News And Updates
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.
Mosaic had threatened a $618 million lawsuit, based on the company's estimate of the worth of phosphate on the tract.
Part of the settlement agreement obligates Manatee County to jointly fight any third-party challenges to the permit. It also calls for a decision to be made on zoning and DRI issues by Jan. 15.
Environmental activists say the mine could harm tributaries feeding into the Peace River, which supplies drinking water for several downstream counties.
But nothing can happen without the approval of the Army Corps of Engineers, which earlier this year withdrew its permit for the mine. And the new president taking office in January could impact any decision by the Army Corps.