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General News
09/29/2013

ManaSota 88 Requests EPA Site Investigation at Piney Point

Published By: The Bradenton Times

Environmental group Manasota 88 has officially requested that the EPA conduct a site investigation at Piney Point, a former phosphate mining site where a ripped liner lead to millions of gallons of hazardous discharge into local waters in 2011. The group says that the Florida Department of Environmental Protection has failed to safeguard the former plant and hopes federal involvement will lead to a more environmentally-sound outcome.

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General News
09/29/2013

A federal case at Piney Point

Published By: Sarasota Herald Tribune

ManaSota-88, a local, nonprofit environmental group, recently made that plea to federal regulators.

Specifically, ManaSota-88 asked the federal EPA's Atlanta office to examine operations at -- and state oversight of -- the phosphate-waste mountains and enormous pools of polluted water at Piney Point.

The formal request seeks an EPA investigation of a 680-acre site in northwest Manatee County.

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General News
09/25/2013

ManaSota-88 seeks EPA site investigation at Piney Point

Published By: Bradenton Herald

Local environmentalists have asked the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to investigate whether its water quality requirements are being met at Piney Point, where almost 170 million gallons of contaminated water cascaded into Bishop Harbor two years ago.

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General News
05/12/2013

Phosphate mining damages environment, but also drives economy, study finds

Published By: Bradenton Herald

Environmentalists criticized the report, saying it is too narrow in scope to adequately address complex environmental issues, said Glenn Compton, chairman of ManaSota-88 Inc., a local nonprofit environmental research group. "Because of the limited ...

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General News
08/24/2012

Florida state agency review of Piney Point oversight must address questions

Published By: Bradenton Herald

At the request of the ManaSota-88 environmental watchdog organization, Florida's Department of Environmental Protection is opening an internal investigation into the agency's botched handling of Piney Point. With a fresh spill of contaminated water looming, the agency's oversight of last year's Port Manatee dredging project and HRK Holdings LLC's Piney Point water storage site has begged for review for months.

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General News
08/22/2012

State begins internal inquiry into handling of Piney Point operation

Published By: Bradenton Herald

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection's inspector general office has opened a preliminary inquiry into the agency's handling of Piney Point.

The review comes in response to a formal request for an internal investigation two weeks ago by local environmental advocacy group ManaSota-88.

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General News
08/13/2012

Water level at Piney Point raises concerns

Published By: Sarasota Herald Tribune

The environmental nightmare known as Piney Point is back.

Contaminated water is again rising to uncomfortable levels at the former Piney Point fertilizer plant near Tampa Bay, renewing concerns about potential leaks to area waterways.

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General News
08/07/2012

ManaSota-88 seeks investigation of state's role in Piney Point toxic spill

Published By: Bradenton Herald

An environmental advocacy group has requested the Florida Department of Environmental Protection open an internal investigation into the agency's handling of Piney Point.

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General News
07/31/2012

Scientists lambaste phosphate mining report

Published By: Sarasota Herald Tribune

Several environmental scientists from area government agencies blasted a new federal report on Florida phosphate mining, saying it is fatally flawed and should be rewritten.

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General News
06/17/2012

Study of phosphate mining's impact stirs industry's critics

Published By: Sarasota Herald Tribune

It paints an astonishingly rosy picture of phosphate mining. ... look and function if all 267109 acres of mineable land in Central Florida were excavated.

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General News
03/03/2012

Amid lawsuit fears, Manatee OKs mine expansion

Published By: Sarasota Herald Tribune

Glenn Compton, chair of the environmental group ManaSota-88, said destroying wetlands near the head of the Myakka River could hardly be mitigated."It's the worst place they could have located a phosphate mine in the state of Florida, but there it is," Compton said. "To extend an existing mistake is inexcusable."

As for the legal concerns, Compton said, "The commissioners are there to protect the interests of the public and environment, not a corporation and its profit margins."

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General News
02/26/2012

Ernst: Save taxes, pay Sierra Club to protect Florida

Published By: Sarasota Herald Tribune

Florida legislators didn't want private companies running state prisons, but why not hire the Sierra Club to take over some of the environmental regulatory work handled by state bureaucracies such as the Department of Environmental Regulation?

The idea is not as crazy as it sounds. Sierra Club Florida, People for Protecting Peace River (3PR) and Manasota-88 just negotiated additional protections for the Peace River watershed from Mosaic, the phosphate giant.

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General News
02/22/2012

The battle over phosphate mining has shifted

Published By: Sarasota Herald Tribune

By Kate Spinner When Southwest Florida local governments gave up the fight four years ago against a phosphate mine that could have threatened the regional water supply, three small environmental groups pressed on. The groups' persistence paid off ...

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General News
03/13/2011

Mosaic's Phos-fate: Florida Mine Battle Looms

Published By: The Street

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General News
02/08/2011

Group files concerns to DEP on mine

Published By: Bradenton.com

A local environmental protection organization has filed concerns with state agencies over a Manatee County phosphate mine.

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General News
02/07/2011

Mosaic files permit for more mining

Published By: Bradenton.com

The Mosaic Co. is seeking to extend its mining rights in Manatee County.

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General News
02/07/2011

Peak Oil is Nothing Compared to Peak Phosphorus

Published By: Think of Thwim

Believe it or not, peak phosphorus is probably our biggest global emergency, but I don’t hear anyone talking about it.

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General News
02/07/2011

Manasota-88 files concerns to FDEP on local phosphate mine Read more: http://www.bradenton.com/2011

Published By: Bradenton.com

A local environmental protection organization has filed a six-page letter to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection outlining its concerns with Mosaic’s Wingate mine.

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General News
01/25/2011

Mosaic Pays Big for Young Putnam's Cake

Published By: TheLedger.com

The 9-year-old daughter of Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam bakes one delicious chocolate hazelnut cake. The Mosaic Co., a fertilizer company and one of the county's largest employers, paid a record $10,000 for Abigail Putnam's cake at the Polk County Youth Fair Auction on Tuesday.

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General News
01/11/2011

Appeals court rebuffs mining opponents

Published By: Bradenton.com

The legal battle over Mosaic Fertilizer’s plans to expand its Four Corners phosphate mine has ended in state court, but will continue in federal court.

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General News
01/06/2011

Manatee's environmental scourge recast as asset

Published By: Herald Tribune

Across U.S. 41 from the Port of Manatee, a large grassy hill looms unnaturally over the flat landscape, overshadowing a cluster of new industrial silos. No trace remains of the fertilizer plant that operated here for 40 years, or of the company that drove it into bankruptcy and left behind a $144 million environmental disaster for taxpayers to shoulder.

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General News
11/30/2010

Miners Dig In for a Fight

Published By: The Wall Street Journal

The phosphate mined for more than a century here in central Florida to make fertilizer has yielded thousands of jobs and countless harvests around the world. But environmental groups are arguing in federal court that the cornucopia extracts too high a price in lost wetlands, spoiled water supplies and ruined farmland.

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General News
11/23/2010

A Hidden Cost of Farming

Published By: http://www.onearth.org

When Don Mavinic looks at cow manure he sees a puzzle in need of a solution. There's phosphorus locked in there, and the world is desperate for it.

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General News
11/19/2010

Mosaic to Briefly Open Mine

Published By: The Ledger

Some 140 phosphate mine workers will see a brighter Christmas holiday after being called back to work for about four more months.

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General News
09/05/2010

Mosaic Closing Exposes Flaw in the System

Published By: The Bradenton Times

There are many drawbacks to a weak economy rife with unemployment. For those struggling to find work, they are of course obvious. We live in a market-based economy that relies on ever increasing consumption, so whenever unemployment rises and spending decreases, the economy tends to contract, often leading to further cutbacks in employment and reduced consumer confidence because of anxiety over whether any of our jobs are safe. It is indeed a vicious cycle.

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General News
09/01/2010

DeSoto’s mining overlay draws fire

Published By: DeSoto Sun

DESOTO COUNTY — The Florida Department of Community Affairs has objected to proposed changes to DeSoto County’s Future Land Use map. The DeSoto County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously on May 25 to seek state approval of a map overlay that specifically defines where in the county a company may make an application to mine phosphate.

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General News
08/11/2010

Billboard catching eyes in North Port

Published By: mysuncoast.com

Driving through North Port on I-75 you will see a new sign greeting you. Not a welcome sign, but a billboard condemning the phosphate industry. A local group is paying for the billboard which says the industry doesn't feed the world rather it pollutes it.

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Action Alerts
08/09/2010

Phosphate Environmental Impact Statement Needed

Published By: ManaSota-88

A regional phosphate environmental impact statement needs to be done by the Army Corps of Engineers before consideration is given to any additional phosphate mine permits. The current 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.

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General News
08/06/2010

CF Industries to spend $12 million to settle federal complaint of improper waste handling

Published By: Tampa Bay Online

PLANT CITY - CF Industries has agreed to spend about $12 million to improve the way it handles and manages hazardous waste at a large fertilizer plant north of the city, federal officials said today.

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General News
08/06/2010

Fertilizer Manufacturer Fined for Improperly Disposing of Hazardous Wastes

Published By: Industry Week

Phosphoric acid and ammoniated fertilizer manufacturer, CF Industries Inc., willl spend $12 million to implement facility-wide operational changes.

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General News
08/06/2010

CF Industries Reaches Agreement Resolving EPA Notice of Violation

Published By: Market Watch

DEERFIELD, Ill., Aug 06, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (CF 83.55, -0.76, -0.90%) today announced that it has agreed on the terms of a consent decree with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection involving compliance with the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). The agreement resolves a Notice of Violation (NOV) issued in 2005 that alleged that certain practices at the company's Plant City, Florida phosphate complex violated RCRA. The consent decree will not be final until it has been approved by a federal court.

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General News
07/30/2010

Judge Bans Mosaic Mine Expansion, Layoffs To Be Evaluated

Published By: The Ledger

A federal judge ruled Friday to ban the Mosaic Co. from expanding its South Fort Meade Mine until the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reviews less environmentally damaging alternatives to the project.

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General News
07/03/2010

Judge tells Mosaic to halt work at site near Peace River

Published By: HeraldTribune.com

A federal judge has halted work at a 10,800-acre site in Hardee County that would bring mining closer to the Peace River and Charlotte Harbor watershed.

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General News
07/03/2010

Judge halts Mosaic mining in Hardee

Published By: Bradenton.com

A federal judge has ordered Mosaic Co. to stop work at a recently permitted mine in Hardee County, citing “likely” damage to the Peace River and Charlotte Harbor if strip mining begins there.

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General News
07/03/2010

Judge halts Mosaic mine

Published By: Charlotte Sun

A federal judge Thursday temporarily halted the Mosaic Company from strip mining on its 11,884-acre South Fort Meade Extension tract, in response to a motion for a restraining order in a lawsuit filed Tuesday by the Sierra Club and two other local environmental organizations.

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General News
06/25/2010

Army Corps to conduct watershed summary

Published By: Charlotte Sun

After 13 years of prodding by environmentalists and politicians, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has decided to conduct a comprehensive study of the cumulative impacts of phosphate mining on the entire Peace River watershed.

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General News
06/17/2010

Court: Fishermen can sue over Hillsborough Bay pollution

Published By: Tampa Bay Online

TAMPA - The Florida Supreme Court said Thursday that fishermen whose livelihoods are damaged by pollution may sue the companies responsible.

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General News
05/08/2010

Renewed worries over plan for phosphate mine

Published By: HeraldTribune.com

Renewed worries about the impact of future phosphate mining have prompted city officials to consider asking state and federal regulatory agencies to assess the potential risks phosphate mining would have on the area's water supply.

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General News
04/24/2010

Mining eyed upstream

Published By: Charlotte Sun

The DeSoto County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing May 4 to clear the way for future phosphate mining near Pine Level.

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General News
03/17/2010

EPA sets scope for mining study

Published By: Charlotte Sun

Calling the Peace River watershed an "important and environmentally sensitive mining region," the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency again called for a comprehensive regional impact study on phosphate strip mining within the watershed this week.

Read More »

 
General News
02/27/2010

Protect Peace River from strip-mining

Published By: tampabay.com

A dramatic new phase of phosphate mining along the Peace River in Southwest Florida is in the works, raising concerns about whether government will effectively protect the source of drinking water for 700,000 Floridians.

Read More »

 
General News
02/18/2010

Mosaic won't buy rights to Charlotte stadium

Published By: Herald Tribune

The county's baseball stadium will continue to be called Charlotte Sports Park after the Tampa Bay Rays and the Mosaic Co. announced Wednesday that they had reconsidered a naming rights deal.

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General News
02/11/2010

The Story of P(ee) – In which phosphorus, a substance present in every living cell, is being used

Published By: Miller-McCune

“P” is for phosphorus, the stuff of life, and “p” is for “peak phosphorus” by 2030, ecologists say, unless — presto! — pee can be turned into gold through modern-day alchemy.

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General News
02/10/2010

Tampa Bay Rays pull Charlotte naming rights off meeting agenda after objections

Published By: tampabay.com

For years, Tampa Bay's Major League Baseball team was bedeviled by public relations disasters.

Its former owner raged at police after they pulled over his wife. The team shunned a charity fundraiser because it wasn't at Tropicana Field. Officials ejected a Mets scout from the stadium for using the owners' bathroom.

Getting a new owner and dropping the word "Devil" from the Tampa Bay Rays' name was supposed to signal a new day. But names can be tricky things.

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General News
02/10/2010

Rays' spring naming-rights deal meets heavy resistance

Published By: tbo.com

The Charlotte County Commission met Tuesday morning to decide 'yea' or 'nay' on the new name for the Tampa Bay Rays spring training site in Port Charlotte, but the matter never came to a vote.

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General News
02/05/2010

3PR, Sierra Club (Charlotte) and County Commissioner Object to Tampa Bay Rays Deal With Strip Miner

“It’s an outrageous slap in the face,” says longtime Charlotte County Commissioner Adam Cummings. “For years we fought Mosaic’s efforts to expand strip mining in the Peace River Basin. We spent $12 million doing it. Now the Tampa Bay Rays want to put the Mosaic name on our sports center. It’s as if Mosaic is going to get the naming rights for Florida Field and change its name from the “Swamp” to the “Clay Pit” because that is what they do to natural wetlands.”

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General News
01/26/2010

EPA Mosaic Comment Letter

Click below to read the EPA Mosaic comment letter:

EPA Mosaic Comment Letter

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General News
01/03/2010

Phosphate industry earmarks draw fire

Published By: The Ledger

An environmentental group called Manasota 88 has raised an interesting question about the transparency of U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam’s Congressional earmarks when it comes to the phosphate industry.

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General News
12/16/2009

HAMILTON COUNTY: Spill contaminates groundwater at PCS

Published By: Suwannee Democrat

An estimated 84 million gallons of contaminated processed water from PCS's Swift Creek plant was released into groundwater through a sinkhole discovered last Thursday between 3-4 p.m., according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and PCS spokesman Mike Williams.

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General News
12/15/2009

Mosaic ad campaign hides the truth about phosphate mining

Published By: HeraldTribune.com

Recently many Florida newspapers carried a 12-page advertising supplement from The Mosaic Co. with images of happy families and wildlife. Mosaic is the large Minnesota-based corporation which operates almost all of the phosphate mines in Central Florida.

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General News
12/14/2009

Sinkhole near White Springs prompts well tests

Published By: Jacksonville.com

Wells near White Springs in Hamilton County are being tested for contamination after 84 million gallons of water from a fertilizer plant flooded a sinkhole, a state spokeswoman said Sunday.

Read More »

 
General News
11/30/2009

Mosaic Co. to permanently close two idled Florida plants

Published By: Tampabay.com

Mosaic Co., a major producer of potash and fertilizer in southeastern Hillsborough and Polk counties, said Monday it will permanently close two plants idled in 2006 and write off additional machinery and equipment for a total write-down of about $50 million.

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General News
10/12/2009

Mosaic gives up permit for Mulberry acid plant

Published By: Charlotte Sun

BARTOW – Mosaic Fertilizer agreed this week to give up its permit for a now-closed sulfuric acid production plant in Mulberry in partial settlement of a Clean Air Act action filed in federal court in New Orleans.

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General News
06/17/2009

King of Rock

Published By: Forbes.com

The wealth of Morocco's monarch is up $1 billion over the past year as phosphate prices soared.

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General News
06/15/2009

CF promises 'stewardship' in new mine

ONA -- CF Industries, on its next phosphate mine, will be required to preserve as much of the natural streams and wetlands as feasible and replace those resources destroyed acre-for-acre, according to a Florida Department of Environmental Protection official.

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General News
05/30/2009

CF proposes new phosphate mine

Published By: Charlotte Sun

The Charlotte Harbor estuary will have a new phosphate mine in its watershed if CF Industries' recent application for a 7,500-acre mine wins approval.

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General News
03/09/2009

Lee County opposes phosphate mine law

Published By: HeraldTribune.com

The Mosaic Co. spent six years in court defending its state permits for the 4,200-acre Ona mine near the Peace River. But when Lee and Sarasota counties contested a similar permit for a mine twice the size last year, the case catapulted through the judicial system in six months.

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General News
02/18/2009

Manatee and Mosaic sued over mine expansion

Published By: HeraldTribune.com

A legal team with a successful track record of defending the environment sued the county and the Mosaic Co. on Tuesday to block expansion of a phosphate mine.

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General News
02/18/2009

Mining opponents sue county

Published By: bradenton.com

Mining opponents sued Manatee County and Mosaic Fertilizer on Tuesday, contending county commissioners wrongly approved the company’s plans to mine the 2,048-acre Altman Tract near Duette.

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General News
02/05/2009

A Deadly Cycle

Published By: tampabay.com

Every summer, a massive dead zone forms in the Gulf of Mexico. Last year, the dead zone was its second largest ever at 8,000 square miles, roughly the size of New Jersey. The EPA commissioned a study to research its cause. Florida's phosphate industry plays a role.

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General News
02/05/2009

Mining proposal back before county today

Published By: BradentonHerald.com

Mosaic Co.’s eight-year effort to win Manatee County approval to mine a 2,048-acre tract for phosphate could end today. Opponents, though, are vowing to extend the fight — possibly in court.

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General News
02/02/2009

From state mines to gulf dead zone: the trail of Florida phosphate

Published By: tampabay.com

For a good example of the law of unintended consequences, look no further than the nationwide push to promote ethanol. Ten years ago, federal officials became concerned that a common gasoline additive called MTBE, which reduces air pollution, turned out to be a carcinogen, causing major water pollution problems.

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General News
01/16/2009

Mine plan OK'd in about-face

Published By: HeraldTribune.com

Fearing the county could lose a $617.8 million lawsuit, the Manatee County Commission voted Thursday to reverse a previous decision and approve an expansion of Mosaic Fertilizer's phosphate mine in Duette.

Read More »

 
General News
01/16/2009

Manatee may allow phosphate mine

Published By: Charlotte Sun

Editor: On Jan. 15, the Manatee County Board of Commissioners, under the pressure of a threatened lawsuit, intend to allow a phosphate mine on the Altman tract.

Read More »

 
General News
01/15/2009

Manatee Commission approves Mosaic mining expansion

Published By: HeraldTribune.com

Fearing a $618 million lawsuit, Manatee County commissioners today voted 5-2 to approve a plan by phosphate giant Mosaic to begin mining a 2,000 acre parcel in northeast Manatee.

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General News
01/15/2009

County reverses stance on Mosaic mining plan

Published By: BradentonHerald.com

Despite the pleas of more than two dozen opponents, Manatee County commissioners reversed course today and gave the first set of approvals to Mosaic Co. to mine the Altman Tract for phosphate.

Read More »

 
General News
12/20/2008

Judge urges EPA to OK phosphate mine permit

Published By: news-press.com

An administrative judge has ruled against Lee and Sarasota counties' request to stop a permit to extend phosphate mining into Hardee County.

Read More »

 
General News
12/16/2008

Manatee to reconsider mine decision

Published By: HeraldTribune.com

Fearing a $618 million lawsuit, Manatee County commissioners agreed today to reopen public hearings on phosphate giant Mosaic’s plan to mine a 2,000 acre parcel in North Manatee.

Read More »

 
General News
12/16/2008

New factors affect Mosaic suit

Published By: HeraldTribune.com

A lot has changed since the Mosaic Co. said in late September that it would sue Manatee County for $618 million. Global economic conditions have continued to erode. Financial outlooks for local governments have deteriorated further. And two new Manatee County commissioners have taken office.

Read More »

 
General News
12/16/2008

Protect our water

Published By: bradenton.com

When the Manatee County Commission refused in September to grant Mosaic a permit to mine the Altman Tract, we hailed the decision to protect pristine wetlands that feed the river that supplies water for a quarter million people in southwest Florida.

Read More »

 
General News
12/16/2008

Manatee County Commission reverses vote on Mosaic plan

Published By: wmnf.org

Despite protestations by environmentalists, the Manatee County Commission today voted to reverse its September denial of a 2,000 acre mining project in the Peace River Basin.

Read More »

 
General News
12/16/2008

Mosaic Mine Advances

Published By: publicbroadcasting.net

Two of the Manatee County commissioners who had opposed the Mosaic mine earlier this year are no longer in office. That was reflected in a five-to-two vote opening the way for the world's largest phosphate processor to begin digging a 2,000-acre tract.

Read More »

 
General News
12/12/2008

Mining project may find new life

Published By: HeraldTribune.com

MANATEE COUNTY - Facing a $618 million lawsuit from the world's biggest phosphate mining company, Manatee County may reverse its denial of a 2,000-acre mining project in the Peace River Basin.

Read More »

 
General News
11/10/2008

Plunging stocks crimp Mosaic's growth plan

After soaring stock price gains earlier this year, the Mosaic Company is taking a financial hit that has crimped its plans to increase phosphate production in Southwest Florida.

Read More »

 
General News
10/25/2008

County appeals secret meeting ruling

Published By: Charlotte Sun

The Mosaic Fertilizer company won the first round in its lawsuit aimed at forcing the Charlotte County attorney to release a transcript of a closed-door County Commission meeting held to discuss litigation against the company. But Mosaic probably won't win the next round, according to County Attorney Janette Knowlton.

Read More »

 
General News
10/13/2008

Charlotte County argues Ona appeal

Published By: Charlotte Sun

Litigation proliferates over phosphate mining. To strip mine phosphate in Central Florida these days, Mosaic Fertilizer needs lots of land, digging machines and, apparently, lawyers. With representation from three law firms based in Tampa, Orlando and Tallahassee, Mosaic is defending itself against a spate of lawsuits and permit challenges under way simultaneously in four counties.

Read More »

 
General News
10/12/2008

Court weighs environmental price of mining

Published By: tampabay.com

For nearly three hours, the lawyers argued. Every time they opened their mouths, all the dusty conflicts of the past eight years came crashing through.

But this fight was for the future.

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General News
10/08/2008

Environmentalists Score Phosphate Mine Victory

Published By: media newswire

Bradenton, FL -- Earthjustice scored a major win today when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers suspended a permit that gave Mosaic Phosphate the go-ahead to destroy 480 acres of high-quality wetlands within the Peace River watershed. "This permit suspension is a victory for the people of Manatee County and everyone who lives in the Peace River basin" said Earthjustice attorney Monica Reimer. "This establishes that the permit should never have been granted. It didn't comply with the law."

Read More »

 
General News
10/08/2008

Permit suspension doesn't stop mining

Published By: Charlotte Sun

Some environmental groups are hailing it as a "victory," but the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' decision to suspend a permit for Mosaic Fertilizer's Altman Tract phosphate mine doesn't faze the company.

Read More »

 
General News
10/07/2008

Agency reconsiders approval to dig up wetlands

Published By: tampabay.com

Federal officials have backed off their decision to allow the world's largest phosphate mining company to tear up 480 acres of wetlands south of the Sunshine Skyway bridge in Manatee County.

Read More »

 
General News
10/07/2008

Mining permit is suspended

Published By: HeraldTribune.com

Environmentalists scored a victory -- at least temporarily -- against mining giant Mosaic Fertilizer on Monday when federal regulators suspended a permit that would have allowed mining on wetlands in northeast Manatee.

Read More »

 
General News
10/07/2008

Federal permit withdrawn for Altman Tract

Published By: BradentonHerald.com

Phosphate mining giant Mosaic Fertilizer was dealt another setback Friday when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers suspended a permit allowing mining at the Altman Tract in northeast Manatee.

Read More »

 
General News
10/01/2008

New phosphate pact gives Mosaic an out

Published By: Charlotte Sun

The latest draft of a litigation settlement pact between Mosaic Fertilizer and Charlotte County gives Mosaic the right to opt out of its promises at any time if a "third party" challenges any of Mosaic's permits.

Read More »

 
General News
09/30/2008

Mosaic files claim against county

Published By: BradentonHerald.com

Mining giant Mosaic Co. wasted little time in laying the groundwork for a $617 million lawsuit against Manatee County, less than two weeks after commissioners narrowly denied the company permission to mine the 2,048-acre Altman tract.

Read More »

 
General News
09/30/2008

Mosaic threatens $618 million lawsuit

Published By: HeraldTribune.com

Florida mining giant Mosaic Fertilizer said Monday it will file a $618 million lawsuit against Manatee County unless commissioners reverse a Sept. 16 vote that denied permission for Mosaic to mine phosphate on a property in Duette.

Read More »

 
General News
09/21/2008

Drawing a line on phosphate

Published By: heraldtribune.com

Mosaic Fertilizer owns land in our region by the tens of thousands of acres. Yet its refusal to protect 107 acres of high-value wetlands -- at a key location critical to the health of regional creeks and rivers -- led the Manatee County Commission to narrowly reject Mosaic's application to mine the 2,000-plus acre Altman Tract.

Read More »

 
General News
09/17/2008

Manatee leaders reject Mosaic mining plan

Published By: Heraldtribune.com

The county could face a multimillion-dollar lawsuit after commissioners Tuesday rejected a proposal by Mosaic Phosphate to expand mining on land teeming with pristine wetlands.

Read More »

 
General News
09/17/2008

Manatee commissioners deny Altman Tract mining

Published By: bradenton.com

In a landmark decision that's sure to have far-reaching consequences for both the environment and Manatee government, county commissioners Tuesday denied fertilizer giant Mosaic Co. the right to mine for phosphate on the 2,048-acre Altman Tract, capping a seven-year process of demands and concessions between the two sides.

Read More »

 
General News
09/16/2008

Manatee commission denies Mosaic mine expansion

Published By: heraldtribune.com

County Commissioners this afternoon rejected a Mosaic Phosphate Co. plan to mine a 1,500-acre tract in northeast Manatee, a decision that may land both sides in a protracted legal battle.

Read More »

 
General News
09/11/2008

Mosaic named in lawsuit alleging price-fixing

Published By: startribune.com

Mosaic and seven other large fertilizer companies are accused of price-fixing and collusion in a federal lawsuit filed Thursday in Minneapolis.

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General News
08/11/2008

Lawsuit fear hobbles Manatee mine decision

Published By: Charlotte Sun

For the 23rd time in five years, the Manatee County Commission Thursday postponed approving a 2,048-acre phosphate mine in the headwaters of Horse Creek.

Read More »

 
General News
08/10/2008

Several People Fall Ill From Inadvertent Sulfur Release

Published By: Brandon News & Tribune

Hillsborough County Fire Rescue responded to the area of Williams Park in Riverview after several residents complained tonight of an odor that made them ill.

Read More »

 
General News
08/08/2008

Hardee planners approve Mosaic mine

Published By: Sun-Herald

The Hardee County Planning and Zoning Board gave its approval to a deal Thursday that would allow Mosaic Fertilizer to excavate a 10,856-acre mine along the Peace River -- and pump $42 million into county economic development projects as mitigation.

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General News
08/06/2008

Fla. farmers face costliest season as fertilizer prices soar

Published By: Palm Beach Post

Just about every day, Dennis Wedgworth fields telephone calls from worried South Florida farmers, asking what fertilizer will cost them this fall. They can't be happy about his answer.

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General News
08/04/2008

Lawsuit delays Mosaic decision

Published By: heraldtribune.com

Area environmentalists scored a victory on Thursday, albeit a temporary one, in their effort to block a controversial expansion of phosphate mining in Duette. The Manatee County Commission again delayed a vote on a plan by Mosaic Phosphate Co. to dig into 1,521 acres in the so-called Altman Tract and destroy about 400 acres of wetlands in the process.

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General News
08/01/2008

In mining debate, one look says it all

Published By: Herald Tribune

During a hearing Tuesday to decide whether Charlotte County would challenge a phosphate company's permit to mine along the Peace River, commission chairman Tom D'Aprile called for a 10-minute recess.

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General News
08/01/2008

Mosaic mine decision delayed again

Published By: bradenton.com

A federal lawsuit over the mining of phosphate from northeast Manatee's Altman Tract was enough to give local officials pause Thursday. A county vote on the 2,367-acre parcel was delayed for six weeks.

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General News
07/31/2008

Principle vs. practice on mining

Published By: heraldtribune.com

In principle, these are easy calls: Local governments and regional authorities should vigorously fight phosphate mining that would damage vital streams, rivers or wetlands -- even when state and federal regulators approve the mines.

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General News
07/29/2008

Altman mining opponents to file lawsuit

Published By: bradenton.com

Earthjustice, Sierra Club, ManaSota-88, People for Protecting Peace River and Gulf Restoration Network will hold a news conference at noon today to announce they will challenge a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dredge-and-fill permit that authorizes 10 years of phosphate strip-mining on the Altman Tract in Manatee County's northeast corner.

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General News
07/29/2008

Environmental groups sue over phosphate mining

Published By: Bay News 9

A group of environmentalist is suing over phosphate mining in Manatee County.

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General News
07/29/2008

Three counties told to challenge mine

Published By: heraldtribune.com

A phosphate mining plan to destroy more than 500 acres of wetlands and streams near the Peace River should be challenged in court, consultants for Charlotte, Sarasota and Lee counties and a regional water supplier advised.

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General News
07/28/2008

District scrutinizes Mosaic's mega water use

Published By: Charlotte Sun

Mosaic Fertilizer, the world's largest phosphate mining company, is applying to renew a mega water use permit that actually cuts back the amount the company would be allowed to pump by some 23 million gallons of water per day. Despite that reduction, approval won't come easy.

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General News
07/28/2008

Group to challenge Altman dredging

Published By: bradenton.com

A regional office of the Sierra Club plans to file suit against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers this week in an effort to block a controversial mining plan in the northeast corner of Manatee County known as the Altman Tract.

Read More »

 
General News
07/12/2008

EPA Says Fort Meade Mine Would Hurt Peace River

Published By: Fort Meade Leader

The 10,885-acre South Fort Meade phosphate mine in Hardee County should not be approved because it would strip out wetlands and cause “significant adverse impacts” to the Peace River - an “aquatic resource of national importance,” according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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General News
07/10/2008

EPA blasts South Fort Meade mine

Published By: Sun Online

The 10,885-acre South Fort Meade phosphate mine should not be approved because it would strip out wetlands and cause “significant adverse impacts” to the Peace River — an “aquatic resource of national importance,” according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In letters sent to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in July 2007 and August 2007, two EPA wetland permitting officials based in Atlanta leveled some heavy criticism of Mosaic Fertlizer’s proposal to excavate the mine over the next 21 years.

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General News
06/01/2008

Phosphate foes 'blindsided'

Published By: Sun-Herald

Charlotte County was "blindsided" by a legislative maneuver that could limit mining appeals because it couldn't afford to pay attention, Commissioner Adam Cummings said.

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General News
05/30/2008

Rally opposes Mosaic mining plan

Published By: BradentonHerald.com

Five speakers told a packed house Thursday why they think Manatee County should not allow the Mosaic company to mine in the 2,048-acre Altman Tract Parcel 4 near Duette.

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General News
05/22/2008

Here's The Dirt: Phosphate's Hot

Published By: tbo.com

Savvy investors know dirt is not sold cheaply these days, certainly not the phosphate-laden earth mined for fertilizer production.

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General News
05/20/2008

Mother lode for phosphate mining

Published By: Herald Tribune

Mosaic's network of phosphate mines that stretch across rural, central and Southwest Florida are generating record profits this year as demand for fertilizer soars.

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General News
05/18/2008

Strip Mining Will Cause Net Loss for County

Published By: Herald Advocate

Economist Richard Weisskoff, Professor of Economics at University of Miami, has concluded that there will be no net economic gain to Hardee County from the proposed S. Ft. Meade Mine extension. In fact, strip mining agricultural acreage will result in a loss of 61 jobs and a loss of almost $8 million toHardee County economy every year over the life of the mine and beyond.

Read More »

 
General News
05/01/2008

One Last Big Push for Phosphate Mining

Published By: Florida Trend

South-central Florida's landscape will be shaped in large part by a company many residents have never heard of. Mosiac is the only big player left in Florida's phosphate industry, and it controls more than 300,000 acres.

Read More »

 
General News
04/15/2008

Phosphate mine closer to approval

Published By: HeraldTribune.com

Fearful of facing a $400 million lawsuit from mining behemoth Mosaic Inc., county commissioners on Monday voted to draw up a development order for a 2,048-acre mine expansion in northeast Manatee. The move does not mean the phosphate mining project is approved, but it is a strong indicator that the board will give it final approval in June.

Read More »

 
General News
04/13/2008

The town that says 'Yes in my backyard'

Published By: HeraldTribune.com

Driving his pickup truck along dusty Bill Parrish Road, Pat Carlton slows down when he spots a tractor tilling dark, loamy earth. "Man, that's pretty," he said. "When you get it on your hands and you can't get it off, it gives me the fever to farm."

Read More »

 
General News
04/12/2008

Mosaic makes its case — again

Published By: BradentonHerald.com

The Mosaic mining company may be getting a long-awaited decision from Manatee County on Monday.

After many deferrals, its request for a land-use change to mine for phosphate in the 2,048-acre Altman Tract Parcel 4 is scheduled to be heard on Monday before the county commission.

The proposed mine site is in the northeastern part of the county, adjacent to Mosaic's Four Corners Mine complex.

Read More »

 
General News
04/06/2008

Hardee County Commission and Planning Board Meeting

On April 17th at 6:00 p.m. the Hardee County Commission and Planning Board will consider the permit for yet another phosphate mine in our county and the Peace River watershed.

Read More »

 
General News
03/21/2008

State and water district aim to correct years of misuse

Published By: heraldtribune.com

Between decades of farming, phosphate mining and plain old turning on the faucet, residents almost tapped dry the water resources of eight counties in Southwest Florida.

Read More »

 
General News
03/17/2008

Conference details mining's threat to state

Published By: bradenton.com

Joe Murphy, head of the Gulf Restoration Network, called mining in Florida "a direct threat" to Florida's $8.1 billion recreational fishing industry. Hydroecologist Sydney Bacchus said that mining makes permanent changes to the land - changes that can affect native vegetation and water resources.

Read More »

 
General News
03/03/2008

Phosphate agreement hits a snag

Published By: bradenton.com

An agreement that promises to end legal battles with a phosphate mining company, while providing better protection for regional watersheds, has hit a wall for now, though some of the parties are still talking.

Read More »

 
General News
02/26/2008

Ensure mining cleanup with escrow account

Published By: Herald Tribune

You recently published a guest column by Tom Myers, who is an assistant vice president of Mosaic, a phosphate mining company. It was titled "Mosaic builds environmental safeguards into Altman tract plan."

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General News
02/15/2008

Mosaic Posts Record Profit

Published By: The Ledger

A nearly 42 percent increase in the price of the most popular fertilizer product sent the Mosaic Co. to a second consecutive quarter of record profit. Although the phosphate industry saw big price increases in the 1970s, "you've never seen anything that's gone up quite like this," said Mike Lloyd Jr., director of research programs at the Florida Institute of Phosphate Research in Bartow, who has more than 50 years in the industry.

Read More »

 
General News
02/08/2008

A time to lead on Peace River plan

Published By: Sun Herald

OUR POSITION: It is time to for DeSoto to engage its neighbors in a discussion about the long term health of the Peace River Basin.

A committee created by Gov. Charlie Crist has been formed to make recommendations on the management of the Peace River Basin. This committee will make policy and suggest legal changes based on the results of a state sponsored cumulative impact study and with input from members of the committee.

Read More »

 
General News
02/08/2008

A 25-square-mile phosphate mine in Hillsborough County

Published By: sptimes.com

Phosphate mine would put tropical fish farm at risk

Perhaps you have heard about the request by the Mosaic Co. to do open-pit mining on 25 square miles of land in far southeastern Hillsborough County.

A number of area residents have been trying to stop the rezoning of this land, but we are up against a huge company with lots of money and political clout. They have successfully changed two previous zoning hearings at the very last minute, perhaps expecting us to lose our momentum and hope.

Read More »

 
General News
02/08/2008

Charlotte County race draws a crowd

Published By: Herald Tribune

Candidates hoping to replace three county commissioners this year promise to cut taxes, broaden the county's job opportunities and make government more efficient.

The six challengers say they are more financially savvy, sensitive to residents' needs and concerned about natural resources than the current commissioners.

The incumbents counter that change takes time, and that their experience and commitment make them the best people for the job.

Read More »

 
General News
02/06/2008

Mosaic offers wetlands for Altman mine OK

Published By: Herald Tribune

Phosphate giant Mosaic Co.'s bid to expand its mining operation in northeast Manatee largely hinges on whether it can restore almost 400 acres of wetlands that are rich in wildlife.

Mosaic officials are so sure they can, they are willing to bet almost 600 acres on it.

The company has already promised to build a new fire station and park in Duette providing that Manatee County allow it to mine the Altman Tract, a 2,048-acre plot of land in Duette.

Read More »

 
General News
02/06/2008

Study request 'too broad,' says federal chief

Published By: Sun Herald

The way the Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program requested a federal study not just to consider the impacts of phosphate mining, but also those of agriculture and residential development on both the Peace and Myakka rivers, provided the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers a reason to deny the request, according to several NEP committee members involved in the request.

Read More »

 
General News
02/06/2008

Commission considering fate of Manatee phosphate-mining proposal

Published By: bradenton.com

Manatee County officials today could determine the future of a huge expanse of land in northeast Manatee and the hundreds of millions of dollars worth in minerals that lie beneath.

Read More »

 
General News
02/06/2008

Wetlands mining decision delayed

Published By: bradenton.com

After several years of delay and nine hours of discussion Tuesday, county commissioners still didn't have enough information to decide on one of the largest projects ever to appear before them.

Read More »

 
General News
02/04/2008

Should Manatee County approve phosphate mining permit?

Published By: bradenton.com

Yes: Altman request sets high mark of protections

The Altman mine permit has been perhaps the most scrutinized land-use application ever brought before Manatee County, and after nearly eight years of legal, environmental and regulatory review and compromise involving multiple entities, it sets an unprecedented standard for phosphate mines in Florida.

Read More »

 
General News
02/03/2008

Mining task force overlooked impacts, scientist says

Published By: Sun Herald

A state task force considering ways to ensure the mining industry access to “strategic” gravel, sand and shell resources in the future — even over the objections of local government if necessary — completed a report to the Legislature this week.

Read More »

 
General News
02/03/2008

Manatee commission to hear Mosaic dispute

Published By: bradenton.com

A Tuesday discussion before the Manatee County Commission pits the environmental concerns of a vocal minority against landowner rights, a new Duette fire station and a potential economic shot in the arm.

Read More »

 
General News
02/02/2008

A time for Englewood to take lead

Published By: Sun Herald

OUR POSITION: It is time for the community to assert more leadership on the protection of the Peace River and Myakka River watersheds.

The pristine waters of the Myakka River and Lemon Bay are the liquid heart of Englewood. Making sure heart is healthy is perhaps the most important long-term goal for our community. There is a unique opportunity for Englewood to lead right now.

Read More »

 
General News
01/29/2008

Protect our water supply: Reject plan to expand phosphate mine

Published By: Herald Tribune

Mosaic Co. is offering to build a fire station and a 70-acre park in Duette as part of the deal to mine approximately 2,028 acres for phosphate. The Manatee County Commission has scheduled a Feb. 5 public hearing on the plan, which would expand Mosaic's sprawling Four Corners mine in northeastern Manatee near the Hardee County line.

Read More »

 
General News
01/16/2008

Mosaic deal should be revisited

Published By: Sun Herald

OUR POSITION: Opportunity lost with Mosaic settlement should be revisited by Sarasota County.

2007 was a banner year for Mosaic fertilizer. Its stock price soared 342 percent, the biggest gain among large-cap issues, revenues in its most recent quarter were up 55% to $2 billion, its production costs were down and its product prices were up.

Read More »

 
General News
01/15/2008

Mosaic Mine Expansion A Rocky Proposal

Published By: tbo.com

The Tampa Tribune recently ran a story about a small band of Hillsborough County residents who are teaming up and gathering petitions against Mosaic Co.'s proposal to expand its Fort Lonesome and Four Corners phosphate mining operations by 1,599 acres.

Residents worry about contamination to their wells and toxic dust blowing in the wind, sometimes so thick you need your car's headlights turned on during the day in order to drive the nearby roads. They worry about cancer and respiratory illness. They worry about the constant noise of draglines. They want independent water testing and monitoring in addition to Mosaic's water quality tests. Their peace of mind has been shattered!

Read More »

 
General News
12/14/2007

Manatee panel votes no on mine expansion because of wetlands concerns

Published By: Herald Tribune

An estimated 15 million tons of valuable phosphate are buried under the Altman Tract, 2,048 acres in northeast Manatee County. Unfortunately for phosphate giant Mosaic Co, which owns the land, the phosphate lies under pristine scrubland and more than 700 acres of wetlands that are rich in wildlife.

Read More »

 
General News
12/14/2007

Charlotte, Lee counties at odds over Babcock, phosphate

Published By: Sun Herald

The Charlotte County Commission reluctantly accepted Lee County's invitation to discuss the proposed phosphate mining settlement Thursday. All but one of the members of the Charlotte County Commission made it clear that not only do they expect nothing to come from a tri-county meeting with Sarasota County, but, quite frankly, they aren't looking forward to the proposed discussion.

Read More »

 
General News
12/06/2007

Authority puts off phosphate deal

Published By: Sun Herald

Doug Manson, attorney for the Peace River/Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority, pointed out that two of the four counties that make up the authority, Charlotte and DeSoto, have officially endorsed the Phosphate Compact. But the commissions of the other two counties, Sarasota and Manatee, have raised concerns over the deal.

Read More »

 
General News
12/06/2007

Beware miners bearing gifts Does destroying wetlands offer 'public benefit'?

Published By: Herald Tribune

More than seven years into a battle to expand their Four Corners phosphate mine in northeastern Manatee County, officials at Mosaic Co. are offering to sweeten the deal by building a new park and fire station for the neighboring community of Duette.

Read More »

 
General News
12/06/2007

Water panel postpones Mosaic decision

Published By: Bradenton Herald

Members of the Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority on Wednesday put off any decision on a proposed agreement with the Mosaic mining company until January, but that didn't stop Manatee Commissioner Jane von Hahmann from airing her concerns.

Read More »

 
General News
11/21/2007

Mine deal approved despite public protests

Published By: Herald Tribune

Despite vigorous public outcry, county commissioners on Tuesday approved the signing of a compact that will drop all lawsuits against Mosaic Co. over its phosphate mine permits and prevent the county from opposing any new mines for 15 years.

The agreement requires that Mosaic follow more rigorous environmental standards to protect water quality in Charlotte Harbor.

Read More »

 
General News
11/21/2007

Charlotte approves phosphate agreement

Published By: Sun Herald

Members of the County Commission hope they set in motion the end to lengthy, expensive phosphate litigation Tuesday in approving a compromise with Mosaic Fertilizer.

The commission approved the fertilizer compact in a 4-1 vote, but the terms of the agreement require that a total of four governing bodies sign on. Lee and Sarasota counties, as well as the Peace River/Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority, have yet to vote on the settlement.

Read More »

 
General News
11/21/2007

Phosphate coverage appreciated by reader

Published By: Sun Herald

I wish to congratulate the Sun for it's integrity and honesty in presenting the true facts concerning the phosphate industry and the excellent reporting by staff writer Greg Martin.

Read More »

 
General News
11/21/2007

Phosphate deal is deficient

Published By: Venice Gondolier

Another shining example of how Mosaic's settlement with the counties is deficient is with our current water shortage.

I believe businesses like phosphate mining and agriculture should have water restrictions to abide by just like citizens.

Read More »

 
General News
11/20/2007

Mine pact falls short of goals, attorney says

Published By: Sun Herald

Charlotte County's environmental attorney says he plugged at least one "loophole" in a proposed phosphate mining pact, but warns that several other problems with the agreement remain.

However, Ed de la Parte, the county's special attorney on the deal with the Mosaic phosphate mining company, said he had not determined whether or not he would recommend the County Commission sign the pact at its meeting toda

Read More »

 
General News
11/20/2007

Commission mines phosphate agreement

Published By: Sun Herald

Lawyers, hydrologists, utility managers and commissioners from both Sarasota and Charlotte counties gathered in North Port commission chambers Monday for a workshop on a proposed settlement pact with the Mosaic phosphate-mining company.

Although phosphate mining doesn't take place nearby, the industry can influence the regional water supply, including the Myakka River, the Peace River Basin and the Big Slough watershed area.

Read More »

 
General News
11/20/2007

Phosphate settlement discussion today

Published By: Sun Herald

he divisive phosphate mining issue is set to take center stage with the Charlotte County Commission this afternoon, and supporters and detractors of a proposed settlement with Mosaic Company plan to pack the County Administration Building in Murdock.

Commissioner Tom Moore said he's been bombarded with phone calls and e-mails leading up to today's meeting, which will feature comments from Mosaic Company, county staff, the Peace River/Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority and members of the public.

Read More »

 
General News
11/15/2007

Sun editorial on EIS a disservice to commission, county

Published By: Sun Herald

To say that our concern for an area-wide environmental impact study is deceptive or unimportant does a tremendous disservice to our community.

Read More »

 
General News
11/14/2007

Phosphate public relations site to close

Published By: Sun Herald

The Charlotte County Commission says it's in the interest of positive negotiations.

The Charlotte County Commission opted to disconnect an anti-phosphate portion of its Web site Tuesday, but officials made it clear that all legal documents pertaining to mining negotiations will remain available on the county government's official page.

Read More »

 
General News
11/14/2007

Complaint claims Duffy violated Sunshine Law

Published By: Sun Herald

Charlotte County Commissioner Tricia Duffy may have violated Florida's Sunshine Law by negotiating a litigation settlement pact with a phosphate mining company behind closed doors, according to a formal complaint an environmental advocate filed Tuesday with the State Attorney's Office.

Read More »

 
General News
11/14/2007

Fertilizer ordinance clears first hurdle

Published By: Sun Herald

NORTH PORT -- Despite concerns from Commissioner Dick Lockhart about the difficulty of enforcing a proposed fertilizer ordinance, the first reading of that ordinance passed unanimously Tuesday night.

Read More »

 
General News
11/14/2007

Commissioners wrong to settle with Mosaic

Published By: Sun Herald

Who in this world would ever agree to a marriage clause (with an already proven contentious proposed partner) that "I shall never again object to anything you do for the next 30 years?" That clause alone makes any other parts of the lopsided agreement just immaterial. Nothing else matters in the face of such an moronic ultimatum.

Read More »

 
General News
11/14/2007

Settlement would save tax money

Published By: Sun Herald

All the tax money that has been spent to date on phosphate litigation and now it looks like more money. What a drain of our tax dollars. Of course, the lawyers like litigation. That is where the money is.

Read More »

 
General News
11/13/2007

Commission to debate phosphate today

Published By: Sun Herald

The Charlotte County Commission will discuss the latest proposed settlement with Mosaic.

Read More »

 
General News
11/11/2007

Commissioners should take phosphate test

Published By: Sun Herald

Because of the money that Mosaic is committing to this battle, our commissioners need to make a full disclosure to reassure the public that their decision will not be tainted. I challenge each county commissioner to answer the following five questions, on the record:

Read More »

 
General News
11/11/2007

Peace River Panel Goal Is to Lessen Damage

Published By: The Ledger

BARTOW | Polk County Commission Chairman Bob English and Winter Haven environmentalist Marian Ryan are among those who will serve on a proposed 25-member Peace River Basin Management Advisory Committee.

Read More »

 
General News
11/11/2007

Peace River Panel Goal Is to Lessen Damage

Published By: The Ledger

BARTOW | Polk County Commission Chairman Bob English and Winter Haven environmentalist Marian Ryan are among those who will serve on a proposed 25-member Peace River Basin Management Advisory Committee.

Read More »

 
General News
11/11/2007

Why it is hard to reach phosphate settlement

Published By: Sun Herald

Phosphate litigation lingers because Mosaic and Charlotte County can not agree on what it means to safeguard the Peace River and Charlotte Harbor. Scientists do not agree how phosphate mining impacts the flow of water in the Peace River.

Read More »

 
General News
11/09/2007

Latest deal

Published By: Sun Herald

A team of local government representatives and Mosaic Fertilizer have refined a proposed litigation settlement compact. Here's a look at the latest changes:

Read More »

 
General News
11/09/2007

Team refines Phosphate Compact

Published By: Sun Herald

The latest draft of a local government team's proposed litigation settlement pact with the world's largest phosphate mining company now clarifies how a water quality monitoring program would be established and specifies that Mosaic Fertilizer will donate a reservoir site at no charge.

Read More »

 
General News
08/04/2007

Florida Counties Try to Contain Phosphate Mines

Published By: NYTimes

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — Arguing that the State Environmental Protection Department is far too lax in regulating open-pit phosphate mines, three Gulf Coast counties are spending millions of dollars in an effort to keep the mines from further expansion in a major watershed.

Read More »

 

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