Mosaic Florida
 
 
 
 
Reclaimed Land Uses
 
Reclamation Allows for Many Land Uses
Mosaic has successfully reclaimed mining land for use as wetlands, lakes, uplands, wildlife  habitats, pasture lands, and have proved suitable for housing developments, agriculture, industrial sites, power plants, landfills, parks, golf courses and pine tree plantations. Some of today's most popular recreational areas in Polk, Hillsborough and Hardee counties are on reclaimed land.
 
Because Mosaic is committed to protecting the environment, it has become a leader in land reclamation. Our company alone has planted tens of millions of trees, and a number of Mosaic reclamation areas in Hardee, Hillsborough and Polk counties have been recognized as exceptional examples of land reclamation.  View Mosaic's reclamation brochure online. 
 
 
Maron Run Headwaters Restoration Project 
Maron Run is a tributary to Bowlegs Creek at Mosaic's South Fort Meade mine.  The main channel and associated floodplain for this stream were preserved at this mine site, however this was the first mining project adjacent to stream and associated floodplain wetlands at this mine.  Two small tributaries to Maron Run were permitted for mining in this project.  Mining occurred for this site in 1995.  The mining area was reclaimed with a variety of wetlands communities that are effective in water quantity and quality control for runoff entering the Maron Run system after reconnection occurred.  Innovative natural soil amendments were used in restoration activities upstream of Maron Run to help promote organic topsoil development.  The areas adjacent to and supporting the Maron Run headwaters have been reconnected and are now fully functioning wetland systems.
 
 
Horse Creek Xeric Project
This reclamation site, constructed in 2001, abuts to the Horse Creek floodplain and wildlife corridor. Xeric habitats are unique among uplands in that their sandy soils and sparse vegetation make them particularly hospitable to burrowing animals. In addition to the upland xeric habitat, an ephemeral frog pond was constructed on the lower elevations of the site. Ephemeral means that the pond dries out for much of the year. This drying is important to frog populations, as wetlands that contain water year-round also contain fish that eat frog eggs and tadpoles. This site is now home to gopher tortoises, Florida mice, gopher frogs and other reptiles and amphibians.

 

 
 
Hookers Prairie Sawgrass Reclamation
More than 1,300 acres of mined and disturbed lands have been reclaimed as Sawgrass and herbaceous marshes at our Hookers Prairie Mine. After draglines remove the phosphate resource, our reclamation team begins grading spoil piles to the design contours of the new marshes -- paying special attention to hydrology and the natural materials used to promote desirable species. More than five million Sawgrass specimens were hand planted. These plants, together with others, have blanketed the reclamation projects, covering 80% of the inundated soils. Initial maintenance to prevent nuisance species from taking hold has resulted in sustainable wetlands that continue to function despite drought, fire and hurricanes. The open water habitat has also attracted numerous migrating birds and is home to a diverse array of mammals, birds, fish, amphibians and reptiles.
 
The Hookers Prairie reclamation site is one of the largest wetland mitigation sites in the State and has won awards for innovative techniques, which are creating successful, and sustainable wetland communities. Hookers Prairie Wetland has been honored by the National Association of State Land Reclamationists and the Bureau of Mine Reclamation as an Outstanding Wetland Project.
 
 
Mosaic Fish Management Area
Twelve lakes near Fort Meade in Polk and Hardee counties make up Mosaic's Fish Management Area.  Open to public fishing, the lakes are managed jointly by Mosaic and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).  Since May 2001, the area has hosted more than 13,000 visitors.  Anglers have logged almost 53,000 hours of fishing and have caught more than 67,000 fish.  These include more than 22,000 largemouth bass and nearly 17,000 crappie.  The FWC regulates fishing pressure and fish harvest and, in order to maintain good fishing for many years to come, conducts an annual survey of fish populations and water quality.
 
There is no charge to fish at the fish management area and no reservations are needed; however, a valid freshwater fishing license is required. Both bank and boat fishing opportunities are available. Read more about Mosaic's Fish Management Area.
 
 
Hardee Lakes and Hardee Park
In 2000, 1,260 acres of land were donated to Hardee County for use as a public park. The parcel includes four lakes, the largest of which is 133 acres. Since there are no natural lakes in Hardee County, this donation provided an opportunity for public lake access and recreational use, which previously wasn't available to Hardee County and surrounding area residents. The Hardee Park lakes were featured in the July 2004 issue of Florida Sportsman magazine.
At the same time as this donation, a conservation easement was placed on about 123 acres in and along the Payne Creek floodplain. This conservation easement area parallels the Payne Creek floodplain for about two miles, and is part of a regional wildlife corridor. Wetlands within the park were constructed with an irregular bottom. Muck from other permitted wetlands was hauled in to provide an organic base and seed source. And 21 species of trees were planted on the project to give the park a natural setting. 
 
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection presented Mosaic with its Outstanding Ecosystem Project award for this park.  The Hardee County Board of Commissioners, the Hardee County Chamber, Mosaic and other partners have begun an annual "Nature Fest" celebration in the Spring at the Hardee Lakes Park. Click here to view the park brochure.
 
 
Hal Scott Wildlife Conservation Area
Named after the late Hal Scott, past president of the Florida Audubon Society and longtime champion of Florida's environment, this 460-acre project in Polk County represents a balance of open water, upland and wetland habitats.  Mosaic's reclamation of this land adjacent to Hooker's Prairie has expanded both the Prairie and the headwater wetlands contributing flow to the South Prong Alafia River.  More than 1 million native wetland plants and more than 100,000 native trees were planted at this site. The project has received awards from the Florida Native Plant Society for land restoration, and the Association of State Land Reclamationists for the National Mined Land Reclamation Award.