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Peace River among most 'endangered'
Sun-Herald.com
14th April 2004
Group cites phosphate mining threat
Ever since phosphate mining began in its watershed more than 100 years ago, the Peace River has suffered from its impacts.
But now, the mining industry is mounting a major expansion into the lower half of the watershed -- and that has prompted the Washington, D.C.-based organization American Rivers to name the Peace River to its 2004 list of the nation's 10 most endangered rivers.
It is the first time the river has been named to the list since American Rivers began designating them in 1986. Other rivers on this year's list include such national treasures as the Colorado, the Snake and the Mississippi.
The criteria for listing includes that the river has national importance and is endangered by a major threat within the coming year.
The Peace River meets the criteria because phosphate mining poses a "potential time bomb" of environmental impacts -- and at least 40,000 acres in new mining could be approved this year, according to Serena McClain, a spokeswoman for American Rivers.
The group doesn't merely name the rivers -- it suggests solutions and calls for federal and state action.
For the Peace River, the group calls for the federal government to conduct an Area-wide Environmental Impact Statement, and the state to finally establish "minimum flow" levels for wildlife as mandated by state law in 1973.
"The Florida Department of Environmental Protection and even the Southwest Florida Water Management District really need to evaluate the full impacts -- before they permit more mining," McClain said, in a phone interview Tuesday. "There's been questions over IMC Phosphates' and Cargill's (water-impact) computer modeling, and obviously, we're already seeing impacts from the mining that has already been done."
The organization will formally announce the listing at press conferences in Charlotte Harbor and Tampa today. The local conference will be held at 9 a.m. at the Bayshore Live Oak Park, according to Honey Rand, spokeswoman for the Environmental PR Group.
Rand's group, which Charlotte County has hired to lobby for river protection, enlisted local environmental groups to support nominating the Peace to the rivers list.
The groups included the Environmental Confederation of Southwest Florida, Manasota-88 and Hardee Citizens Against Pollution to nominate the Peace River.
American Rivers has published a 36-page report which highlights the threats to all 10 endangered rivers.
River's flow 'vital'
The Peace River, at 105 miles is one of the longest rivers in Florida, begins in the Green Swamp in Polk County and flows to Charlotte Harbor. The harbor has been designated a national estuary, a state aquatic preserve and a Florida Outstanding Water.
The flow from the river is "vital" to maintaining the delicate balance of fresh and salt water in the estuary which many species of fish and animals need to thrive, according to American Rivers.
The river also supplies about 18 million gallons of drinking water per day to Charlotte, Sarasota and DeSoto counties, and plans are under way to expand the withdrawals to 32.7 mgd within the next five years.
The river is connected to about 91,000 jobs for the tourism, recreation and commercial fishing industries which generates about $4.5 billion per year, according to Rivers.
Since the 1960s, the average annual flow has declined, the group notes.
American Rivers cites a history in which dozens of spills have sent slurries of clay, containing uranium and radium, into the river.
Mining challenges
Within the past few years, the state DEP has approved permits for IMC's Manson-Jenkins, Altman and Ona mines totaling about 25,000 acres. DEP is also considering applications for another 25,000 acres of mining for Cargill.
But, the approvals are being met with legal challenges from Charlotte County. Within the past year, the county lost a challenge to the Manson-Jenkins mine and won a challenge to the Altman mine.
On May 10, the county, along with the Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority and other environmental groups, takes IMC to court over its Ona mine.
"DEP should deny permits for each of them," states American Rivers.
American Rivers also cites that the river was listed as "impaired" in 1998 under the Clean Water Act. The DEP has agreed to develop a cleanup plan, but, the plan has yet to materialize.
"DEP should resist pressure from phosphate mining companies and establish clean water management requirements," states American Rivers.
American Rivers also casts blame on the current administration for halting a Clinton-era initiative to strengthen the total maximum daily load program. The program is the Clean Water Act's chief enforcement tool for cleaning up impaired waters.
"By putting out this list, we hope we can stop a threat from occurring," McClain said.
The organization can provide support for local groups in their advocacy for agency actions. And American Rivers will also publish follow-up reports on the rivers every six months.
But, McClain emphasized the need for local citizens to take the lead in pushing for protections.
"The public has to get out and let both the Army Corps of Engineers and the DEP know that this (impact study) is what they want," she said.
Adam Cummings, Charlotte County commissioner, said he sees national recognition of the Peace River's plight "a ray of hope."
"Here, locally, we understand the threat and we've been standing in the breach -- Charlotte County has been standing alone," Cummings said. "Our neighbors in Southwest Florida have joined us, but the forces we face are very powerful.
"I've felt for a long time we needed national support, and finally, we're getting that recognition."
'National issue'
Denis Mader, president of Hardee Citizens Against Pollution, said he first fell in love with the Peace River while canoeing on it in 1984 and saw numerous types of wildlife there.
Years ago, the river was also full of trout, bass, snook and tarpon, but the number of species has declined as a consequence of mining, according to Dr. Thomas Fraser, a marine biologist who has studied the phenomenon.
"The Peace River is really one of Florida's most precious resources in terms of habitat," Mader said. "It really is something all people of the United States should have the ability to enjoy."
Mader said he hopes the listing will bring national attention to concerns over the "cumulative impacts of phosphate mining."
"This takes it beyond the level of a regional issue and makes it a national issue," he said.
Glenn Compton, president of Manasota-88, said he was concerned about the release of toxic materials into the water. He cited the disposal of hundreds of millions of gallons of "reagents," including diesel fuels and fatty acids, that are used to separate phosphate pebbles from sand and clay. He also cited spills at clay settling areas and phosphogypsum waste stacks.
Reports show that the river has received 32 toxic spills from phosphate mines since the 1940s, he said.
"Ultimately, the whole point is that agencies need to take a pro-active role to protect this resource," he said.
Andy Ellis, spokesman for the Florida Phosphate Council, was unavailable Tuesday for comment.
Endangered Rivers
American Rivers, a national organization with 1,842 members in Florida alone, has placed the Peace River on its list of 10 most endangered rivers for 2004.
Endangered Rivers List:
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