The questions we are often asked about phosphate mining and fertilizer manufacturing cover a broad range of topics - from what phosphate is to what plans Mosaic has for future mining. We hope your questions are among these we are frequently asked.
AEIS
Why is an Area-wide Environmental Impact Statement (AEIS) being conducted?
Mosaic and CF Industries have requested that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issue permits for activities associated with phosphate mining or mine expansions within the Central Florida Phosphate District. Because issuance of multiple similar permits would be considered a "Major Federal Action" under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1960, the Corps has committed to preparation of an AEIS. The statement will focus on past, present and reasonably foreseeable mining projects, looking at potential and cumulative impacts.
Once completed, the Corps will use the AEIS to make final decisions on permit applications filed by Mosaic and CF.
Who is paying for the AEIS?This is not a taxpayer-funded study. The AEIS is being paid for by Mosaic and CF in association with its permit applications. Historically, EIS's are conducted as the result of the activities of applicants, and as such, the applicants have to provide what is essentially blind funding. Mosaic and CF are required to provide this blind funding for the study, but have no more say in how it is done or what is in the scope than the rest of the public. Other than providing raw data at the beginning of the process, the companies are not allowed to have any communication outside of the public commenting.
What are the primary issues to be addressed in the AEIS?The primary areas of environmental concern are the loss of wetland functions and value, mitigation of such losses, the effect of proposed mining on groundwater and surface water quality, and potential cumulative effects.
Other preliminarily identified issues include threatened and endangered species, health and safety, socioeconomics, aesthetics, historic properties, cultural resources, fish and wildlife values, land use, transportation, recreation, water supply and conservation, water quality, energy needs, mineral needs, considerations of property ownership, in general, the needs and welfare of the people.
How do we know that the AEIS is truly an independent assessment of the industry?The AEIS will be developed with public involvement and coordinated with a number of federal, state, regional, and local agencies. The Corps will be the lead agency for the AEIS. The US EPA has agreed to be a cooperating agency. The Corps expects to receive input and critical information from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, United States Geological Service, and other federal, state, and local agencies.
Federal regulations require an early and open process for determining the scope of an EIS and for identifying significant issues related to the proposed action. The Corps held public scoping meetings and encouraged the public to submit comments through April 2011.
The best source of information on the AEIS is the official US Army Corps of Engineers project website - http://www.phosphateaeis.org.