer than ever with state and local officials to determine how our reclamation plans can assist in reaching Florida’s goals for habitat protection, economic growth and recreational opportunities. Today, reclaimed land is used as wetlands, lakes, uplands, wildlife habitats, housing developments, farms and pastures, industrial sites, power plants, parks, golf courses and pine tree plantations. Under current mining regulations, wetlands are reclaimed on an acre-for-acre, type-for-type basis using a mix of plants and trees native to the region. Reclamation planning allows for the integration of habitat networks or corridors, which improve wildlife habitat and still allow for traditional uses on other reclaimed lands.  Much of the most sensitive habitat is preserved and, along with some of the reclaimed habitat, protected through conservation easements and deed restrictions that prohibit future development. Through mining and reclamation planning, buffers along stream and river corridors often are incorporated into post-reclamation landscapes. The industry has made significant advances in the reclamation of clay settling areas. Research by the Florida Institute of Phosphate Research shows nutrient-rich clay settling areas can be reclaimed for use as pastures, and for growing a variety of agricultural row crops including corn, zucchini, citrus, native trees, sod and ornamentals. Clay settling areas also have been reclaimed as functioning wetlands. Whether planning for the next industrial park, a new cargo airport, habitat preservation or other types of development, the phosphate industry continues to work with state and local officials to ensure that reclaimed land has viable options for future landowners.
P.O. Box 6116  |  Lakeland, Florida 33807-6116