There have been a number of million-dollar studies conducted to determine the impact of phosphate mining on our waterways. Most present a set of scientific data left for the reader to interpret. Tampa Bay and areas of central Florida are the recipients of over 40,000 jobs and $5 billion of economic impact from the mining industry. Charlotte County has few jobs and an indirect economic impact of fewer than $300 million from mining. Yet a change in the quality or quantity of the Peace River flow could destroy our major industries of tourism (over $2 billion) and agriculture (over $600 million). In short, Tampa Bay likes mining, Charlotte County doesn't. With these two opposite views being driven by economics, we can see how courts and legislators from different regions may have different pressures placed upon them. We can also see why the same data receive differing interpretations.

The Peace River flows over 105 miles from Lakeland to Charlotte Harbor. All data show that the flow has been reduced by over 40 percent in the last 40 years. This impacts sources of drinking water, plant growth, wildlife habitat and most importantly, the balance of salt and fresh water in Charlotte Harbor; one of the nation's most important estuaries. With the current phosphate reserves running out, the mining companies are now looking south for new sites, which brings them ever closer to Charlotte Harbor. The major point of contention is the expansion of the industry southward, specifically the Ona Mine, which is at the headwaters of Horse Creek. Horse Creek provides about 15 percent of the freshwater flow into the Peace River.

A study done by SWIFTMUD concludes that all streams in Florida show a reduction in flow equivalent to the Peace River over the same 40-year time period. The study specifically compares Joshua Creek (no mining) to Haynes Creek (heavily mined) and shows very little difference in the reduced flow. The study maintains that urban development and reduced rainfall account for the 40 percent reduction in flow. Yet there are specific areas of the Peace River which run nearly dry at times, and these areas are right where the mining takes place. Charlotte County Commissioner Adam Cummings argues, "You can't dry up one portion of a river and chalk it up to rainfall." Cummings and his supporters suspect that overpumping the aquifer causes sinks to form and then river flow drops through the holes in the underlying limestone. Also the removal of rock formations and replacement with sand and clay tailings changes the "underground plumbing" and affects runoff and absorption characteristics of the land, impacting the wetlands. Charlotte County has spent $12 million to protect the Peace River from any further impact from mining. The fight has reduced the Ona site from 21,000 acres to 4,000 acres and has added considerations for preservation of wildlife and additional water-quality assurances. However, as the reserves of phosphate continue to be depleted, the mining companies will continue to seek out sites farther south.

Another threat to our environment is the stacks of radioactive phosphogypsum generated as waste products. Every ton of fertilizer produced generates five tons of gypsum. There are stacks as high as 200 feet all over central Florida and approximately 30 tons more are being generated daily. There is no use for this material and the stacks continue to grow. Studies have been made regarding its use as material for a road base. It is estimated that this application would reduce the cost of a highway by up to $300,000 per mile. EPA studies say it is safe. It compares radioactive exposure to someone sitting on the road for 24 hours a day for 70 years and incurring the same amount of radiation as an X-ray. Another use is to apply phosphogypsum as cover in landfills. It seems the sulfur content increases decomposition by up to 50 percent. Opponents to using phosphogypsum argue that having a little radiation is like being a little pregnant. In both potential uses, the federal government opposes using it as it's radioactive half-life is 1600 years and there is no way to track records of its use over that length of time. So the state is now home to over a billion tons of radioactive waste material, growing at 30 million tons a day, with no resolution in sight.

There is no doubt the flows of the Peace River are dwindling. The only conjecture is over the significance of mining among the other contributing causes. As Bishop Harbor knows, ponds of acidic wastewater in earthen berms present an ever-present threat to our rivers and wetlands. The question we face is: Do we want to take the risk by expanding phosphate mining? If Charlotte County received the economic impact the Tampa Bay area receives, our commissioners might view the situation differently. However, mining does very little for us and the downside risks actually threaten our major industries. Further, any harm done to the Charlotte Harbor estuary would be a crime against humanity. So, Charlotte County is being very cautious in how it interprets the data revealed in these studies and is taking a stand to ensure every step is taken to protect the environment as the mines continue their relentless voyage southward. As the vice-president of Mosaic Mines stated, "We have no choice but to go where the phosphate is," and every acre of Horse Creek is under study for phosphate reserves.

One frightening aspect is the fact the mines are being depleted and the industry is projected to die within 30 years. We are down from 20 mining companies to the current three. With berms holding lakes of acidic wastewater, billions of tons of radioactive material sitting in open stacks and promises of land reclamation in the future, we have to worry about which company is going to go bankrupt next and leave us with the mess to clean up. Piney Point and the $160 million cleanup should serve as a warning of the risks.

We don't know the answers to these questions. We also don't really know if mining is causing the reduction in our water flow and changing runoff characteristics. One thing we do know is that our commissioners have spent $12 million attempting to find the answers and protect our waters while searching for the truth. Twelve million dollars is a lot of money, but considering the potential consequences, it seems to be a good investment.

By Bill Hempel