Mine Expansion Threatens River System, Critics Say SARASOTA, FL (WUSF) - The world's largest fertilizer producer wants to expand a mine at the four corners area where Manatee, Hillsborough, Polk and Hardee counties meet by almost 3,000 acres. But part of the land that IMC-Agrico covets forms the headwaters of Horse Creek, a major tributary of the Peace River.

Further downstream, thousands of people in southwest Florida get their drinking water from the Peace. Because of that, Sarasota, Lee and Charlotte counties have joined a coalition of environmental groups to stop the mine expansion. They don't want any upstream accidents at the mine to taint their supply.

John Saba Junior has lived in Lakeland and Sarasota. He believes the litany of past spills from phosphate mines does not bode well for the future.

SABA: The history of the phosphate industry in Florida over a hundred years has been, in my opinion, nothing but deplorable. I have seen times when the Peace River was solid white, all the way down into Charlotte Harbor.Industry officials say the headwaters of Horse Creek is anything but pristine. It was transformed decades ago into a channelized agricultural ditch used to funnel runoff from farms and groves in the area. But that area is also rich in phosphate. IMC-Agrico wants to mine that ditch after an alternate flow way is built for water to drain into the creek's West Fork. IMC-Agrico spokeswoman Diana Youmans says that area would be reclaimed into a more natural habitat. YOUMANS: We are confident in our operating practices and the fact that there will be no adverse impacts on water quality or quantity for Horse Creek or the Peace River. A hearing has been going on for several weeks on the state's plans to grant the fertilizer giant a permit to mine the Manatee County site. The state Department of Environmental Protection has given notice that it plans to approve the mine expansion. It's decision was promptly challenged by several environmental groups, the Peace River Water Supply Authority as well as the three counties. Members of the public got their chance to tell state regulators what they think during a special hearing in Sarasota. Margie Hain gave administrative hearing Judge Charles Stampelos a petition protesting the mine. It had more than ten thousand signatures.HAIN: Florida's last pristine waters are in danger. Don't give them away. In twenty years, when the mines have played out or are in bankruptcy, the people who are demanding the mining will be gone. But the next generation will still be here to deal with what is left of our environment.Mining proponents say that because older mines in Polk and Hillsborough counties are becoming exhausted, new sources of fertilizer must be found in counties to the south. J.B. John operates a dragline, the massive cranes that dig strip mines. He says they do everything possible to keep waterways clear of debris. JOHN: I'm digging right now down by Horse Creek. We have perimeter clear water ditches that are between me and you've got the clear water ditch, and then the berm, and then you've got Horse Creek. We make the biggest effort that we can make for you people, for ourselves, our grandchildren and the kids to come to see to it that we don't mess up the environment.

But several others say that the state should look at IMC's request as one of several new mines proposed for the area. Barbra Bartholomew of Sarasota is one of the people who are asking the state to conduct an environmental impact study to see what the cumulative effect would be on the area's rivers and underground water.

BARTHOLOMEW: Let's know for certain what further mining may do to this region and its water before going forward. Phosphate may feed people, but what good is food if we don't have water?

Judge Stampelos plans to use their testimony, as well as opinions from the main hearing, to determine the fate of the mine expansion - and that of several others that would follow.

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