United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Region 4
345 Courtland Street, NE
Atlanta. GA 30365
EPA 904 / 9-87-149
xvEPA
Environmental
Impact Statement
Draft
CF Mining Corporation
Hardee Phosphate Complex II
Hardee County, Florida
Supplemental Information Document
.
9
LIBRARY
-------
EPA
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
REGION IV
345 COURTLAND STREET
ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30365
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION DOCUMENT
FOR
CF MINING CORPORATION
HARDEE PHOSPHATE COMPLEX II
DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT
Repository Material
Permanent Collection
US EPA
Headquarters and Chemical Libraries
EPA West Bldg Room 3340
Mailcode 3404T
1301 Constitution Ave NW
Washington DC 20004
202-566-0556
MARCH 1988
-------
CF INDUSTRIES
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION DOCUMENT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section
1.0 INTRODUCTION
l.l DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROJECT 1-1
1.2 REQUIREMENT FOR EIS PREPARATION 1-4
1.3 STATUS OF OTHER PERMITTING REQUIREMENTS 1-6
1.3.1 CONSUMPTIVE USE OF WATER PERMIT 1-7
1.3.2 APPLICATION FOR DEVELOPMENT 1-8
APPROVAL/ DEVELOPMENT OF
llflG'i'O'N'AL' IMPACT1
1.3.3 HARDE'g COWTY~HINING AND EARTH 1-9
MOVING ORDINANCE AND ZONING VARIANCE
1.4 THE SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION DOCUMENT 1-9
2.0 CF INDUSTRIES' PROPOSED ACTION 2-1
2.1 DRAGLINE MINING OPERATION 2-1
2-1
2-1
2-5
2-7
2-11
2-14
2-14
2-lfi
2-17
2-17
2-18
2-19
2-19
2-20
2-20
2.2 SLURRY MATRIX TRANPORT 2-23
2.2.1 GENERAL DESCRIPTION 2-23
2.2.2 PIPELINE CROSSINGn&'F WETLANDS 2-25
2.3 MATRIX PROCESSING 2-25
2.3.1 PLANT LOCATION 2-25
2.3.2 PLANT DESCRIPTION SUMMARY 2-26
2.3.3 WASHER SECTION2-30
2.3.4 SIZING SECTION 2-33
2.3.5 FLOTATION AREA 2-33
2.3.6 WET ROCK STORAGE 2-36
2.3.7 PHOSPHATE PRODUCT DISPOSITION 2-38
2.3.8 PLANT CONSTRUCTION2-38
2.3.9 ENERGY REQUIREMENTS AND OPERATING PERSONNEL 2-39
2.3.10 REAGENT, FUEL, AND LUBRICANT STORAGE2-40
2.4 WASTE SAND AND CLAY DISPOSAL PLAN 2-43
2.4.1 INTRODUCTION 2-43
2.4.2 SfANP/CLAY MIX PROCESS 2-45
2.4.3 INITIAL SETTLING AREAS 2-45
2.1.1
2.1.2
2.1.3
2.1.4
2.1.5
2.1.6
DEPOSIT GEOLOGY
LAND CLEARING
PRESERVED AREAS
DRAGLINE CROSSINGS
PHOSPHATE MINING
DRAINAGE BASIN MINING SEQUENCE
2.1.6.1 DOE BRANCH
2.1.6.2 PLUNDER BRANCH
2.1.6.3 COON'S BAY BRANCH
2.1.6.4 TROUBLESOME CREEK
2.1.6.5 SHIRTTAIL BRANCH
2.1.6.6 BRUSHY CREEK
2.1.6.7 HORSE CREEK
2.1.6.8 LETTIS CREEK
2.1.6.9 SUMMARY
-------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(Continued, Page 2 of 7)
Section
2.4.4 SAND/CLAY MIX AND DISPOSAL AREAS 2-46
2.4.5 SAND/CLAY WASTE DISPOSAL PLANNING 2-47
2.4.6 TAILINGS 2-51
2.4.7 SUMMARY 2-52
2.5 MINE WATER USE PLAN 2-52
2.5.1 PROCESS WATER REQUIREMENTS 2-52
2.5.2 BENEFICIATION PROCESS REAGENT REQUIREMENTS 2-54
2.5.3 WATER RECIRCULATION SYSTEM 2-55
2.5.4 CONSUMPTIVE USE-GROUND WATER WITHDRAWALS 2-58
2.5.5 OTHER WELLS 2-61
2.5.6 MAXIMUM WELL PUMPAGE 2-62
2.5.7 MINE PIT DRAINAGE 2-62
2.5.8 SURFACE WATER RUNOFF 2-63
2.5.9 WATER DISCHARGE 2-64
2.5.9.1 CF INDUSTRIES' PROPOSED 2-65
WATER DISCHARGE PLAN
2.5.9.2 ADDITIONAL WATER DISCHARGE 2-68
ALTERNATIVES
2.6 RECLAMATION PLAN 2-69
2-69
2-71
2-73
2-76
2-76
2-82
2-82
2-82
2-84
2-84
2-84
2-90
2-91
2-93
2-94
2-%
2-95
2.6.7 POST-RECLAMATION LAND USE 2-104
ii
2.6.2
2.6.3
2.6.4
2.6.5
2.6.6
PHYSICAL RECLAMATION OF LANDFORMS
2.6.2.1
2.6.2.2
2.6.2.3
2.6.2.4
WETLAND
2.6.3.1
2.6.3.2
SAND/ CLAY MIX AREAS
SAND TAILINGS FILL AREAS WITH
OVERBURDEN CAP
LAND-AND- LAKES
OVERBURDEN FILL AREAS AND
DISTURBED NATURAL GROUND
AND STREAM CHANNEL RECLAMATION
WETLANDS
STREAMS
REVEGETATION
2.6.4.1
2.6.4.2
2.6.4.3
2.6.4.4
2.6.4.5
EXPERIMENTAL TEST PLOTS
IMPROVED PASTURE
FORESTED UPLANDS
FORESTED WETLANDS
NON-FORESTED WETLANDS
RECLAMATION SEQUENCE
POST-RECLAMATION TOPOGRAPHY
-------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(Continued, Page 3 of 7)
Section Page
2.7 REFERENCES: CF INDUSTRIES' PROPOSED ACTION 2-106
3.0 AIR RESOURCES 3-1
3.1 THE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT 3-1
3.1.1 INTRODUCTION 3-1
3.1.2 REGIONAL METEOROLOGY 3-3
3.1.2.1 METEOROLOGICAL DATA SOURCES 3-3
3.1.2.2 TEMPERATURE 3-3
3.1.2.3 PRECIPITATION 3-3
3.1.2.4 WIND DIRECTION AND SPEED 3-6
3.1.2.5 ATMOSPHERIC STABILITY 3-6
3.1.3 APPLICABLE AIR QUALITY REGULATIONS 3-12
3.1.3.1 AMBIENT AIR QUALITY STANDARDS 3-12
(AAQS)
3.1.3.2 PREVENTION OF SIGNIFICANT 3-12
DETERIORATION (PSD)
3.1.3.3 NON-ATTAINMENT AREAS 3-14
3.1.3.4 EMISSION STANDARDS 3-15
3.1.4 AREAWIDE EMISSION SOURCES 3-15
3.1.4.1 PARTICULATES 3-15
3.1.4.2 FLUORIDES 3-17
3.1.4.3 NITROGEN OXIDES 3-17
3.1.5 AMBIENT AIR QUALITY DATA 3-17
3.1.5.1 TOTAL SUSPENDED PARTICULATES 3-22
3.1.5.2 SULFUR DIOXIDE 3-22
3.1.5.3 FLUORIDES 3-22
3.2 NOISE 3-23
3.2.1 SOUND MEASUREMENT 3-23
3.2.2 REGULATORY GUIDELINES 3-24
3.2.3 EXISTING NOISE ENVIRONMENT 3-28
3.2.3.1 EXISTING ENVIRONMENT 3-28
3.2.3.2 PROJECTED ENVIRONMENT WITHOUT THE 3-28
PROPOSED PROJECT
3.3 REFERENCES: AIR RESOURCES 3-33
ill
-------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(Continued, Page 4 of 7)
Section Page
4.0 GEOTECHNICAL RESOURCES 4-1
4.1 THE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT 4-1
4.1.1 REGIONAL DESCRIPTION 4-1
4.1.1.1 GEOMORPHOLOGY 4-1
4.1.1.2 SOLUTION FEATURES 4-1
4.1.1.3 STRATIGRAPHY 4-1
4.1.1.4 STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY 4-3
4.1.1.5 SEISMICITY 4-6
4.1.2 SITE-SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION—GEOLOGY 4-6
4.1.2.1 EOCENE SERIES 4-6
4.1.2.2 OLIGOCENE SERIES 4-10
4.1.2.3 MIOCENE SERIES 4-10
4.1.2.4 PLIOCENE TO RECENT— 4-11
UNDIFFERENTIATED CLASTICS
4.1.3 SITE-SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION—SOILS 4-12
4.1.3.1 METHODS OF INVESTIGATION 4-15
4.1.3.2 DESCRIPTION OF SOILS 4-15
4.2 REFERENCES: GEOTECHNICAL RESOURCES 4-23
5.0 RADIATION 5-1
5.1 THE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT 5-1
5.1.1 REGIONAL DESCRIPTION 5-1
5.1.1.1 URANIUM, RADIOISOTOPES AND 5-2
EXPOSURE
5.1.1.2 RADIOISOTOPES AND PHOSPHATE 5-5
DEPOSITS
5.1.1.3 BACKGROUND RADIATION 5-8
5.1.2 SITE-SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION 5-9
5.1.2.1 EXTERNAL GAMMA RADIATION 5-9
5.1.2.2 SURFACE MATERIALS 5-11
5.1.2.3 SUBSURFACE MATERIALS 5-11
5.1.2.4 GROUND WATER 5-18
5.1.2.5 SURFACE WATER 5-19
5.2 REFERENCES: RADIATION 5-25
6.0 GROUND WATER 6-1
6.1 THE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT 6-1
iv
-------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(Continued, Page 5 of 7)
Section Page
6.1.1 REGIONAL DESCRIPTION—QUANTITY 6-1
6.1.2 SITE-SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION—QUANTITY 6-8
6.1.2.1 SHALLOW AQUIFER 6-12
6.1.2.2 SECONDARY ARTESIAN AQUIFER 6-17
6.1.2.3 FLORIDAN AQUIFER 6-22
6.1.2.4 RECHARGE AND WATER MOVEMENT 6-32
6.1.2.5 SUMMARY 6-33
6.1.3 REGIONAL DESCRIPTION—QUALITY 6-39
6.1.3.1 SHALLOW AQUIFER 6-41
6.1.3.2 SECONDARY ARTESIAN AQUIFER 6-41
6.1.3.3 FLORIDAN AQUIFER 6-42
6.1.4 SITE-SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION—QUALITY 6-46
6.1.4.1 DATA COLLECTION 6-46
6.1.4.2 DATA ASSESSMENT 6-48
6.1.4.3 SUMMARY 6-62
6.2 REFERENCES: GROUND WATER 6-65
7.0 SURFACE WATER 7-1
7.1 THE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT 7-1
7.1.1 REGIONAL DESCRIPTION—QUANTITY 7-1
7.1.2 SITE-SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION—QUANTITY 7-4
7.1.2.1 BASIN DESCRIPTIONS 7-4
7.1.2.2 DATA COLLECTION 7-7
7.1.2.3 DATA ASSESSMENT 7-9
7.1.3 REGIONAL DESCRIPTION—QUALITY 7-20
7.1.3.1 HORSE CREEK 7-20
7.1.3.2 PEACE RIVER 7-24
7.1.4 SITE-SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION—QUALITY 7-27
7.1.4.1 DATA COLLECTION 7-27
7.1.4.2 DATA ASSESSMENT 7-28
7.1.4.3 SUMMARY 7-67
7.2 REFERENCES: SURFACE WATER 7-70
8.0 AQUATIC ECOLOGY 8-1
8.1 THE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT 8-1
8.1.1 REGIONAL DESCRIPTION 8-1
-------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(Continued, Page 6 of 7)
Section Page
8.1.2 SITE-SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION 8-2
8.1.2.1 HORSE CREEK 8-4
8.1.2.2 BRUSHY CREEK 8-4
8.1.2.3 SHIRTTAIL BRANCH 8-5
8.1.2.4 DOE BRANCH 8-5
8.1.2.5 PLUNDER BRANCH 8-6
8.1.2.6 COON'S BAY BRANCH 8-6
8.1.3 METHODOLOGY 8-6
8.1.3.1 PHYTOPLANKTON 8-7
8.1.3.2 PERIPHYTON 8-7
8.1.3.3 BENTHIC MACROINVERTEBRATES 8-7
8.1.3.4 FISH 8-8
8.1.4 COMMUNITY ANALYSIS 8-8
8.1.4.1 PHYTOPLANKTON 8-8
8.1.4.2 PERIPHYTON 8-14
8.1.4.3 BENTHIC INFAUNA 8-15
8.1.4.4 EPIFAUNA 8-19
8.1.4.5 FISH 8-25
8.1.5 SUMMARY 8~27
8.2 REFERENCES: AQUATIC ECOLOGY 8-168
9.0 TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGY 9-1
9.1 THE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT 9-1
9.1.1 REGIONAL DESCRIPTION 9-1
9.1.2 SITE-SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION 9-2
0.1.2.1 VEGETATION AND WILDLIFE 9-2
9.1.2.2 WETLAND/DRAINAGE UNIT DESCRIPTIONS 9-46
9.1.2.3 WETLANDS CLASSIFICATION 9-55
9.1.2.4 THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES 9-74
9.1.2.5 RECREATIONALLY AND COMMERCIALLY 9-85
IMPORTANT WILDLIFE
9.2 REFERENCES: TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGY 9-87
10.0 SOCIOECONOMICS 10-1
10.1 THE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT 10-1
10.1.1 POPULATION, INCOME AND EMPLOYMENT 10-1
10.1.1.1 POPULATION 10-1
10.1.1.2 INCOME 10-3
vi
-------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(Continued, Page 7 of 7)
Section
10.1.1.3 EMPLOYMENT
10.1.1.4 PROJECTIONS
10.1.2 LAND USE 10-9
10.1.2.1 LAND USE IN HARDEE COUNTY 10-9
10.1.2.2 ON-SITE LAND USE 10-12
10.1.2.3 PRIME AND UNIQUE FARMLAND 10-16
10.1.3 TRANSPORTATION 10-17
10.1.3.1 HIGHWAY TRANSPORTATION 10-17
10.1.3.2 RAIL TRANSPORTATION 10-20
10.1.3.3 WATER TRANSPORTATION 10-21
10.1.3.4 AIR TRANSPORTATION 10-21
10.1.4 COMMUNITY SERVICES AND FACILITIES 10-21
10.1.4.1 HOUSING 10-21
10.1.4.2 SCHOOLS 10-23
10.1.4.3 FIRE PROTECTION 10-23
10.1.4.4 POLICE PROTECTION 10-26
10.1.4.5 HEALTH SERVICES 10-26
10.1.4.6 RECREATION 10-27
10.1.4.7 PUBLIC UTILITIES 10-28
10.1.5 PUBLIC FINANCE 10-30
10.1.6 CULTURAL RESOURCES 10-34
10.1.6.1 OVERVIEW 10-34
10.1.6.2 ON-SITE RESOURCES 10-36
10.1.7 VISUAL RESOURCES 10-37
10.2 REFERENCES: SOCIOECONOMICS 10-39
APPENDIX A—GROUND WATER QUALITY MONITORING DATA
APPENDIX B--SURFACE WATER QUALITY MONITORING DATA
vii
-------
LIST OF TABLES
Table Page
2.1.1-1 Physical Composition of the Phosphate Ore 2-2
2.1.5-1 Existing and Post-Reclamation Land Use 2-13
2.3.10-1 Reagent Tankage Requirements 2-42
2.4.4-1 Summary of Sand/Clay Mix Data 2-48
2.6.1-1 Acreage to be Disturbed and Preserved 2-70
2.6.2-1 Landforms Remaining After Mining 2-72
2.6.5-1 Reclamation Sequence for Sand/Clay Landfills 2-96
2.6.5-2 Proposed Reclamation Schedule 2-103
2.6.6-1 Existing and Post-Reclamation Drainage Areas 2-105
3.1.2-1 Monthly and Annual Average Temperatures (*F) at 3-4
Wauchula and the Proposed CF Mine Site
3.1.2-2 Monthly and Annual Average Rainfall (inches) at 3-5
Wauchula and the Proposed CF Mine Sice
3.1.3-1 Federal and State of Florida AAOS and Allowable PSD 3-13
Increments (ug/m^)
3.1.4-1 Summary of Point and Area Source Emissions in Study 3-16
Area
3.1.5-1 Summary of 24-Hour Total Suspended Particulate Matter 3-18
Concentrations Measured on the CF Industries Site,
1976-1981
3.1.5-2 Ambient Sulfur Dioxide Concentrations Measured on the 3-20
CF Industries Site, 1976-1981
3.1.5-3 Ambient Fluoride Concentrations Measured on the CF 3-21
Industries Site, 1976-1981
3.2.2-1 Yearly Average Equivalent Sound Levels Requisite to 3-25
Protect the Public Health and Welfare
3.2.2-2 Federal Highway Administration Design Noise Level/ 3-27
Land Use Relationships
3.2.3-1 1975 Generalized Land Use in Hardee County 3-29
3.2.3-2 Typical Values of Yearly Day-Night Average Sound 3-31
Level for Various Residential Neighborhoods Vlhere
There are No Well-Defined Sources of Noise Other
Than Usual Transportation Noise
4.1.3-1 Characteristics of Site Soils 4-17
4.1.3-2 Hydraulic Conductivity Values for Soils of the Site 4-21
5.1.1-1 Representative Radium-226 Concentrations in Central 5-7
Florida Phosphate Area Environment
5.1.2-1 Maximum External Gamma Radiation Dosage Encountered 5-12
on CF Property
viii
-------
LIST OF TABLES
(Continued, Page 2 of 6)
Table Page
5.1.2-2 External Gamma Radiation Measured by TLOs on CF 5-13
Property From Third Quarter 1981 Through Second
Quarter 1982
5.1.2-3 Radium-226 Analyses of Top Soil, Pasture Grass 5-15
Samples, and Stream Sediments Collected From the CF
Industries Property
5.1.2-4 Radium-226 Analyses of Core Samples Collected From 5-16
the CF Industries Property
5.1.2-5 Summary of Ground Water Ra-226 Average Gross Alpha 5-20
Data for the CF Site
5.1.2-6 Summary of Radium-226 Concentration in Surface Water, 5-21
January 1976 Through March 1981
5.1.2-7 Summary of Radium-226 Concentration in Surface Water 5-22
From July 1981 Through June 1982
5.1.2-8 Summary of Gross Alpha Concentration in Surface Water 5-23
From July 1981 Through June 1982
6.1.1-1 Geohydrologic Characteristics of the Lithological 6-2
Units
6.1.2-1 Shallow Aquifer Hydrologic Characteristics 6-13
6.1.2-2 Inventory of Wells in the Vicinity of CF Industries 6-34
Hardee County Phosphate Project Site
6.1.2-3 Summary of Aquifer and Confining Bed Characteristics 6-40
6.1.3-1 Median Values and Ranges of Water Quality 6-43
Characteristics for Hardee County
6.1.4-1 Results of Split Sampling Conducted by CF/ESE on 6-47
Three Wells, October 1981
6.1.4-2 Location and Description of Existing Wells Drilled 6-4<»
by CF Mining Corporation
6.1.4-3 Mean Concentrations of Water Quality Data Collected 6-50
from Shallow Aquifer Wells from July 1981 Through
June 1982
6.1.4-4 Mean Concentration of Water Quality Data Collected 6-54
From Secondary Artesian Aquifer From July 1981
Through June 1982
6.1.4-5 Mean Concentration of Water Quality Data Collected 6-57
From Floridan Aquifer From July 1981 Through June
1982
6.1.4-6 Summary of Ground Water Quality Data Collected During 6-58
1975 Pump Tests
7.1.1-1 Summary of Pertinent Data From IJSGS Stations in the 7-2
Region
7.1.2-1 Annual Range of Discharges Recorded on Streams 7-10
Draining CF Property, January 1976 Through
March 1<>82
7.1.2-2 Drainage Areas and Average Flows for Each Surface 7-12
Water Sampling Station
7.1.2-3 Monthly Rainfall on CF Property, July 1981 Through 7-13
June 1982
7.1.2-4 Summary of Instantaneous Flows Measured at Surface 7-19
Water Stations
ix
-------
LIST OF TABLES
(Continued, Page 3 of 6)
Table Page
7.1.3-1 Comparison Summary of Selected Water Quality Para- 7-22
meters Along Horse Creek
7.1.3-2 Summary of Water Quality Data for Horse Creek Near 7-23
Arcadia (USGS Station 02297310)
7.1.3-3 Summary of Water Quality Data for Peace River at 7-25
Zolfo Springs (USGS Station 02295637)
7.1.3-4 Comparison Summary of Water Quality Data Along Peace 7-26
River
7.1.4-1 Surface Water Quality Parameters 7-29
7.1.4-2 Summary of Water Quality Data Collected at WQ-11 7-32
and WQ-9 From July 1981 Through September 1981
7.1.4-3 Summary of Water Quality Data Collected at 7-33
Station WQ-6
7.1.4-4 Summary of Water Quality Data Collected on Brushy 7-34
Creek Downstream of Complex II
7.1.4-5 Summary of Water Quality Data Collected At 7-35
Station MCC-12
7.1.4-6 Summary of Water Quality Data Collected at WQ-10 and 7-39
WQ-8, July 1981 Through June 1982
7.1.4-7 Summary of Water Quality Data Collected at WQ-5, 7-40
July 1981 Through June 1982, and WQ-12, July 1981
Through September 1981
7.1.4-8 Summary of Water Quality Data Collected at WQ-5 7-41
by CF Industries
7.1.4-9 Summary of Water Quality Data Collected at WQ-1 and 7-45
WQ-7, September 1981 through June 1982
7.1.4-10 Summary of Water Quality Data Collected at 7-46
WQ-1 by CF Industries
7.1.4-11 Summary of Water Quality Data Collected at 7-47
WQ-7 by CF Industries
7.1.4-12 Summary of Water Quality Data Collected at WQ-4, 7-48
September 1981 through June 1982
7.1.4-13 Summary of Water Quality Data Collected at WQ-4 7-49
by CF Industries
7.1.4-14 Summary of Water Quality Data Collected at WQ-2 7-50
and WQ-3, September 1981 through June 1982
7.1.4-15 Summary of Water Quality Data Collected at WQ-2 7-51
by CF Industries
7.1.4-16 Summary of Water Quality Data Collected at WQ-3 7-52
at CF Industries
7.1.4-17 Summary of Water Quality Data Collected at WQ-13 7-57
and WQ-14, September 1981 through June 1982
7.1.4-18 Summary of Water Quality Data Collected at 7-60
Stations SW-11 and MCC-5
7.1.4-19 Summary of Violations of Class, III Standards 7-61
Observed During EIS Monitoring
7.1.4-20 Summary of Violations of Class III Standards 7-63
Measured in Streams Draining CF Property
7.1.4-21 Summary of Water Quality Data Collected from 7-66
CF's Mine Recirculation System at Stations MDW-1
and NOW-2
7.1.4-22 Summary of Chemical Analyses Performed on Stream 7-68
Sediment Samples
-------
LIST OF TABLES
(Continued, Page 4 of 6)
Page
Presence/Absence Matrix of PhytopLankton Taxa 8-28
Identified from CF Complex II Site, July 1981
Presence/Absence Matrix of Phytoolankton Taxa 8-30
Identified from CF Complex Site II, August 1981
Presence/Absence Matrix of Phytoolankton Taxa 8-32
Identified from CF Complex II Site, September 1981
Presence/Absence Matrix of Phytoplankton Taxa 8-34
Identified from CF Complex II Site, October 1981
Presence/Absence Matrix of Phytoplankton Taxa 8-36
Identified from CF Complex II Site, February 1982
Density (#/ml) and Percent Composition (PCT) of 8-39
Phytoplankton Taxa Identified from CF Hardee Phosphate
Complex II Site, July 1981
8.1.4-7 Phytoplankton Abundance, Number of Taxa, Species 8-47
Diversity, Richness and Evenness Indices for
CF Hardee Complex II Sampling Stations
8.1.4-8 Density (0/ral) and Percent Composition (PCT) of 8-49
Phytoplankton Taxa Identified from CF Complex II
Site, August 1981
8.1.4-9 Density (#/ml) and Percent Composition (PCT) of 8-57
Phytoplankton Taxa Identified from CF Complex II
Site, September 1981
8.1.4-10 Density (#/ml) and Percent Composition (PCT) of 8-65
Phytoplankton Taxa Identified from CF Complex II
Site, October 1981
8.1.4-11 Density (#/ml) and Percent Composition (PCT) of 8-73
Phytoplankton Taxa Identified from CF Complex II
Site, February 1982
8.1.4-12 Presence/Absence Matrix of Periphyton Taxa 8-85
Identified from CF Complex II Site, July 1981
8.1.4-13 Presence/Absence Matrix of Periphyton Taxa 8-87
Identified from CF Complex II Site, August 1981
8.1.4-14 Presence/Absence Matrix of Periphyton Taxa 8-89
Identified from CF Complex II Site, September 1981
8.1.4-15 Presence/Absence Matrix of Periphyton Taxa 8-91
Identified from CF Complex II Site, October 1981
8.1.4-16 Presence/Absence Matrix of Periphyton Taxa 8-94
Identified from CF Complex II Site, February 1982
8.1.4-17 Presence/Absence Matrix of Benthic Infaunal Taxa 8-97
Identified from CF Complex II Site, July 1981
8.1.4-18 Presence/Absence Matrix of Benthic Infaunal Taxa 8-98
Identified from CF-Complex II Site, August 19H1
8.1.4-19 Presence/Absence Matrix of Benthic Infaunal Taxa 8-100
Identified from CF Complex II Site, September 1981
8.1.4-20 Presence/Absence Matrix of Benthic Infaunal Taxa 8-102
Identified from CF Complex II Site, October 1981
8.1.4-21 Presence/Absence Matrix of Benthic Infaunal Taxa 8-101
Identified from CF Complex II Site, February 1982
8.1.4-22 Density (#/ra2) and Percent Coraoosition (PCT) of 8-104
Benthic Infauna Identified from CF Complex II Site,
July 1981
xi
-------
LIST OF TABLKS
(Continued, Page "> of
Page
Density (#/m2) and Percent Composition (PCT) of 8-109
Benthic Infauna Identified from CF Complex II Site,
August 1981
8.1.4-24 Density (#/m2) and Percent Composition (PCT) of 8-114
Benthic Infauna Identified from CF Complex II Site,
September 1981
8.1.4-25 Density (*/m2) and Percent Composition (PCX) of 8-120
Benthic Infauna Identified in Horse Creek, October
1981
8.1.4-26 Density (#/m2) and Percent Composition (PCT) of 8-123
Benthic Infauna Identified in Horse Creek, February
1982
8.1.4-27 Shannon-Weaver Diversity (H1), Margalef's Species 8-126
Richness (Y), and Pielou's Evenness(E) Indices for
Benthic Infauna Identified from CF Complex II Site,
July 1981 to February 1982
8.1.4-28 Presence/Absence Matrix of Benthic Epifaunal Taxa 8-128
Identified from CF Complex II Site, July 1981
8.1.4-29 Presence/Absence Matrix of Benthic Epifaunal Taxa 8-130
Identified from CF Complex II Site, August 1981
8.1.4-30 Presence/Absence Matrix of Benthic Epifaunal Taxa 8-134
Identified from CF Complex II Site, September 1981
8.1.4-31 Presence/Absence Matrix of Benthic Epifaunal Taxa 8-139
Identified from CF Complex II Site, October 1981
8.1.4-32 Presence/Absence Matrix of Benthic Epifaunal Taxa 8-143
Identified from CF Complex II Site, February 1981
8.1.4-33 Density (#/m2) and Percent Composition (PCT) of 8-146
Fauna Colonizing Hester-Dendy Samplers, July to
August 1981
8.1.4-34 Density (#/ra2) and Percent Composition (PCT) of, 8-151
Fauna Colonizing Hester-Dendy Samplers, August to
September 1981
8.1.4-35 Density (#/m2) and Percent Composition (PCT) of 8-156
Fauna Colonizing Hester-Dendy Samplers, September
to October 1981
8.1.4-36 Shannon-Weaver Diversity, Margalef's Species 8-161
Richness, and Pielou's Evenness Indices Calculated
for Hester-Dendy Multiplate Samplers
8.1.4-37 Species Presence/Absence Matrix by Transect and 8-162
Habitat, Mitchell Hammock, February 1982
8.1.4-38 Presence/Absence Matrix of Fish and Amphibians 8-167
Identified from CF Complex 11 Site, August 1981
to February 1982
9.1.2-1 Legend, Acreages, and Percentages for CF Industries 9-3
Hardee Phosphate Complex II Proposed Mine Site
Vegetation Map
9.1.2-2 Species Composition of Plant Communities on the CF 9-7
Industries Hardee Phosphate Complex II Proposed Mine
Site
xii
-------
LIST OF TABLES
(Continued, Paj>e 6 of 6)
Amphibians and Reptiles Known or Expected to Occur 9-30
on the CF Industries Hardee Phosphate Complex II
Proposed Mine Site
9.1.2-4 Bird Species Known or Expected to Occur on the 9-32
CF Industries Hardee Phosphate Complex II Proposed
Mine Site
9.1.2-5 Terrestrial Mammal Species Known or Expected to 9-38
Occur on the CF Industries Hardee Phosphate Complex II
Proposed Mine Site
9.1.2-6 EPA Category I, II, and III, Wetland Acreages of the 9-62
CF Industries Hardee Phosphate Complex II Proposed
Mine Site
9.1.2-7 Summary of EPA Category Acreages by Creek/Drainage 9-68
for CF Industries Hardee Phosphate Complex II
Proposed Mine Site
9.1.2-8 Threatened or Endangered Plant Species Which May 9-76
Occur on the CF Industries Hardee Phosphate Complex II
Proposed Mine Site
9.1.2-9 Status of Endangered (E), Threatened (T), and Species 9-79
of Special Concern (S) Wildlife Species Whose Ranges
Include the CF Industries Hardee Phosphate Complex II
Proposed Mine Site
10.1.1-1 Population and Growth Rates for Hardee County, the 10-2
Central Florida Region, and Florida
10.1.1-2 Per Capital Income on a Place-of-Residence Basis, 10-4
1975-1982
10.1.1-3 Estimated Average Monthly Employment in Hardee 10-6
County and the Region by Industrial Sector, 1982
10.1.1-4 Population Projections for the State, Region, and 10-8
Hardee County
10.1.2-1 1975 Generalized Land Use in Hardee County 10-10
10.1.2-2 Present On-Site Land Use 10-13
10.1.3-1 Annual Average Daily Traffic Counts for Points on 10-19
Major Highways in Hardee. County, 1983 and 1984
10.1.4-1 Housing Characteristics for Year-Round Housing Stock 10-22
in the Region
10.1.4-2 Building Permit Activity, Number of New Housing 10-24
Units Authorized
10.1.4-3 Hardee County School District—Selected 10-25
Characteristics
10.I.5-1 Revenues and Expenditures of County Governments in 10-31
Region—Fiscal Year 1982-1983
10.1.5-2 Revenues and Expenditures of Municipal Governments 10-32
in Hardee County—Fiscal Year 1982-1983
10.1.5-3 Mi 11age Rates for Hardee County and Municipalities 10-33
xiii
-------
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure Page
l.l-l General Location of Central Florida Phosphate 1-2
District and the CF Industries Existing Hardee
Phosphate Complex I and Proposed Kardee Phosphate
Complex II
1.1-2 Prooosed Hardee Phosphate Complex II 1-3
2.1-1 Initial Start-Up Areas for Plant Construction, Waste 2-4
Disposal, and Mining
2.1-2 CF Industries' Proposed Preservation Areas 2-6
(Category 1-A Wetlands)
2.1-3 Perimeter Ditch Around Preserved Wetlands 2-8
2.1-4A Conceptual Dragline Crossing at Horse Creek Section 32, 2-9
T33S, R23E
2.1-4B Conceptual Dragline Crossing at Horse Creek Section 32, 2-10
T33S, R23E
2.1-5 Dragline Mining Sequence 2-15
2.1-6 Watershed Disturbed Acreage vs. Undisturbed and 2-21
Reclaimed Acreage (for those Watersheds > 1,000 acres)
2.1-7 Total Tract Disturbed Acreage vs. Undisturbed and 2-22
Reclaimed Acreage
2.2-1 Schematic Flow Diagram for SLurried Matrix Transport 2-2A
2.3-1 Location of Plant Site Alternatives 2-27
2.3-2 Location of Plant Site 1 2-28
2.3-3 General Plant Layout 2-29
2.3-4 Generalized Process Flowsheet 2-31
2.3-5 Schematic of Washer Section 2-32
2.3-6 Schematic of Sizing Section 2-34
2.3-7 Schematic of Flotation Plant Area 2-35
2.3-8 Schematic of Wet Rock Storage Area 2-37
2.3-9 Reagent Area of Beneficiation Plant 2-41
2.4-1A Waste Disposal Plan 2-49
2.4-1B Waste Disposal Plan 2-50
2.5-1 Mine Water Balance (Daily Average) 2-53
2.5-2 Conceptual Waste Disposal and Water Recirculation Plan 2-56
for Initial Start-Up
2.5-3 Typical Production Well 2-60
2.6-1 Reclamation of Sand/Clay Mix Areas 2-75
2.6-2 Reclamation of Sand Tailings Fill Areas 2-77
2.6—3 Conceptual Land-and-Lakes Reclamation 2-78
2.6-4 Post-Reclamation Land Use: Complex II, Eastern Section 2-80
2.6-5 Post-Reclamation Land Use: Complex II, Western Section 2-81
2.6-6 Pre-Mining Topography and Drainage Boundaries: 2-85
Complex LI, Eastern Section
2.6-7 Pre-Mining Topography and Drainage Boundaries: 2-85
Complex II, Western Section
2.6-8 Post-Reclamation Topography: Complex II, Eastern 2-87
Section
2.6-9 Post-Reclamation Topography: Complex II, Western 2-88
Section
2.6-10 Reclamation Sequence Year 10: Complex II, Eastern 2-97
Section
2.6-11 Reclamation Sequence Year 10: Complex II, Western 2-98
Section
xiv
-------
LIST OF FIGURES
(Continued, Page 2 of 3)
Figure
Page
2.6-12 Reclamation Sequence Year 21: Complex II, Eastern 2-99
Sec t ion
2.6-13 Reclamation Sequence Year 21: Complex II, Western 2-10(1
Sect ion
2.6-14 Reclamation Sequence Year 27: Complex H, Eastern 2-101
Section
2.6-15 Reclamation Sequence Year 27: Complex II, Western 2-102
Sect ion
3.1-1 CF Air and Meteorological Monitoring Stations 3-2
3.1-2 Five Year (1971-1975) Annual Average Wind Rose for 3-7
the NWS Station at TIA
3.1-3 Five Year (1971-1975) Seasonal Average Wind Roses 3-8
for the NWS Station at TIA
3.1-4 Annual Average Wind Rose for the CF Site, 1981 3-9
3.1-5 Seasonal Average Wind Roses for the CF Site, 1981 3-10
3.2-1 Transportation Facilities in Hardee County 3-30
3.2-2 Examples of Outdoor Day-Night Sound Level in dB 3-32
(RE 20 Micropascals) Measured at Various Locations
4.1-1 Physiographic Features in Site Region 4-2
4.1-2 Generalized Stratigraphic Column 4-4
4.1-3 Regional Structural Features 4-5
4.1-4 Summary of Site Geology 4-7
4.1-5 Isopach Map Showing Thickness of Material Between 4-13
Ore Zone and Hawthorn Limestone
4.1-6 Generalized Cross Section of Upper Stratigraphy 4-14
on Complex II
4.1-7 Reconnaissance Soil Survey Map of Site 4-16
5.1-1 Uranium-238 Decay Series 5-4
5.1-2 Average Uranium Concentrations as '^Og Typical 5-6
Central Florida Phosphate District Profile
5.1-3 Location of Environmental Monitoring Stations 5-10
5.1-4 Locations of Core Borings, Soils Samples, and 5-14
Pasture Grass Samples Collected on CF Property
6.1-1 Seasonal Fluctuations of the Floridan Aquifer 6-5
Potentiometric Surface in a USGS Well
6.1-2 Potentiometric Surface of Floridan Aquifer, May 1981 6-6
6.1-3 Potentiometric Surface of Floridan Aquifer, September 6-7
1981
6.1-4 Stratifcraphic Column, Deep Floridan Test Well 6-10
6.1-5 Location of Hydrologic Data Collection Stations 6-11
6.1-6 Hydrograph of Shallow Aquifer Well SA-17 on CF 6-15
Complex II, January 1976 Through .June 1982
6.1-7 Hydrographs of Shallow Aquifer Wells on CF Property, 6-16
July 1981 Through June 1982
6.1-8 Potentiometric Surface of Shallow Aquifer in 6-18
September 1981
6.1-9 Potentiometric Surface of Shallow Aquifer in May 1982 6-19
6.1-10 Hydrographs of Secondary Artesian Aquifer Wells on CF 6-21
Property, July 1981 Through June 1982
xv
-------
MST OF FIGURES
(Continued, Page 3 of 3)
Figure Page
6.1-11 Summary of Flowmeter Data Indicating Depths of 6-24
Principal Water-Bearing Zones at the DF Well
6.1-12 Hydrograph of Floridan Aquifer Well LF-4 on CF 6-2"
Complex II, February 1976 Through June 1982
6.1-13 Hydrographs of Floridan Aquifer Wells on CF 6-31
Complex II, July 1981 Through June 1982
6.1-14 Location of Wells in the Vicinity of CF Industries 6-38
Hardee County Phosphate Project Area
6.1-15 Depth to Base of Potable Water Zone in Floridan 6-44
Aquifer, 1975
7.1-1 Peace River Drainage Basin 7-3
7.1-2 Drainage Basin Areas on Complex II Property 7-5
7.1-3 Location of Hydrologic Data Collection Stations 7-8
7.1-4 Hydrograph of Average Daily Flow at Station WQ-3 7-15
(Payne Creek) Exiting CF Industries Property,
June 1981 Through June 1982
7.1-5 Hydrograph of Average Daily Flow at Station WQ-4 7-16
(Gum Swamp Branch), Entering CF Property From
June 1981 Through June 1982
7.1-6 Hydrograph of Average Daily Flow at Station WQ-7 7-17
(Hickey Branch) Exiting CF Property, June 1981
Through June 1982
7.1-7 Hydrograph of Average Daily Flow at Station WQ-11 7-18
(Horse Creek), August 1981 Through June 1982
7.1-8 Locations of Regional Water Quality Stations 7-21
7.1-9 Locations of Point Source Discharges on Complex I 7-53
8.1-1 Aquatic Ecology Sampling Station Locations 8-3
9.1-1 Vegetation Map 9-4
9.1-2 Wet land/Drainage Study Units 9-47
9.1-3 Wetlands Delineation Map 9-60
10.1-1 On-Site Cultural Features 10-14
10.1-2 Transportation Facilities in Hardee County 10-18
xvi
-------
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROJECT
CF Industries, Inc. (CF) currently owns and operates phosphate mining
and beneficiation facilities, known as the Hardee Phosphate Complex I
Mine, in northwest Hardee County, Florida. These existing operations
were initiated in 1978 and are planned to continue through 1997.
Approximately one million tons per year of phosphate rock are currently
being processed at this mine.
CF is proposing to develop and operate a new phosphate mine and benefi-
ciation facilities on a 14,994-acre site in Hardee County just south of
its existing mining operation. The proposed operation will be referred
to as the Hardee Phosphate Complex II Mine. Figure 1.1-1 shows the
general location of CF's existing mine and the proposed mine. The
proposed mine site is located east of Horse Creek and south of State
Road 62. The site is rectangular in shape, extending about 10 miles in
a east-west direction and about 2.5 miles north-south. Figure 1.1-2
presents a more detailed view of the proposed mine site, including CF's
planned locations for the beneficiation plant and the 300-acre site
planned for the initial clay settling area.
According to CF's proposed Plan of Action, construction of the bene-
ficiation plant, adjoining storage and settling areas, and initial
clearing and site preparation activities at the proposed mine are
scheduled to begin in 1988, with mining commencing in 1989. The mining
operations will be designed to produce approximately 2 million tons per
year of phosphate rock during the first phase of mining, utilizing a
single dragline operation. During the second phase (beginning about
1997) and for the remainder of the projected 27-year life of the mine,
the operation will be expanded to 4 million tons per year with the
addition of a second dragline. The phosphate rock produced from this
new facility would replace CF's rock supply currently provided by
another phosphate mining company under two long-term contracts with
expiration dates in 1984 and 1988, respectively.
1-1
-------
CENTRAL FLORID* LAND-PEBBLE
PHOSPHITE DISTRICT
141
PROPOSED HARDEE
PHOSPHATE COMPLEX II
EXISTING HARDEE
PHOSPHATE COMPLEX
SCAU M WHS
Figure 1.1-1
GENERAL LOCATION OF CENTRAL FLORIDA PHOSPHATE DISTRICT
AND THE CF INDUSTRIES EXISTING HARDEE PHOSPHATE COMPLEX I
AND PROPOSED HARDEE PHOSPHATE COMPLEX II
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
CF INDUSTRIES
Hardee Phosphate Complex II
-------
BENEFICIATION PLANT
INITIAL SETTLING AND STORAGE AREA
SOURCES: CF INDUSTRIES, 1981.
ESE, 1984.
Figure 1.1-2
PROPOSED HARDEE PHOSPHATE COMPLEX II
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
CF INDUSTRIES
Hardee Phosphate Complex
-------
The proposed operations will involve mining and processing methods which
are commonly used in the extraction and processing of phosphate ore in
the Central Florida Land-Pebble Phosphate District. Major phases of the
proposed operation will include:
1. Clearing and preparing the site for operations and constructing
the processing plant, initial settling areas, well fields,
water and wastewater control and recirculation systems,
transportation systems, and other ancillary operations;
2. Extracting the phosphate ore-bearing matrix by electric-powered
dragline;
3. Transporting the matrix to the central processing plant;
A. Physically separating the phosphate,ore from the sand and clay
wastes;
5. Disposing of the sand and clay wastes;
6. Shipping the phosphate ore from the facility by rail; and
7. Reclaiming or restoring the disturbed areas.
1.2 REQUIREMENT FOR EIS PREPARATION
CF plans to locate and design the proposed operations for the proposed
mine in such a manner that the process wastewater generated from mine
dewatering, phosphate beneficiation, sand and clay waste settling,
surface water runoff, and other processes will be contained in an
extensive recirculation system. This system is intended to provide for
maximum reuse of water within the operation in order to minimize the
withdrawal of ground water for use in the operations as well as minimize
the discharge of process waters from the site. However, during certain
periods of the operation or times of the year, CF anticipates that some
of the recirculating water will need to be discharged from this system
to nearby wetlands and/or surface waters.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Region IV, has deter-
mined that due to these wastewater discharges, the proposed CF mining
operations at the Hardee Phosphate Complex II mine will constitute a
"new source" discharge facility under Section 306 of the Federal Clean
-------
Water Act of 1977 (FCWA), as amended. As a new source facility, the
proposed CF operations are subject to the National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System (NPDES) new source effluent limitations and permit
requirements under Section 402 of the FCWA. Also, it is possible that
the proposed operations will be subject to the dredge and fill permit
requirements of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) under Section 404
of the FCWA. The issuance of a NPDES permit by EPA and/or a dredge and
fill permit by COE may represent major federal actions, significantly
affecting the quality of the human environment. Therefore, prior to
issuance, permit approvals may be subject to the requirements of the
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) requiring preparation
of a detailed Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
EPA Region IV has determined that the proposed CF phosphate mining and
processing operations represents a new source and major federal action
significantly affecting the quality of the human environment under NEPA.
Therefore, as a prerequisite to granting the NPDES permits, a detailed,
site-specific EIS on the proposed CF phosphate raining operation in
Hardee County, Florida, must be prepared.
EPA Region IV accepted the lead agency responsibility for preparation of
this Environmental Impact Statement.
The EIS document is prepared as an assessment of the impacts of the
proposed mining operation. The EIS includes an investigation and
evaluation of the environmental issues and alternatives associated with
the proposed operation. In this process, the EIS provides a vehicle for
public and agency involvement and establishes a framework for assessment
of project-related issues. The result is a logical, orderly
decision-making process upon which EPA and other regulatory agencies can
base their decisions regarding the issuance of applicable permits and
approvals.
In order to expedite the EIS preparation process, EPA and CF elected to
comply with the NEPA requirements by a "Third Party" consultant
-------
arrangement. Under this arrangement, EPA (as lead federal agency) and
CF (as applicant for federal permit approval) entered into a Memorandum
of Understanding (MOU) whereby CF engaged and retained at its expense,
an independent Third Party consultant acceptable to EPA, for the
preparation of the detailed EIS. EPA retained responsibility for
content of the EIS and therefore, direct supervision, review, and
approval of all work performed by the Third Party consultant. Also,
under this arrangement, other concerned regulatory agencies (such as
COE) served as cooperating agencies, reviewing and commenting on the EIS
to EPA as the lead agency.
Environmental Science and Engineering, Inc. (ESE) was approved by EPA to
serve as CF's Third Party consultant. ESE's role involved the assimila-
tion and analysis of all environmental data for the EIS. All work
products generated by ESE were submitted simultaneously to EPA and CF
for review. Any technical changes in these work products requested by
CF required EPA approval. Any technical direction given to ESE by EPA
which was beyond the scope of work defined in ESE's contract with CF had
to be approved by CF prior to commencing of work efforts. During the
project, EPA, CF, and ESE interacted freely with one another as a team.
1.3 STATUS OF OTHER PERMITTING REQUIREMENTS
In addition to the previously discussed requirements, CF was responsible
for performing environmental studies for fulfilling certain other
federal, state, and local requirements and conditions needed to obtain
applicable permits and regulatory approvals, prior to initiation of the
proposed operations at the Hardee Phosphate Complex II mine.
CF iniciated the environmental permitting program for its Hardee County
phosphate operations in the mid-1970s by conducting studies on both the
existing mine and proposed mine sites. These studies involved mining,
reclamation, hydrology, geology, air quality, radiation, aquatic and
terrestrial ecology, water quality, socioeconomics, and archaeology. To
date, the results of these studies have been used primarily by
1-6
-------
CF Industries to fulfill the following three key regulatory
requirements:
1. Consumptive Use Permit—Approved by the Southwest Florida Water
Management District (SWFWMD) on March 10, 1976;
2. Application for Development Approval/Development of Regional
Impact (ADA/DRI)—Approved Development Order issued by Hardee
County, June 30, 1976; and
3. Mineral Extraction Permit and Zoning Variance
Approval—Approved by Hardee County, June 30, 1976.
These previously completed requirements, which have received favorable
governmental approvals, involved all the lands which CF owned and
planned to mine in Hardee County. Therefore, the regulatory approvals
of these three requirements covered both the existing mine and the
proposed mine site. The following sections briefly describe these
previously completed regulatory requirements.
1.3.1 CONSUMPTIVE USE OF WATER PERMIT
Under the Florida Water Resources Act of 1972, Chapter 373, Florida
Statutes, regional water management districts are charged with the
responsibility of regulating water usage in the state. The regional
district with jurisdiction in the proposed mining area is Southwest
Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD). Under Chapter 16J-2,
Florida Administrative Code (FAC), SWFWMD requires a permit for the
consumptive use of water if the withdrawal during any single day is to
exceed one million gallons. Since the CF mining operations required
water amounts in excess of these threshold limits, a SWFWMD Consumptive
Use of Water Permit was required.
In 1975, CF conducted extensive aquifer pump tests on the proposed site
to determine the effects of an average annual withdrawal of 15.74
million gallons of water per day from four production wells and a
surface reservoir, and a maximum daily withdrawal of 20.20 million
gallons per day.
1-7
-------
Based on the results of these studies, CF prepared and submitted an
Application for Consumptive Use permit to SWFWMD on January 2, 1976.
After reviewing the application, SWFWMD granted CF a permit for the
consumptive use of ground and surface water in the amount cited above,
subject to certain terms and conditions. Thus, CF fulfilled the
requirements and obtained a Consumptive Use Permit for SWFWMD for its
operations.
1.3.2 APPLICATION FOR DEVELOPMENT APPROVAL/DEVELOPMENT OF REGIONAL
IMPACT
According to Rule 22F-2.06, FAC, if a mining operation will disturb more
than 100 acres per year or consume more than 3 million gallons per day
(mgd) of water, the operation will be presumed to be a Development of
Regional Impact (DRl). In addition, under Chapter 380, Florida
Statutes, the developer proposing to construct the DRI project must
prepare an Application for Development Approval (ADA) which includes a
comprehensive assessment of the regional impacts that the proposed
development will have on the environment. This DRI application is
reviewed, and recommendations or approvals are made by various state,
regional, and local agencies. However, the DRI application must be
ultimately approved by the local government (usually the county) prior
to beginning construction.
The CF mining operations required preparation of an ADA/DRI which needed
approval of Hardee County. The regional planning council responsible
for reviewing and making recommendations to the county concerning the
accuracy and sufficiency of the information in the ADA/DRI and its
approval was the Central Florida Regional Planning Council (CFRPC).
As part of its environmental permitting program, CF had an ADA/DRI with
special studies appendices prepared which was submitted to Hardee County
on June 30, 1976. After review of the ADA/DRI, Hardee County adopted
Development Orders which approved the CF application, subject to certain
conditions. Thus, CF fulfilled.the requirements o£ the ADA/DRI from
Hardee County.
1-8
-------
1.3.3 HARDEE COUNTY MINING AND EARTH MOVING ORDINANCE AND ZONING
VARIANCE
Under County Ordinance No. 73-6, Amendment No. 1, Hardee County requires
that a permit for Mineral Extraction be obtained for proposed raining
operations within its boundaries. In addition, the county requires a
zoning variance be applied for and obtained to classify proposed mine
lands as M-l, Mining and Earth Moving District.
In order to fulfill the requirements of the mining ordinance, CF had a
Mining and Reclamation Master Plan prepared in conjunction with the
ADA/DRI. The master plan was submitted to Hardee County with the
ADA/DRI on June 30, 1976, for review and was approved by the county
subject to the same conditions as the ADA/DRI. CF also applied for and
was granted the necessary zoning variance by the county for its
phosphate mining operations.
1.4 THE SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION DOCUMENT
Primary inputs for EIS preparation include (1) the environmental data
collected and the analyses performed in conjunction with previous
permitting efforts for the existing and proposed CF mining operations,
and (2) the data from CF's environmental monitoring program at the mine
sites in Hardee County. ESE was responsible for verifying the technical
quality of these data prior to use in the EIS. In addition, since CF
modified the mining and reclamation plans which were included in the
ADA/DRI and Master Mine Plan, ESE was responsible for reassessing and/or
updating the potential impacts of Che proposed operations as well as
feasible alternatives to the proposed operations.
This Supplemental Information Document (SID) has been prepared to
supplement the Environmental Impact Statement for CF's Hardee Phosphate
Complex II mine. It includes, by technical discipline, findings of fact
and substantive data and analyses to support the evaluations and impact
assessments within the KIS. This SID contains the technical data base
developed from field observations, laboratory investigations,
1-9
-------
mathematical models and analyses, and previously existing data. The SID
includes a description of the Proposed Action and data for the following
technical disciplines:
• Air Resources
• Geotechnical Resources
• Radiation
• Ground Water
• Surface Water
• Aquatic Ecology
• Terrestrial Ecology
• Socioeconomics
Each technical section of this SID is supported by a bibliography of
reference materials used to develop the data base for the EIS.
1-10
-------
2.0 CF INDUSTRIES' PROPOSED ACTION
2.1 DRAGLINE MINING OPERATION
2.1.1 DEPOSIT GEOLOGY
The Ore-Bearing Zone (Matrix) on CF Industries' Hardee County tract
constitutes part of the Bone Valley and Hawthorn Formations, deposited
between 2-15 million years ago when shallow seas inundated much of the
Florida Peninsula during the Miocene and Pliocene epochs. The matrix,
averaging 23.7 feet in thickness, is covered by an overburden of quartz
sand, clay, gravel, and a thin layer of topsoil. This overburden has an
average thickness of 15.4 feet. An underlying bedrock unit is composed
of various limestones overlaid by bedclays. The matrix variey both in
composition and in distribution over the tract, typical for phosphorite
ore bodies in Hardee County.
The ore zone is characterized by phosphate pebbles and fine phosphatic
sand dispersed in a nonphosphatic, sandy clay. The percentage break-
down of this zone is illustrated in Table 2.1.1-1. Only about
20 percent phosphate product is present in the matrix material, the
remainder being regarded as waste materials. The primary phosphate
mineral is collophane, a calcium magnesium fluorapatite that contains
small amounts of other minerals.
In comparison to the phosphate ore being rained in Polk and Hillsborough
Counties, CF Industries' ore is of lower grade and has finer sized
particles. However, both the phosphate product and the clay/sand by-
product content of this ore are typical of ore deposits found throughout
the Southern District. The total reserves of phosphate rock product
which would be recoverable by CF Industries in this project amount to
97.0 million short tons.
2.1.2 LAND CLEARING
Early construction, including receipt and erection of the dragline, was
approved by the EPA. Clearing of existing vegetation for this approved
activity was accomplished as follows:
2-1
-------
Table 2.1.1-1. Physical Composition of the Phosphate Ore
Percent
Phosphate (Pebble) 8.51
Phosphate (Concentrate) 10.97
Waste Clay 19.38
Waste Sand 61 JL4
TOTAL 100.00
Source: CF Industries, 1983.
2-2
-------
• Dragline assembly areas;
• Power line (construction power);
• Partial rail spur; and
• Access road.
Prior to mining, land clearing will be required for construction of the
initial clay settling areas, the initial mining areas, and the powerline
and pipeline right-of-ways. Land clearing for the initial settling
areas will begin as near to the start of construction as feasibly
possible and will require approximately 460 acres of clearing. Two
hundred thirty-two (232) acres are planned for the first year of mining;
however, CF expects to clear only 80 acres initially, most of which will
be completed prior to construction of the initial settling areas
(Figure 2.1-1).
As mining progresses, acreage will gradually be cleared ahead of the
actual mining operation. The average acreage being cleared at any given
time will be about 80 acres, but this figure can vary depending on the
type of land to be cleared and the time of year. During the dry season,
clearing will generally be limited to preparing 3 to 6 months of work
area in advance of the dragline, unless the area to be mined is heavily
vegetated. In the case of pine flatwoods-palraetto rangeland, clearing
must be initiated several months prior to mining to allow complete
removal of any woody material that might interfere with the mining
process. In such areas, it will also be desirable to clear sufficient
land for two to three months mining prior to the onset of the rainy
season. When necessary, vegetation on land to be rained will be burned.
Such open burning would be conducted according to the applicable rules
and regulations (Florida Administrative Code, Chapter 17-5, Open Burning
and Forest Protection Fires; and Chapter 51-2, Rural Open Burning).
These rules specify that:
• Open burning be conducted in a manner, under conditions, and
within certain periods that will reduce or eliminate the
deleterious effect of air pollution caused by open burning.
2-3
-------
ALTERNATE
KPDES OUTFALL
WEIR
NPDES
OUTFALL WEIR
OUTFALL
CONTROL
STRUCTURE
INITIAL
SETTLING
AREA
OUTFALL WEIR
SAND TAILINGS
STORAGE AREA
INITIAL MINING AREA
(FIRST YEAR)
TAILINGS WATER
WATER RETURN DITCU
?uoo FEET
Figure 2.1-1
INITIAL START-UP AREAS FOR PLANT
CONSTRUCTION, WASTE DISPOSAL
AND MINING
SOURCE: CF INDUSTRIES, INC.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
CF INDUSTRIES
Hardee Phosphate Complex
2-4
-------
• Open burning may be conducted only between the hours of 9:00 a.m.
and one hour before sunset, or upon direct permission of the
Division of Forestry for other hours of the day.
• The size, moisture content, and composition of the refuse piles
shall be such so as to minimize air pollution and ensure that all
burning will be completed within the allowable time period.
2.1.3 PRESERVED AREAS
The areas to be preserved from mining occupy approximately 69 acres and
consist of all but 2 acres of the wetlands designated as Category I-A by
the EPA. These proposed preserved wetlands are located in the far
western portion of the site and are contiguous with Horse Creek
(Figure 2.1-2). The two acres of Category 1-A wetlands to be disturbed
will bvi needed for the proposed dragline crossing (see Section 2.1.4).
Category 1-A wetlands are mainstem stream wetlands that are considered
by the EPA to provide important environmental functions and which should
be preserved and .protected from mining.
In addition to the Category I-A wetlands, there are approximately
695 acres of Category I-C and I-D wetlands on the site. These are head-
water and special concern wetlands that are also considered by the EPA
as worthy of preservation and protection. However, the EPA recognizes
the possibility that reclamation technology may proceed to the extent
that fully functional wetlands may be restored. The Florida phosphate
industry, including CF Industries, is currently working on approximately
35 wetland reclamation projects (Florida Institute of Phosphate
Research, I983a). CF Industries believes that these ongoing projects,
together with CF's proposed experimental revegetation program on an
existing sand/clay mix disposal area, will demonstrate that important
functional roles of wetlands can be replaced by reclamation.
Therefore, CF Industries has included the Category I-C and I-D wetlands
within the area to be disturbed by mining activities. Although the mine
2-5
-------
•.
-
J
L2n
•r.,,
OST
n
f
1
; J
I " °V"\ '
SCW- 11
>• It
1, SB «»
OVB OVB | OST
SCIW-3
SCW-«
sc
,.
OST
W-l
SCW-2
OS! OST OSI "
II -,
, ri
a -
OST
"\
INITIAL
SETTLING
ARC*
'Qv***-.-< •••
SCW SANO-CIAY SETTLING ARCAS (West Trlct)
OSI SANO TAIWGS F«.L - OVB CAP AWAS
ov» ovEneunoCN ru.
I f J P«ES€BVEO AREAS
MO A WNf D-OUT AB€»
Figure 2.1-2
CF INDUSTRIES' PROPOSED PRESERVATION AREAS
(CATEGORY I-A WETLANDS)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
CF INDUSTRIES
Hardee Phosphate Complex II
-------
plan and waste disposal plan were developed to include all Category I-C
and I-D wetlands, CF understands the EPA's position on the raining of
these wetlands. Mining will not be allowed within the boundaries of any
of the Category I wetlands unless and until the EPA reconsiders the
categorization or value of these wetlands based upon the proven recrea-
tion of functional hardwood swamp communities and large wetland systems.
CF believes that it can successfully demonstrate a viable, functional
restoration program sufficient to receive EPA approval to mine these
areas in the future. A description of the EPA's wetland categorization
system, as applied to the wetlands on-site, is presented in
Section 9.1.2.3.
The Category I-A wetlands that are to be preserved will also be
protected from the indirect effects of mining. A perimeter ditch will
be constructed around all preserved wetlands when adjacent lands are
being mined. The water level in this ditch will be maintained at or
above the average water table elevation, which should prevent potential
drawdown of the water table within the wetland (Figure 2.1-3.).
The mined land adjacent to these preserved wetlands will be reclaimed to
land-and-lakes (see Section 2.6.2.3) by grading and contouring the
remaining spoil piles. This type of reclamation can be completed in a
short period of time (approximately two years), which will also reduce
the potential effects of mining.
2.1.4 DRAGLINE CROSSINGS
In mine year 20, the dragline mining the west tract will cross the Horse
Creek Category I-A area. This dragline relocation will require an
access corridor across two areas of Horse Creek, located in Town-
ship 33S, Range 23E, Section 32 (Figures 2.1-4A and 2.1-4B). The corri-
dor will be constructed during the dry season when Horse Creek is likely
to be at minimum or no flow conditions. Topography specific to this
area requires minimal grading to establish the corridor. Approximately
two acres will be disturbed for the planned corridor.
The corridor will be the only link between the east and west side of
Horse Creek during all phases of mining activities, including
2-7
-------
APPROXIMATELY 35 FEET
PRESERVED
WETLANDS
WATER TABLE
WITH DITCH
MINE CUT
PERIMETER DITCH
DITCH SPOIL
V_ WATER TABLE
BEFORE MINING
OVERBURDEN
MATRIX
NOT TO SCALE
NOTE Water level in ditch maintained at or above
average water table elevation.
Source: Gurr & Associates, Inc.
Figure 2.1-3
PERIMETER DITCH AROUND
PRESERVED WETLANDS
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
CF INDUSTRIES
Hardee Phosphate Complex II
2-8
-------
B
B'
TEMPORARY FILL AREA
DRAGLINE CROSSING
24' HYDRAULIC
WATER PIPELINE
20' DOUBLE-WALLED
MATRIX PIPELINE
GRASSED BERM
u 120
OJ
"• 118
\ 116
O 114
< 112
IS 110
ui
20* DOUBLE-WALLED MATRIX PIPELINE
24* HYDRAULIC WATER PIPELINE
DRAGLINE CROSSING
TEMPORARY FILL
DRAINAGE PIPE
STREAM BED
TEMPORARY FILL
FOR
DRAGLINE CROSSING
ILJ
SECTION A-A'
NATURAL GROUND!
HORIZ. SCALE I'OOO1
120
118
116
114
112
110
Zellars-Willlams, Inc.
SECTION B-B'
Figure 2.1-4A
CONCEPTUAL DRAGLINE CROSSING
AT HORSE CREEK SECTION 32,
T33S, R23E
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
CF INDUSTRIES
Hardee Phosphate Complex II
2-9
-------
CfSio
B
i
L
DRAGLINE CROSSING
-------
reclamation. It will contain a double-cased matrix pipeline and
hydraulic water pipeline (Figures 2.1-4A and 2.1-4B) necessary for
mining and ore transportation. The double-cased matrix pipeline will
extend beyond the corridor limits in the east-west direction to protect
the area against any accidental leakage, thus protecting the "preserved
area" of Horse Creek. In addition to the double-cased matrix pipeline,
a berm will be constructed on both edges of the corridor and grasses
will be established on all graded or constructed areas to prevent
erosion and turbid runoff into the creek. The corridor will be main-
tained and monitored by CF until the final dragline crossing in mine
year 21 and the removal of the pipelines and reclamation activities are
completed on the west side of Horse Creek.
After the dragline has returned over the stream and the crossing loca-
tion is no longer needed, the fill will be removed and the area will be
graded to approximately original elevations. A layer of organic soil
borrowed from a wetland to be mined will be spread over the area after
final grading to encourage natural revegetation.
A short-lived herbaceous species such as rye or millet will be planted
over the reclaimed area to stabilize the soils and minimize erosion.
Where wooded wetland systems have been disturbed, native and locally
grown trees will be planted at a density of a least 400 seedlings per
acre. Trees to be planted will include species such as red maple,
sweetgum, sweet bay, laurel oak, and water oak. Where herbaceous wet-
land systems have been disturbed, the organic soil layer is expected to
provide revegetation similar to the disturbed marshes. The likelihood
of successful revegetation in the reclaimed area is high because of the
existing floodplain forest immediately adjacent upstream of the proposed
stream crossing. This existing floodplain forest will provide a good
seed source for a wide variety of wetland plant species.
2.1.5 PHOSPHATE MINING
Within the central Florida phosphate industry, the conventional
procedure for mining phosphate ore consists of stripping away the
2-11
-------
overburden and removing the phosphate matrix with draglines. The
CF Hardee Phosphate Complex II project would initially employ a single
dragline with bucket capacity of 55 cubic yards. In mining year 8, a
second dragline of similar capacity would be added to provide additional
excavation capabilities to support an expanded beneficiation facility.
Typical dragline operations include the development of a series of
mining cuts with the overburden from the initial cut being placed on
adjacent mine land. As successive cuts are made, each varying from
250 to 300 feet wide and 50 to 70 feet deep, overburden material is
placed in adjacent cuts previously mined. Leach zone material would be
placed near the base of the mining cut, then covered with overburden to
minimize any naturally occurring radiation from uranium concentrations.
The ore is placed in a matrix well, where it is slurrified for transport
to the beneficiation plant. As the mining operation proceeds, the
matrix well and ore transport equipment are advanced along the direction
of mining with the dragline. Electrical power for the operation of the
dragline and the matrix slurry equipment is provided by portable cables
extended from a pole line approximately 2,000 to 3,000 feet to this
equipment.
The proposed mining operations would result in an average annual excava-
tion of approximately 12.3 million cubic yards of overburden and 16.2
million cubic yards of phosphate matrix when two draglines are in
operation. The average density (dry basis) of these materials is
approximately 1.25 short tons/cubic yard. In a drained condition, they
would contain about 75 to 85 percent solids.
During the planned mine life of 27 years, the proposed mine operation
would disturb approximately 14,925 acres or 99 percent of the site.
Table 2.1.5-1 shows the acreage of each vegetation type to be disturbed
by the mining operation.
2-12
-------
Table 2.1.5-1. Existing and Post-Reclamation Land Use
Proposed Post-
Land
Code*
211
212
213
231
321
411
422
520
621
641
Use
Type
Row Crops
Field Crops
Improved
Pasture
Orange Grove
Palmetto
Prairie
Pine
Flatwoods
Other
Hardwoods
Lakes
Freshwater
Swamp
Freshwater
Marsh
TOTAL
Existing
Acres %
13.1 0.09
44.1 0,29
1310.3 8.74
2.6 0.02
6957.2 46.40
732.7 4.89
2354.8 15.70
—
1239.9 8.27
2339.3 15.60
14994 100.00
Disturbance Reclamation
Acres % Acres
13.1 0.09
44.1 0.30
1310.3 8.78 6659
2.6 0.02
6957.2 46.61
732.7 4.91 1500.
2354.8 15.78 1900
1055
1194.8 8.00 1410
2315.4 15.51 2470
14925 100.00 14,994
%
—
—
44.41
—
—
10.00
12.67
7.04
9.40
16.47
99.99
* Based on Florida Land Use and Cover Classificaton System (Florida
Department of Administration, 1976).
Source: CF Industries, 1984.
2-13
-------
The planned sequence of raining is illustrated in Figure 2.1-5. Existing
land use patterns would continue on reserve land until those lands are
scheduled for raining. Approximately 69 acres would remain undisturbed.
CF's raining sequence has been developed through the use of a computer
model which simulates the mining and processing of the entire mineable
deposit on an annual basis. The base data for this program came from
the prospect drilling results and the preliminary design of the raining
and processing equipment. The dragline would follow a sequence which
balances production and grade requirements and facilitates water
recirculation, waste disposal and reclamation activities. If production
and sales requirements change, the length of the mine operation may also
be changed.
2.1.6 DRAINAGE BASIN MINING SEQUENCE
Mining and reclamation events in each system are described in the
following discussion. Mining years and reclamation features are given.
The sequencing of mining activities is shown in Figure 2.1-5.
2.1.6.1 DOE BRANCH
The plant site and initial settling area (ISA) lie partly in the Doe
Branch watershed. Construction of the plant site and ISA will impact
approximately 5 percent of the Doe Branch watershed for the life of the
mine. Most of this area will be reclaimed to the Doe Branch watershed
at the completion of mining.
Mining in the watershed occurs from year 1 through year 24. At no time
during the mining will there be less than 45 percent of the watershed
area in an undisturbed or reclaimed state.
The first year of mining will begin just west of the main stream of Doe
Branch and proceed west. In year 2 the dragline will cross Doe Branch
and begin mining in Section 21. Reclamation of a stream course will be
undertaken in the area mined just west of the main stream. The
2-14
-------
^^^
'•
I
1
"l^ * *
«
3
* n
T 1JS
1
~
•
®a
—
i
-
1 18-20
• 1
21-24
ICAU
1
JJ
11
II
J
1
!
• *
|i 16-
too
i
12 B_l 9.
i
I
i
i
i
-- '
1
1
17 B ;; u
"U
10 B
i •
n i
\ ~
\
"
A
T iz
a
1
B rl
'•-'V U
\ l\
i-.:"
l!
B
f
B JM-M
a
T 5"
V 24 A
eft ,/*
•-li
-InU.
vL,
1
B 6,V
\
t
J >-* A
1 1
7-11 A
5-6 A
L™"J t-i_-un-ii
1*
12-14 A
••i
15-17
18-19
*
•
t"1
; 20-22 A
1 t
23 A
a
-1
H
••
-
.
LEGEND
A - Dragline I
B - Dragline I
1
1-4 - Mining Years
(^O - Preserved
SOURCE:
Areas
CF Industries
Figure 2.1-5
DRAfil INF MINING ^FrmPNTP
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
CF INDUSTRIES
Hardee Phosphate Complex II
j
-
i
-------
reclamation will be complete in time to receive the flow from the main
stream before it is scheduled for mining in the latter part of year 3.
The upstream area of Doe Branch in Section 33 will serve as a seed
source for the reclaimed stream course until the upstream area is mined
in year 9. The area immediately downstream of the reclaimed stream
course will serve as a buffer to minimize impacts of mining and reclama-
tion activities. This downstream segment is not scheduled for raining
until year 24.
From year 3 mining will progress to the east until Section 27 is mined
in year 6. At this time, the drdgline will move to the western half of
Section 32 and begin mining to the east. The dragline will leave the
Doe Branch watershed in year 14, and again in year 18 before returning
to Section 21 in year 24 to complete mining in the Doe Branch watershed
and the east half of Complex II.
The majority of the watershed will be reclaimed using sand/clay mix
technology (see Section 2.4). The first sand/clay mix area will be
reclaimed in year 10 and every one to two years after that another sand/
clay area will be reclaimed in the watershed. The sand/clay areas will
include wetland reclamation at the downstream end of each area. At the
completion of reclamation, the wetland acres that existed before mining
will exist after reclamation.
When mining in the watershed is complete in year 24, approximately 75
percent of the Doe Branch watershed will have been reclaimed. By year
29, all but 5 percent of the watershed (area occupied by the ISA and
plant site) will have been reclaimed. Total acreage in the Doe Branch
watershed following reclamation will be approximately 4,708 acres.
2.1.6.2 PLUNDER BRANCH
The major portion of the Plunder Branch watershed will be mined from
year 14 through year 23. A small part of the watershed will be mined in
years 5 and 6.
2-16
-------
The first mining in the stream course occurs in year 14. The west fork
of Plunder Branch will be mined by year 17. Reclamation of approxi-
mately 220 acres of the watershed in Sections 23 and 26 will be
reclaimed using sand tailings and overburden. This reclamation will be
completed by year 19 and will include wetland acreage which will serve
as a buffer to downstream areas as runoff from the reclaimed sand/clay
mix areas discharges to the system.
The majority of the Plunder Branch watershed acreage upstream of the
aforementioned 220 acres will be reclaimed using the sand/clay mix
technique. The majority of the wetland acreage associated with the
watershed will be reclaimed as a part of the sand/clay reclamation.
In year 23, when the watershed is mined out, all but 14 percent of the
watershed on-site will be out of service. However, due to the sand/clay
reclamation, by year 26 this percentage will increase to 45 percent. By
year 29, there will be 72 percent of the watershed contributing to the
Plunder Branch system.
When reclamation is complete, there will be approximately 5 percent less
acreage than existed in the pre-mining watershed, or a total of 2,266
acres.
2.1.6.3 COON'S BAY BRANCH
The 259 acres of the Coon's Bay Branch watershed on-site will be mined
in years 19 and 20. This watershed will be reclaimed using sand tail-
ings and overburden. There will be a total of 188 acres reclaimed in
the watershed. Reclamation will be complete by year 23.
2.1.6.4 TROUBLESOME CREEK
Although there is no stream, course on-site in the Troublesome Creek
watershed, there is approximately 550 acres of watershed area. The
initial settling area will occupy the majority of the 234 acres of this
watershed which lies west of the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad. The
2-17
-------
316 acres east of the railroad will be mined from year 7 through year
12, and again in year 23.
Reclamation will be completed in year 20 in Section 33 when a sand/clay
mix area is reclaimed; in year 26, when a land-and-lakes area in Section
36 is reclaimed; and in years 28 and 29, when the southern portions of
the ISA are reclaimed. The Troublesome Creek watershed on-site will
total approximately SAO acres upon completion of reclamation.
The impacts downstream of the mining and reclamation activities can be
effectively controlled since there is no recognized stream channel on-
site. The wetlands associated with the watershed will be reclaimed to
at least the pre-mining acreage.
2.1.6.5 SHIRTTAIL BRANCH
Part of the Shirttail Branch watershed will be occupied by the plant
site, the ISA, and the sand tailings storage pile, all in Section 30,
Range Ik East. Mining will begin in the watershed in year 8 and
continue into year 15. The last mining in the watershed will occur in
year 27.
Reclamation in year II will return approximately 235 acres of the
watershed to service, and an additional 230 acres will be reclaimed by
year 15. Sand tailings and overburden reclamation will be.used to
reclaim the 465 acres. The watershed area reclaimed in years 18 and 19
will be sand/clay mix areas.
The section of the watershed scheduled for mining in year 27 contains
wetlands and a stream channel which will serve as a seed source for
earlier downstream reclamation and a buffer to activities upstream.
When this area is mined, sufficient time will have elapsed to have a
reclaimed functioning stream and wetland system to provide a seed source
and buffer area for the associated mining and reclamation activities.
2-18
-------
2.1.6.6 BRUSHY CREEK
The Brushy Creek watershed will first be impacted by mining activities
in year 9. The mining in this watershed is sequenced so that mining
occurs over a 15-year span. The mining and reclamation schedule is such
that at least 32 percent of the watershed will be in service at any one
time.
The mining of the easternmost headwaters of Brushy Creek will take place
from year 11 through year 18. During this time, downstream impacts to
Brushy Creek will be buffered by the downstream segment in Section 34.
Reclamation of the sand/clay disposal areas planned for this headwater
region will begin in year 20 and continue through year 31. The reclama-
tion design includes a complex of swampland, marsh, wetlands, and upland
mixed forests to be reclaimed as part of the sand/clay system and will
comprise the reclaimed watershed for the eastern portion of Brushy
Creek.
The upper headwater area of Brushy Creek is scheduled for mining in year
18 through year 20. Approximately 268 acres of this headwater area will
be reclaimed within two years of the completion of mining activities in
this part of the watershed. The downstream portion of Brushy Creek in
Section 34 is scheduled for mining in years 23 and 24. Reclamation of
this stream segment will be complete in years 26 and 27 when sand
tailings fill overburden cap is used to return the area to near original
contours.
Upon completion of the stream course reclamation in year 27, approxi-
mately 67 percent of the mined watershed will have been reclaimed. In
year 34, the total watershed will be reclaimed to a total of 3,636
acres.
2.1.6.7 HORSE CREEK
The main stream of Horse Creek and the adjacent wetlands are not
scheduled for mining. The watershed of Horse Creek on-site is
scheduled for mining in year 18 and years 20 through 22. Reclamation
2-19
-------
will commence immediately following the completion of mining operations
with the majority of the watershed being reclaimed to land-and-lakes.
The reclamation proposed will return the watershed to service in a short
period of time. The post-reclamation watershed acreage will be 728
acres.
2.1.6.8 LETTIS CREEK
Mining will begin in the Lettis Creek watershed, which has no distinct
stream channel on-site, in year 12 and continue through year 15. Mining
will again occur in the watershed when the southern portion of the ISA
is mined in years 24 through 26,
All areas except the area under the ISA, which will be land-and-lakes,
will be reclaimed sand/clay mix areas. The first reclamation will occur
in year 22 and, by year 29, the watershed reclamation will be complete.
The watershed acreage following reclamation will be almost the same as
the pre-mining acreage. The reclamation plan will replace wetlands in
the watershed with ones similar to those existing prior to mining to
minimize downstream impacts.
2.1.6.9 SUMMARY
The ratio of disturbed land to undisturbed and reclaimed land within a
given watershed is expected to be kept at a minimum. Figures 2.1-6 arid
2.1-7 show the overall impact for the five largest watersheds and for
the total site. For the majority of time, the mining plan and the
reclamation schedule result in no more than 50 percent of any one
watershed being in a disturbed state. For the total site, that
percentage would be 40 percent.
The relatively short-terra disturbances to the watershed acreages on the
Complex II site are not anticipated to' result in negative downstream
2-20'
-------
CFIHKH fiTI'
r1
4000 -
1000 -
w
Oi
2000 -
1000 -
4679 Ac.
Undisturbed &
Reclaimed Acres
(Typical)
-— «
!' \
I Disturbed >y
/ Acres V
I (Typical) \
5 10 15 2/> ?.£ 3
3429 Ac.
2374 Ac.
/"^
f\ 1562 Ac. / \
/ \ " / \ 1203 Ac<
/ \ / \ "
_/ \ -f\_ / \ / \
) 5 10 15 20 25 3035 5 10 1*5 20 2*5 30 10 1*5 2'fl 2*5 3*0 35 10 l'5 2*0 2'5 30
DOE BRANCH PLUNDER SHIRTTAIL BRUSHY LETTIS
BRANCH BRANCH CREEK CREEK
MINING YEAR & WATERSHED
SOURCE: CF Industries
Figure 2.1-6
WATERSHED DISTURBED ACR
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV
CAGE V UNDISTURBED AMD Dfaft Environmental lmpact Statement
RECLAIMED ACREAGE (FOR THOSE WATERSHEDS>1000 ACRES) CF INDUSTRIES
Hardee Phosphate Complex II
j . . . -,,......... f*...*. - . ^
-------
12,000
tn
U
at
8,000
4,000
SOURCE: CF Industries
14,994 Tract Acres
UNDISTURBED OR RECLAIMED
10
15 20
MINING YEAR
—r-
25
30
_ 40
30
20
10
35
O
W
co
a
*<
Figure 2.1-7
TOTAL TRACT DISTURBED ACREAGE VS. UNDISTURBED
AND RECLAIMED ACREAGE
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
CF INDUSTRIES
Hardee Phosphate Complex II
-------
impacts. With reclamation, the return of the pre-mining function of r.he
watershed is expected.
There are several other positive aspects of CF's mining and reclamation
plan relative to the watersheds. First, land clearing ahead of mining
will be minimized to reduce the potential of the runoff from creating
water quality or water quantity problems downstream. Second,
reclamation will incorporate a diversity of land forms in a pattern
designed to provide wetland systems for water quality benefits to runoff
and stream flow. Another positive aspect is the rate of reclamation.
Although initially large land areas will be tied up in sand/clay mix
areas, reclamation of the site is expected to be complete eight years
after the last mining occurs.
2.2 SLURRY MATRIX TRANSPORT
2.2.1 GENERAL DESCRIPTION
CF's current plans for transporting matrix involve the matrix slurry
transport system, presently used at most existing Florida phosphate
mines. Slurry pumping is a proven technology, extremely flexible,
relatively inexpensive compared to other methods, and environmentally
acceptable.
In the system illustrated in Figure 2.2-1, matrix placed into the matrix
well is mixed with water sprayed under "high pressure." Approximately
11,000 gallons/minute of water is required to break down the clay and
sand matrix into a slurry which can then be pumped. The source of this
water will be clarified and recycled water from the water recirculation
ditch which receives water from the initial settling area (ISA), pit
dewatering, and area drainage. 'Approximately 6,000 horsepower pumping
" •' i
capability is then needed to transfer the matrix solids and transport
water from the matrix well to the top of the beneficiation plant,
assuming an average pumping distance of 10,000 feet. The density of the
slurry must also be properly maintained. Pumping at less than optimum
density.(e.g. , 35 to 40 percent solids) would not transfer the required
2-23
-------
CH HPCH «?7I
r
MATRIX
2036 STPH (SOLIDS)
1445 GPM (WATER)
(HIGH PRESSURE)
K>
N>
*»
Source: Zellars-Wllllams, Inc.
11237 QPM WATER FROM CLARIFICATION
AT 200 psl & RECIRCULATION SYSTEM
PIPELINE (APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES)
• MATRIX SLURRY AT 39.7% SOLIDS (WT.»)
1S.700 QPM
XXX
WASHER PLANT
NOTE: APPROXIMATELY 300 QPM OF SEAL WATER WILL ALSO BE
ADDED TO THE PUMPS AND WILL GENERALLY BE ADDITIVE
TO THE ABOVE FLOW. THIS WATER WILL COME FROM THE
HIGH PRESSURE WATER LINE AND FROM ADJACENT
RECIRCULATION WATER CANALS.
Figure 2.2-1
SCHEMATIC FLOW DIAGRAM FOR
SLURRIED MATRIX TRANSPORT
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
CF INDUSTRIES
Hardee Phosphate Complex II
-------
tonnage, and pumping at excessive density can overload the pump motors
and/or plug the system. The turbulent washing and scrubbing action of
the high pressure water pumps and pipeline all contribute to the
processing sequence which follows, for the matrix must be broken apart
and diluted with water to remove the waste clay and silica sand.
2.2.2 PIPELINE CROSSING OF WETLANDS
Proper planning has minimized the need for numerous crossings of
wetland areas with pipelines as mining proceeds throughout the tract.
The matrix slurry transport system presents the potential for pipeline
leaks which could cause increased turbidities in wetland water course
areas should the matrix slurry escape from the containment line.
However, the possibility of this occurrence is minimized by the use of
preventive maintenance practices such as pipeline inspection and
rotation along with the implementation of certain safeguard systems.
These systems would include double walled pipes and a low pressure
shutoff system with cutoff valves installed at both sides of the
pipeline stream crossing to assist in controlling a pipeline leak at
these points.
At the Horse Creek crossing (see Figure 2.1-4A), the matrix pipeline
will also be underlain by temporary fill across the stream channel which
will have grassed berras on both edges of the corridor to prevent erosion
and turbid runoff into the creek should a leak or heavy rains occur.
2.3 MATRIX PROCESSING
2.3.1 PLANT LOCATION
The CF Industries' beneficiation plant and support facilities will
occupy approximately 60 acres. This site (Section 30, Township 33
South, Range 24 East) is located one-half mile south of the town of
Ft. Green Springs, in Hardee County,'Florida. In selecting this
particular location for this phosphate berieficiation plant, several
2-25
-------
sites were investigated with the following objectives carefully
considered:
• Minimize disturbing environmentally sensitive areas;
• Minimize the consumption of energy used in the movement of water
ore, and waste products;
• Minimize the cost of transportation facilities (roads and
railroad), and utility construction;
• Minimize fill and ensure the site is all upland; and
• Minimize phosphate reserve loss.
Of the various sites considered, Sites 1 and 2 (Figure 2.3-1) were the
most promising in meeting most of the objectives mentioned above.
Site 1 (Figure 2.3-2) was finally chosen over Site 2 in that it was
closer to the centroid of ore and waste disposal; one mile closer to
rail and power facilities; and had favorable topography (Site 2 is
located in the drainage basin of Shirttail Branch).
2.3.2 PLANT DESCRIPTION SUMMARY
CF proposes to use mining and processing procedures common to the
Florida Phosphate Industry. Therefore, Figure 2.3-3, which depicts the
general layout of the plant, is characteristic of Florida phosphate
beneficiation plants. The matrix will be slurried and pumped from the
mine to the beneficiation plant. There the matrix will undergo the
conventional beneficiation process, consisting of separating the clays
and fines from the pebble-sized product in the washer and feed
preparation areas before being transferred to the flotation plant for
processing to recover the final phosphate concentrate.
CF's facilities are planned to have a nominal capacity of 2,000,000
short tons per year of phosphate rock product. Wet phosphate rock will
be stored according to product classification in a storage area with a
1,000,000 short ton capacity. Product load-out facilities and a rail-
road marshalling yard will be located nearby. On-site water will be
provided by facilities located in the plant hydraulic station.
2-26
-------
CFI HKII 4171
ts>
-j
Si
TIM I
"D
..
LEGEND
(T) Proposed Plant Location Site
(2) Alternate Site Considered
(M] Mining Centroid Site
(y/I Waste Disposal Centroid Site
SOURCE: CF Industries
ITATt 100 mo
22
Figure 2.3-1
LOCATION OF PLANT SITE ALTERNATIVES
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
CF INDUSTRIES
Hardee Phosphate Complex II
-------
CFI HKH 4271
:
SOURCE: CF Industries
PLANT SITE LOCATION
Figure 2.3-2
LOCATION OF PLANT SITE 1
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
CF INDUSTRIES
Hardee Phosphate Complex
-------
Figure 2.3-3
GENERAL PLANT LAYOUT
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
CF INDUSTRIES
Hardee Phosphate Complex II
-------
Miscellaneous operation support facilities, including the office,
laboratory, and parking area, will be located within the plant site
area.
Electric power lines (tied into the existing Vandolah-Ft. Green Springs,
Florida Power Corporation 69 kV transmission lines) will enter the plant
from the east. A one-mile long railroad spur, linking the plant with
the main line of Seaboard Coast Line Railroad (SCL), will enter the
plant from the east. Vehicular traffic will use the main entrance road
off Ft. Green Springs-Ona Road west of the SCL mainline. A mine road
will cross the Ft. Green Springs-Ona Road between Sections 29 and 30.
In mining year 8 (as currently scheduled), a second dragline will be
added and the beneficiation plant will be expanded at the proposed plant
location. This expansion will be identical in process to the proposed
plant. Conventional beneficiation and flotation have the purpose of
separating phosphate rock from the associated diluents (carbonate
minerals, quartz sand, and a mixture of clay minerals). Conventional
beneficiation requires less energy than other methods and is less likely
to be a source of air pollutants while still recovering 75 to 85 percent
of the phosphate. This is the only matrix processing method used in the
Florida phosphate industry today. Figure 2.3-4 shows the generalized
flow process.
2.3.3 WASHER SECTION
When the matrix is received at the washer, it consists of carbonate
minerals, phosphate pebble, sand-size grains of phosphate, clay parti-
cles of various sizes, and quartz sand. The washer process involves a
number of steps: separating the oversized material from the matrix;
disaggregating the clays and phosphatic ore; washing and separating the
pebble from the undersized material (waste clays and feed); and separat-
ing the sand-size material so that it can be treated by flotation to
recover the fine phosphate particles. A simplified process flowsheet
for a typical washer section is shown in Figure 2.3-5.
2-30
-------
CFI HPCU 4271
CLAY WASTE
N>
MINE AREA
1
WASHER
SECTION
DEBRIS DISPOSAL^.
1IHSIZEIL
FEED
SIZING
SECTION
_S_IZED_
FEED
I.P.PRODUCT
RECYCLED WATER
PEBBLE
'PRODUCT
SOURCE: CF Industries
CLAY
SETTLING
AREA
I
SAND-CLAY
MIX
J
SAND
TAILINGS
DISPOSAL
ALTERNATE
r DISPOSAL
FLOTATION
PROCESS
FLOW
CONCENTRATE
PRODUCT
Figure 2.3-4
GENERALIZED PROCESS FLOWSHEET
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
CF INDUSTRIES
Hardee Phosphate Complex II
-------
Cfl HPCH «7f
MATRIX SLURRY
FROM MINE SITE
MATRIX FEED
I DISTRIBUTOR
10
I
OJ
NJ
DEBRIS
DISPOSAL AREA
SOURCE: CF Industries
FLAT FLUME SCREEN
TROMMEL SCREEN
PRIMARY
VIBRATING
SCREEN
DEBRIS REJECT
SUMP & PUMP
TO PRIMARY CYCLONE
WASHER
UNDERFLO
PUMP
BOX
SECONDARY
VIBRATING
SCREEN
PRIMARY LOG
WASHER
FINISHING
VIBRATING
SCREEN
ECONDARY
LOG WASHER
PRIMARY
CYCLONE
FEED PUMP
BOX AND PUMP.
CLEAN-UP
SUMP PUMP
" PEBBLE
TO STORAGE
- V
-------
Matrix pumped in from the mine discharges into the matrix receiving box,
located atop the washer structure. This receiving box has nine
hydraulically operated gates which allow distribution of the matrix to
the three trains of the washer section.
2.3.4 SIZING SECTION
The sizing of coarse intermediate product (IP) begins when the material
is pumped from the washer area to the primary cyclone. The -14 mesh
material produced by the washer is pumped to the primary desliming
cyclones. These cyclones remove the bulk of the -150 mesh material
present in the feed stream as an overflow stream, which flows by gravity
to the settling pond. The cyclone underflow flows by gravity to the
unsized feed storage bin. The unsized feed material is then pumped to a
secondary cyclone for removal of additional amounts of -150 mesh
material (see Figure 2.3-6 for a schematic of the sizing section).
From this point the material reports to a sizing box and on to
subsequent primary and secondary screens, if needed. Further processing
divides the material for transport to the intermediate product shift bin
or for additional subsequent processing in the flotation feed cyclone.
2.3.5 FLOTATION AREA
Sized feed, or float feed, is pumped from the sizing section to the
flotation plant (Figure 2.3-7). There the feed is subjected to a
standard Florida phosphate double flotation process consisting of three
major processing steps designed to produce concentrate and sand
tailings:
• A rougher (fatty acid) flotation circuit to achieve high recovery
of phosphate, with bulk rejection of sand tailings;
• Collection and cleaning of initial concentrates prior to cleaner
flotation; and
2-33
-------
CtlHPCIUlT)
PRIMARY CYCLONE
FROM PRIMARY CYCLONE PUMP
SECONDARY CYCLONE
DISTRIBUTOR
I.P. SECONDARY SCREEN
UNSIZED FEED
STORAGE BM
LP. SCREEN PUMP BOX
AND PUMP
SIZED FEED
STORAGE BIN
TO FLOTATION FEED CYCLONE
CLEANUP SUMP
AND PUMP
TO IR SHIFT BIN
I.P. PUMP BOX AND PUUP
SOURCE: CF Industrial
Figure 2.3-6
SCHEMATIC OF SIZING SECTION
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
CF INDUSTRIES
Hardee Phosphate Complex II
-------
CFI MPCH 4111
ROUGHER CONCENTRATE CYCLONE
FROM SUING SECTION
to
u>
FLOAT FEED
] MASS/FLOW
'INSTRUMENT
PACKAGE
SI2ED FEED
STORAGE BIN
FLOTATION FEED
CYCLONE
ACID WASH
STATIC SCRUBBER
CYCLONE UNDERFLOW LAUNDER
ACID RINSE
ASH BOX
ITIONER
TANKS
CLEANER
FLOTATION
MACHINE
GENERAL MILL
TAILINGS TANK
FROM CONCENTRATE
CLEAN-UP PUMP
TO CONCENTRATE
STORAGE CYCLONES
ROUGHER
FLOTATION
MACHINE
ROUGHER
CONCENTRATE
PUMP BOX
'ROUGHER
'CONCENTRATE
CYCLONE FEED PUMP
GMT PUMP
FINAL CONCENTRATE
PUMP BOX AND PUMP
SANIJ/CLAY MIX AREA OR
TAILINGS DISPOSAL AREA
SOURCE: CF Industries
Figure 2.3-7
SCHEMATIC OF FLOTATION
PLANT AREA
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
CF INDUSTRIES
Hardee Phosphate Complex II
-------
• Cleaner (amine) flotation - a second stage of flotation to
further concentrate the product.
The flotation area is divided into two identical, independent sections
called trains, each of which is composed of a bank of float feed
cyclones, rougher flotation machines, acid scrubbers, acid wash boxes,
and cleaner flotation machines. A common final concentrate pump and a
common sand tailings pump are set on-grade for disposition of each
material.
The final concentrate pump delivers the final concentrate to a pair of
cyclones over one of three concentrate dewatering shift bins and then to
the wet rock storage pile. The GMT pump and a booster pump deliver the
rougher and cleaner tailings to the disposal area or to the sand/clay
mix area.
2.3.6 WET ROCK STORAGE
After beneficiation, Che wet rock pebble, IP, and concentrate are loaded
from the shift bins via conveyor to the storage pile. The product is
dumped, by means of a conveyor, into piles according to size, BPL (bone
phosphate lime) grade, Fe, Al and MgO (iron, aluminum and magnesium
oxide) content, and other factors. This short-terra storage area (Figure
2.3-8) will contain rock with a moisture content between 12 and
16 percent. Drainage from the area will be collected and returned to
the beneficiation plant circuit. Since these products are sorted,
conveyed and shipped wet, they should pose no particulate air pollution
problems.
The wet rock is then transferred by conveyor belts to the rail car
loading facility. Wet rock is loaded into rail cars for shipment to the
CF chemical plants located in Bartow or Plant City.
2-36
-------
CFI HPCtt 4271
K)
U)
•vl
FINAL CONCENTRATE
FROM FLOTATION
FROM I.P. SIZING
PEBBLE
FROM
WASHER
PEBBLE
SHIFT BIN
CYCLONE
STORAGE CONVEYOR
AND TRIPPER
FMAL
CONCENTRATE
CYCLONES
I.P. SHIFT BIN
CYCLONE
PEBBLE
CONVEYOR
PEBBLE
TRANSFER
CONV.
TUNNEL
CONVEYOR
SHIPPING CYCLONE
TRANSFER
TOWER
SHIFT BIN
CONVEYOR
SHIPPING CONVEYOR
PRODUCT
SHIPPING
BINS
IP. SHIFT BIN
SUMP AND PUMP
TO RAIL CARS
PEBBLE
(HIGH IMPURITIES
FROM WASHER
SHIPPING
CLEAN-UP
IUMP AND PUMP
PEBBLE SHIFT BIN
SUMP AND PUMP
SOURCE: CF Industries
Figure 2.3-8
SCHEMATIC OF WET ROCK
STORAGE AREA
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
CF INDUSTRIES
Hardee Phosphate Complex II
-------
2.3.7 PHOSPHATE PRODUCT DISPOSITION
The phosphate rock resulting from this expansion will be utilized by
CF's Plant City and Bartow phosphate complexes to replace an existing
rock supply contract. The phosphate rock resulting from the second
expansion would also be utilized by CF's two phosphate complexes to
replace rock from contracts with other raining companies and rock supply
provided by Hardee Complex I.
2.3.8 PLANT CONSTRUCTION
CF anticipates construction for their proposed mining and beneficiation
plant to be completed within 19 months, allowing 2 months for land
clearing, 3 months for grading and excavation, and 14 months for plant
construction. CF plans to employ approximately 200 workers for this
construction, drawing on the local labor pool to the greatest extent
possible. During peak periods, the number of workers may increase to
400.
A projected 750 to 1,000 KVA will be required during the construction
period to meet all electrical power needs for lighting, pumps, welding,
etc. These needs will be met by 1,000 KVA service at the mine site. In
addition, 150 gal/day gasoline and 250 gal/day diesel oil will be
consumed by heavy equipment and will be provided by the responsible
construction contractor. Energy demand can be expected to fluctuate
greatly during the construction period.
Lubricants and fuels to service vehicles will be stored in small,
stationary or portable containers above ground and in a location in
keeping with vehicle fuel and lubricant requirements. These containers
will be maintained by the vehicle owners.
During the construction phase, perimeter ditches will be installed to
collect runoff from the plant site area. Dam construction areas will
also be enclosed by perimeter ditches to intercept runoff. In the plant
site area, all areas not permanently surfaced will be landscaped and
revegetated. Access road shoulders, powerline right-of-ways, and
pipeline corridors will be graded and revegetated.
2-38
-------
During the construction, compliance with Article IV—Mining Ordinance,
Hardee County Land Development Code will minimize adverse impacts to air
quality. Dust or smoke emissions from heavy machinery, vehicular
travel, and open burning will be effectively controlled. Roads within
the plant area will be paved to minimize particulate pollution.
The capital cost for the CF mine and beneficiation plant is estimated at
$129,000,000 (1981 dollars).
2.3.9 ENERGY REQUIREMENTS AND OPERATING PERSONNEL
The beneficiation plant's electrical energy needs are projected to be
18MW. The mine and slurry transport system will require approximately
13MW. The highest anticipated requirements are predicted at 38MW. CF
is served by FPC on Rate Schedule 1ST 1-Interruptable General Service,
Time of Use. This schedule provides that FPC may elect to curtail power
service to CF's operation during critical load periods.
CF has continued to investigate and implement energy conservation
concepts and through the engineering phase of the plant design will
continue this practice. Metering devices will be installed to
continually monitor individual load centers in order to evaluate energy
demand to accomplish effective conservation practices. Power factor
control will be implemented as required in order to maintain a desirable
power factor.
It is estimated that 400 gal/day of gasoline and 100 gal/day of diesel
fuel will also be employed during plant operation.
Operating personnel required for the mine and beneficiation plant at
startup will be 139. That total will increase to 301 with the proposed
expansion in mine year 8, which happens to coincide with the depletion
of Complex I reserves. This increase will be largely filled by
personnel from the Complex 1 mine.
2-39
-------
2.3.10 REAGENT. FUEL. AND LUBRICANT STORAGE
The reagent area of the beneficiation plant is diagrammed in
Figure 2.3-9. As shown, the area contains bulk reagent storage tanks,
mix/use storage tanks in which the concentrated reagents are mixed with
other reagents or diluted to useable concentrations, reagent truck
unloading pumps, reagent transfer pumps which move reagents from the
bulk storage tanks to the mix/use tanks, reagent feed pumps which pump
the reagents into the point of use in the flotation processes, the
instrument air compressor/dryer package, and an oil separator/skimmer
package.
CF's above-ground reagent and underground fuel tankage requirements are
specified in Table 2.3.10-1. All reagents are delivered by tank trucks.
The reagents, with the exception of ammonia, are stored in vertical,
cylindrical, closed top, carbon steel tanks. These tanks are vented to
the atmosphere; the No. 5 fuel oil and the kerosene tank vents are
equipped with flame arrestors to preclude open flame or electric arcs
from igniting the fumes in the vapor spaces of these tanks.
Ammonia is stored in a horizontal, cyclindrical, carbon steel pressure
vessel, designed for a working pressure of 250 psig, and having appro-
priate pressure relief valving.
The No. 5 fuel oil tank and the kerosene tanks are set within indivi-
dual, concrete-walled areas for fire protection purposes and for
emergency spill containment. These two areas have valved sumps for
manual, controlled release of water accumulation to the reagent area
drainage system.
The bulk reagent tanks are fitted with level gages visible from the
truck unloading pumps, while the mix/use tanks are fitted with high
level switches that shut off pumps or valves supplying reagent to their
respective tanks.
2-40
-------
EOUIPHENT LIST
1171.1172
6175 FUEL OIL TRANSFER punp iiss
6177,6170 FATTY OCID/FUEL OIL HIX/USE PUtlP 1167.1H6B
6161.E1B8 FAJTT OCIO/FUEL OIL FEED PUMP ZH31
617S AT1INE ACETATE TRANSFER PUflP Z17S
6165.6166 Ji anlNE ACETRie TEEO PUnP 217S
6163.6170 SULFUR1C ACID FtED PUHP ina
"73 f»m ACID rswsrtu punp e<«77
6»7Z FAIIr ACID UNLOAD PUT1P e^ai ilK
6"'i FUEL OIL/KEROSENE UNLOAD runp naa
B'7' I.P. THIPLEJC IEAGENI PUMP ZM73 HBO
*»0 BULK [.P. AHINt IKOHSrtH PUMP nBH
*'•> BEP«ESSANT TFANSrEK IHmP 2HBS ZHBG
6163,6161 FUIL OIL FEED PLnP as98
£167,6168 KEROSENE FKO PUnP figg enso
I14" ATIINE ACETATE SI01AOE TANK AGITATOR «183- 61BH
•IICJ.M-ICI AntNE ACETATE nlx/uSE TANK AOITATOK «77
I1*7" BULK I.P. An I ME JIORAOE TANK MIIATOX Sl«0
I.P. AfllNE nll/USE TANK AGITATOR
BULK DEPRESSANT TANK AGITATOR
DEPDES5ANT nlX/USE TANK AGITATOR
ArmONIA STOVAGt TANK
•S FUEL OIL STORAGE TANK
FATTY «C10 STORAGE TONIC
AnlNE ACETMIE STOKAOC TMt
ftHOSCHt SrORAGC TANK
3* AnlNE ACETATE ni>/U5E TANK
SULFUDIC ACID STORAGE TANK
FATTV ACID/FUEL OIL nix/uSE TANK
BULK I.P. AfllNC STORAGE TANK
I.P. AHINE rtlX/USE TANK
BULK DCPRCSSANT TANK
OEPRrSSANt BIX/USE TAHX
INSTRUMENT AIR COnPRESSO* PACKAGE
INSTKunENT AIR ORVER PACKAGE
Oil SKltWER PACKAGE
Figure 2-3-9
REAGENT AREA OF BENEFICIATION PLANT
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Rtvjion IV
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
CF INDUSTRIES
Hardee Phosphate Complex II
-------
Table 2.3.10-1. Reagent Tankage Requirements
Reagent Area Tankage (Above Ground)
(Diameter x Height)
Ammonia Storage Bullet
No. 5 Fuel Oil Bulk Tank
Fatty Acid Bulk Tank
Araine Acetate Bulk Tank
Kerose.ae Bulk Tank
Amine Mix/Use Tanks (2 tanks)
Sulfuric Acid Bulk Tank
Fa/FO Mix Use Tanks (2 tanks)
IP Amine Bulk Tank
IP Amine Mix/Use Tanks (2 tanks)
Bulk Depressant Tank
Depressant Mix/Use Tanks (2 tanks)
Gallons*
90,000(-)
50,700
50 , 700
31,820
16,900
31,820 (ea)
31,580
25,935
7,820
13,800 (ea)
5,830
5,710 (ea)
Size
11'0 x 135
20 '0 x 21'
20'0 x 211
16*0 x 21'
12'0 x 21'
16'0 x 21'
16'a x 21'
•
(ea)
14 '-6" x 21' (ea)
11' x 12'
14' x 12'
9'-6" x 12
7'0 x 12'
(ea)
i
Fuel Tankage (Underground)
Gasoline Storage 10,000 10'6" x 24'8"
Diesel Storage 10,000 10'6" x 24'8"
* Net working volume to overflow.
Source: DMC, 1979.
2-42
-------
The reagent tanks, other than the ammonia storage bullet, are fitted
with vent, overflow, and drain connectors, all directed to the reagent
area drainage system. In addition, all pump leakage is directed to this
same drainage system.
The reagent area drainage system consists of an area concrete slab and
trenches which direct all runoff or spillage through an oil separator.
This separator removes the water insoluble oil phase from the area
drainage. This material can then be reclaimed to a fatty acid/fuel oil
mix use tank. The water phase drains, via open swales, to the
beneficiation plant water recirculation system.
The reagent area is lighted to appropriate industrial standards to allow
for mixing of reagents at night and to allow for the monitoring of the
area for spillage.
Gasoline and diesel fuel are stored in underground tanks and vented to
the atmosphere according to standard API practice.
Lubricant oil is stored in drums in a building near the maintenance
building. A Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plan
will be prepared for the reagent fuel and lubricant storage area to
conform with regulations specified in 40 CFR 112.
2.4 WASTE SAND AND CLAY DISPOSAL PLAN
2.4.1 INTRODUCTION
The CF ore body is composed of-a mixture" of; non-uniform ,ssize phosphate
pellets, disbursed in a matrix of silts, clays, and coarser grained, sand
particles. Since sand and clay have no economic importance to the
operator, the only resource for which the proposed mine and benefici-
ation facility is being planned to recpveSr,;is the phosphate value
occurring jin the -3/4 inch to +150 meshes izeirrange. Consequently,
2-43
-------
all sand and clay removed from the processed ore will be disposed of as
waste materials throughout the life of the proposed Complex II project.
CF estimates that raining and processing ore from the Complex II site
will continue for at least 27 years before the existing phosphate
resource becomes exhausted. During this time, approximately 97 million
short cons (s.t.) of clay and 305 million s.c. of sand tailings (CF
Industries, 1983) will be generated and disposed of at various locations
prepared to receive the materials within the Complex II boundaries.
Disposing of sand and clay wastes for use as backfill and reclamation
materials for mined and disturbed lands Is one of the primary objectives
of the CF waste disposal plan*
The waste disposal method selected by CF is sand/clay mixing. Several
factors were considered In reaching a decision on the method of waste
disposal to be employed at the Complex II mine. From a materials
handling perspective, the mix reduces the equipment, energy, and
manpower requirements when compared with traditional practices of
handling sand and clay separately* Also, higher total percent solids
and increased consolidation rates have been observed from tests using
the sand/clay mix technique (Ardaman & Associates, 1982). Both features
offer positive incentives to the operator to pursue sand/clay mixing as
the primary .waste disposal method. Sand/clay mix also offers enhanced
potential for reclamation over conventional clay settling areas. The
increased dewataring potential of the sand/clay mix also allows for
lower dams than typically constructed in conventional disposal systems.
Accumulation of information on the operational aspects of the sand/clay
mix technique started In 1980 when CF began a production scale test with
sand/clay mix as the waste disposal technique. CF initiated the program
to honor its commitment to the Hardee County Board of County
Commissioners to investigate new technology that might eliminate long-
term conventional clay settling systems. Encouraging test results from
work completed at the Complex I sand/clay mix site and the favorable
sand to clay ratio of the Complex II ore have directed CF to commit to
2-44
-------
this method as the primary waste disposal technique for subsequent
reclamation at the Complex II mine site. The details of the waste
disposal plan are discussed in the following section.
2.4.2 SAND/CLAY MIX PROCESS
Sand-clay mix refers to a process in which sand and clay components,
separated during mining and beneficiation, are recombined into a suit-
able mix for disposal in a mined area. In the CF mix process, the waste
clay generated from the beneficiation processes is routed to a
containment area for storage and subsequent consolidation to higher
percent solids. When clay consolidation reaches the 12 to 18 percent
range, it is removed by dredge and pumped to a mix tank where mixing
with dewatered sand tailings from the beneficiation plant takes place
(Ardaman & Associates, 1982). The sand/clay mixture is then pumped from
the mix tank to a designated disposal site. Disposal areas are designed
to receive sand-clay mix over mined lands to final fill elevations that
consolidate to within approximately 2-3 feet above the original average
pre-raining elevation by the end of the reclamation period.
2.4.3 INITIAL SETTLING AREAS (ISA)
An above-ground settling area is necessary to receive diluted clay
slurries for storage and consolidation to use in sand-clay mixing. To
satisfy this requirement, CF plans only one above-ground settling area
to be subdivided into three compartments. Designated as the Initial
Settling Area, or ISA, the structure is necessary for the successful
execution of the sand/clay process. The ISA receives low-percent (i.e.,
2 to 5 percent) solids clay slurries originating at the beneficiation
plant and contains them until the; desired 12 to.18 percent solids are
reached for sand/clay mixing. The design of the ISA., in available
storage volume*(acre-feet), must be commensurate with the peak demands
of the total system. In other words/ storage capacity must equal- clay
production- and consolidation requirements as they; develop to the maximum
operating demands of the project. On this basis, the ISA has been
designed to ultimately provide 20,000 acre-feet of storage volume. This
requires ISA dam walls to be constructed 40 feet above the average(
2-45
-------
existing grade and encompass 760 surface acres (580 acres storage; 180
acres dam construction) at its maximum size.
During the last three mining years, 563 acres of the ISA will be mined
and reclaimed. At the conclusion of all mining activities, the mix
technique will be used to remove the clays in the remaining section by
mixing with stored sand tailings, and the dam walls contoured to near
natural grade.
2.4.4. SAND/CLAY MIX AND DISPOSAL AREAS
The design and construction of dams required for the impoundment of clay
and sand/clay wastes will comply with all provisions of Chapter 17-9 of
the Florida Administrative Code. A professional engineer, registered in
Florida and experienced in earthen dam design, will be responsible for
the design of all retention dams built on the property.
When construction is complete, the dam faces will be planted in grasses
to inhibit wind and water erosion. The vegetative cover will be mowed
as necessary to allow visual inspection of the dam surface at all
t imes.
An inspection plan for all dams will adhere strictly to the provisions
of Article IV Hardee County Mining Regulations of the Hardee County Land
Development Code, and Chapter 17-9 of the Florida Administrative Code.
All dams will be inspected daily by a CF employee who has been
instructed by the design engineer. A monthly report, including a copy
of the daily inspections, will be submitted to Hardee County. The
design engineer or another comparably qualified engineer will make
annual inspections of all the retention dams on the property. The
engineer will submit his findings in writing to the Florida Department
of Environmental Regulation. A copy of this report and any corrective
action required will be forwarded to Hardee County.
2-46
-------
Sand/clay mix disposal areas must first be constructed over mined lands
before filling can proceed. The disposal sites are constructed using
available overburden for earthen dams. Dams are engineered for safety
and utility in the same manner as conventional settling areas. The
design heights above pre-mining grades are a function of the ultimate
thickness of the sand/clay mix required to consolidate to the desired
final elevations for reclamation. This is accomplished with sand/clay
mixes stored behind dams that average 14.7 feet above pre-mining average
grades for the Complex II area. Each mix area has been planned to reach
the desired final topography for reclamation by storing only those
quantities of sand/clay mix required to achieve this objective.
Table 2.4.4-1 shows average dam heights above grade and final grades of
the reclaimed areas after capping the sand/clay mix with materials from
the surrounding dams.
Figures 2.4-1A and 2.4-1B present a plan view of all areas required to
contain the sand/clay mix and overburden/tailings for the east and west
sectors of Complex II.
2.4.5 SAND/CLAY WASTE DISPOSAL PLANNING
Many basic assumptions supporting the CF sand/clay waste disposal plan
were developed from actual field tests conducted by CF at its Complex I
mine site. The progress of the CF sand/clay technique has been
monitored by Ardaman & Associates, Inc. under a grant from FIPR (Ardaman
& Associates, Inc., 1982). A recent grant has been awarded to Ardaman &
Associates, Inc. by FIPR to continue monitoring the CF sand/clay mix
technique. Some of the major conclusions resulting from that sampling
and monitoring program are:
• Consolidation of the sand/clay mix during the filling and resting
periods within the 2-year study resulted in an average percent
clay solids of 34 percent at the end of the study period.
• Computer simulations of the filling sequence for the west
compartment of the reclamation area using laboratory
2-47
-------
Table 2.4.4-1. Sumuary of Sand/Clay Mix Data
to
I
JS
00
Sand/Clay Area
Designation
E-l
E-2
E-3
E-4
E-5
E-6
E-7
W-l
W-2
E-8
W-3
W-4
E-9
W-5
W-6
E-10
W-7
E-ll
W-8
E-12
W-9
E-13
E-14
W-10
W-li
E-15
TOIAI/AVERAGE
Sand/Clay
Acres
187
308
426
292
220
330
330
356
223
350
343
191
329
307
326
366
381
240
550
324
450
421
276
467
410
680
9083
Dam Height
Above Graie (Ft.)
18.8
13.8
17.4
15.1
17.7
18.3
18.8
13.5
14.3
22.1
13.3
12.2
18.1
11.2
11.2
19.1
13.1
17.0
13.6
15.4
12.5
13.9
15.3
12.8
14.3
14.6
14.7
Total
Acre/ft.
6,749
5,626
14,749
7,203
8,576
13,334
13,463
7,203
5,645
19,024
7,134
3,162
11,960
4,184
4,690
15,820
7,798
7,604
12,107
8,788
8,247
10,118
8,383
8,976
9,776
16,747
247,066
Clay
m Tons
2.67
2.22
5.83
2.85
3.39
5.27
5.32
2.85
2.23
7.51
2.82
1.25
4.72
1.65
1.85
6.25
3.08
3.00
4.78
3.47
3.26
4.00
3.31
3.55
3.86
6.62
97.61
Clay
Height (ft.)
49
28
43
34
45
47
49
27
31
63
26
22
46
18
18
50
23
42
28
35
23
29
35
24
31
2i
34
Final Surface Height
Above Natural Grade
With Cap (ft.)
2.8
2.3
2.4
2.3
2.4
2.4
2.4
2.3
2.3
2.6
2.2
2.2
2.5
2.2
2.1
2.3
2.2
2.5
2.2
2.3
2.2
2.2
2.2
2.1
2.3
2.2
2.3
Source: CF Industries, 1982.
-------
sew-11;
•
MINED-OUT AREA 111
1 MS
134'.
•
SB 6?
OS!
SCjW-3
SCW-4
SC W-9
E i|i!«n«lion
pnorrnT v UNC
SCW S*NO-CIAT SEIIIINO »nE»S (Wejl I-acll
OSI S«NO THH.1NOS F«.l - OVB C»r AREAS
OVB OVCREKjnDEN FIL AREAS
P PnESCnvED AREAS
U O A MINE n OUT ARE A
OS I
:
SCW-1
SCW-2
' 1
SCW- 10
sc
/
W-8
OVB
SCW-7
'
Figure 2.4-1A
WASTE DISPOSAL PLAN
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
CF INDUSTRIES
Hardee Phosphate Complex II
-------
;i
L
—--— PROPERTY LINE
SCE SANO-CLAY SETTLING AREAS (Elftl TiicO
OST SAMO TAR.HGS FIL - OVB CAP AREAS
ova OVERBURDEN F*.L AREAS
UOA UMCD OUT AREA
Figure 2.4-1B
WASTE DISPOSAL PLAN
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
CF INDUSTRIES
Hardee Phosphate Complex II
-------
consolidation properties show reasonable agreement between
calculated and observed values.
Land use planning for sand/clay disposal areas was the subject of a
paper prepared by CF for presentation at a FIPR symposium on
"Reclamation and the Phosphate Industry" (Florida Institute of Phosphate
Research, 1983). In addition to the physical properties of sand/clay
mix consolidation and waste disposal advantages inherent with the
method, the paper also evaluated the vegetative support and water
retention qualities of sand/clay as applied to land reclamation. In
essence, nutrient analysis of the sand/clay and overburden soils show
higher nutrient content in the sand/clay soil than in the overburden.
The combination of the sand/clay mix and the overburden soils used for
capping should provide a desirable growing medium for a variety of
vegetation. Soil permeability is lower in sand/clay than typical over-
burden soils which would be an advantage in wetland restoration. The
sand/clay mix soils may be enhanced for other types of vegetation by
increasing sand to clay ratios and/or overburden caps placed over the
sand/clay mix areas.
2.4.6 TAILINGS
Some rained areas will be backfilled with sand tailings that are not used
in the sand/clay mix program. These areas are shown on Figures 2.4-1A
and 2.4-1B. The tailings may be pumped directly from the beneficiation
plant to the reclamation site or temporarily stored at a stockpile area
for later use.
Tailings provide an excellent material for backfilling. Therefore, sand
tailings and overburden will be used to construct a permanent right-of-
way to relocate the existing FPC 230KV transmission line which passes
through the east sector of Complex II. Other tailings and overburden
quantities are designated for restoring certain stream channels and
other mined out areas of the property.
2-51
-------
Revegetation over tailings usually requires a 6-inch to 12-inch over-
burden cap to retain moisture and provide some nutrients for plant
growth. CF plans to cap the tailings acres with overburden to establish
a suitable base for subsequent revegetation and to reduce the effects of
wind erosion.
2.4.7 SUMMARY
In total, over 60 percent of Complex II will be composed of sand/clay
mix areas at the conclusion of mining. Assumptions used in sand/clay
disposal planning were primarily the results of actual field tests
conducted by CF at its Complex I mine site. An important consideration
for the plan was predicting consolidation rates for reclamation.
Consolidation rates for 2:1 sand/clay mix ratios, stacked 40 feet, will
attain 40.9 percent clay solids 5 years after filling (Ardaman &
Associates, Inc., 1983). Each CF sand/clay area has been designed to
consolidate 2 to 3 feet above the pre-raining average grade approximately
5 years after filling.
Other waste disposal consists of tailings and overburden at selected
sites over the property, graded to approximate pre-raining contours.
One above-ground settling area will be required to contain diluted clay
slurries until percent solids reach the 12 to 18 percent range. Clays
will be removed from this structure, and its dams will be reduced to
meet abandonment and reclamation requirements at the conclusion of
mining.
2.5 MINE WATER USE PLAN
2.5.1 PROCESS WATER REQUIREMENTS
Water is an essential ingredient in many of CF Industries' phosphate
mining operations. Figure 2.5-1 presents the key water uses for the
mine as planned by CF, including the respective sources and final
2-52
-------
CO HfCH ?!
ro
OJ
WATER SOURCES
FUNCTION/SOURCE VOLUME, MGD
Rainfall 12.40 r_l-
1
(Non-Supply) *"""
h— -
Mine Cut Seepage 0.14 ""
Deep Well to
-------
disposition of the water. Recycled water is used extensively as a
medium in many processes to reduce the overall consumptive use of water.
Matrix transport and process water is used as follows:
• Ore Transportation - Recycled water is required to slurry the
matrix as a medium for transporting the matrix to the
beneficiation plant.
• Washer and Sizing Sections - Recycled water is used in the
washing process to separate pebble, sand, and clay size
fract ions.
• Rougher Flotation - Recycled water is used in the rougher
flotation circuit to dilute the float feed in the rougher
flotation machines.
• Amine Flotation - Deepwell water is used in the araine flotation
circuit for feed dilution. Recycled water may be used as an
alternative based upon water quality and flotation
cons iderat ions.
• Waste Disposal - Recycled water and water from the flotation
circuits is used as a medium for transporting waste clays and
sand tailing from the beneficiation plant to disposal area.
2.5.2 BENEFICIATION PROCESS REAGENT REQUIREMENTS
Several reagents are utilized during the feed preparation and flotation
processes of the beneficiation plant. These reagents include ammonia
(caustic may be considered as a substitute to using ammonia as a
neutralizing reagent), fatty acid, fuel oil, amines, kerosene, and
sulfuric acid. The reagents are used in dilute quantities to separate
phosphate rock from sand particles in the flotation circuits, thus
achieving the desired level of phosphate rock recovery.
2-54
-------
The reagents used and their expected dilution ratio in the flotation
discharge water, assuming the reagents pass through the flotation
circuit without chemically reacting, follow:
AVERAGE USAGE
REAGENT GAL/DAY DILUTION RATIO
Ammonia 3,075 9,821:1
Patty Acid 6,111 4,942:1
Fuel Oil 5,225 5,780:1
Amines 909 33,223:1
Kerosene 21 1,438,095:1
Sulfuric Acid 2,306 13,096:1
Flotation discharge waters then mix with other discharge streams from
the beneficiation process where the majority of these reagents react
forming chemically insoluble complexes and precipitates. In addition, .
most reagents have an affinity for clay particles. Consequently, as the
float circuit discharge waters mix with water containing clay, the
opportunity for further reaction takes place. As a result of these
chemical reactions and the subsequent settling out of clay particles in
the disposal areas, only trace concentrations of the reagents are
expected to end up in the plant process recycle water.
2.5.3 WATER RECIRCULATION SYSTEM
CF plans to recycle water to the greatest extent possible for use in
plant operations. The mine water recirculation system proposed
(Figure 2.5-2) will recycle 93.5 mgd, which is projected to be adequate
for the required uses. Since mining and beneficiation processes operate
with a fixed water usage to production rate ratio, demand is fairly
2-55
-------
CF SID OS/J5/8S try
ALTERNATE
NPDES OUTVALL
WEIR
NPDES
OUTFALL WEIR
XJTFALL
:ONTROL-\
EiL
INITIAL
SETTLING
AREA
IKTERIOH DAM
SAND TAILINGS
STORAGE AREA
M* INITIAL MINING AREA
(FIRST YEAR)
SPILLWAY SPILLWAY
Figure 2.5-2
CONCEPTUAL WASTE DISPOSAL AND
WATER RECIRCULATION PLAN FOR
INITIAL START-UP
SOURCE: CF INDUSTRIES, INC.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
CF INDUSTRIES
Hardee Phosphate Complex
2-56
-------
constant. Therefore, no significant fluctuations in water usage are
expected.
Seasonal variation in rainfall and evaporation rates can affect the
recirculation system's water supply; however, annual rainfall within the
region is 55 inches as opposed to the annual evaporation rate of
48 inches. This difference of 7 inches is considered as a make-up water
supply source when it can be collected. Chapter 17-9 of the Florida
Administrative Code limits the rate at which the water level in any
active settling area can be raised or lowered. This limits the variable
holding capacity of any pond, thus making it impossible to recover all
the net rainfall available during wet periods. Close control and
management of the pond system can provide for rainfall recovery of
approximately 70 percent.
This excess can be used during the pre-filling of the ISA in the initial
year of mining to provide a surplus to the system and help offset system
losses. A seasonal deficit can result if the reservoir's capacity is
insufficient to collect enough rainfall during the wet season to
counter-balance shortages during the dry season; or if the catchment
area is insufficient to offset the loss between rainfall and evaporation
rates. During the dry season, this deficit due to evaporation can
increase system losses. As planned, the system's surge capacity should
aid in eliminating these seasonal changes. If necessary, well water can
be drawn as make-up during the dry season. Conversely, during the rainy
season, if the accumulation of rainfall and runoff in the system exceed
the storage capacity, discharges may be necessary.
The major water loss from the recirculation system is entrainment in the
waste clays. CF's use of sand/clay mix for waste disposal has the
advantage of more rapid dewatering resulting in increased water
recycling and a lower rate of water loss due to entrainment. The
process, however, has not been thoroughly tested for all types of clay.
Consequently, the degree of success for water recovery is not known.
2-57
-------
Minor losses from the water recirculat ion system are identified in CF's
mine water balance (Figure 2.5-1).
2. 5. A CONSUMPTIVE USE - GROUND WATER WITHDRAWALS
On April 7, 1976, CF Mining Corporation was issued a Consumptive Use
Permit (CUP) from the Southwest Florida Water Management District
(SWFWMD) for its Hardee Phosphate Mining Complex. This permit was
originally based on a three phase development plan - two mining
operations (Hardee Complex I and Hardee Complex II) and a proposed
phosphate chemical processing plant. Expiring in late 1981, this permit
authorized an average water withdrawal of 15.74 million gallons per day
and a maximum withdrawal of 20.2 million gallons per day.
CF applied for and received renewal CUP No. 203669 from SWFWMD on
January 6, 1982. Water use projections for this permit were based on
efficient water use at Hardee Complex I and the implementation of the
plan to construct a benef iciation plant at Complex II. Consequently, CF
proposed decreased average and maximum withdrawal rates from the
original CUP. A comparison between the original and the renewal
consumptive water use permits is shown below:
Original CUP Renewal CUP
MGD/Max. MGD/Avg. MGD/Max.
Authorized Water 20.20 15.74 10.57 7.85
Consumption
This comparison shows a reduction of almost 50 percent in overall water
consumption from the original permit. The renewal CUP permit, under
which CF currently operates, has an expiration date of January 5, 1988.
The permitted wells designated for Hardee Complex II will be located in
the vicinity of the benef iciation plant site (Figure 2.3-2). These
wells collectively should yield approximately 5.0 million gallons per
day for total plant operations.
2-58
-------
Current plans indicate a need for ground water withdrawal to provide a
primary source of clean water for the amine flotation circuit and to
offset water losses from the recirculation system.
The projected material balance and ground water withdrawals were
developed using 86 percent solids in the shipped phosphate rock, 80
percent solids in the sand tailings and 18 percent solids in the waste
clays. Colloidal entrainment was calculated considering a deduction for
the water that is in the matrix when it is moved and ends up in the
waste clay.
Water will be required before the actual initiation of mining for use as
potable construction water and for pre-fill ing the ISA. The tendency of
the clays to gradually release water necessitates pre-filling at the
outset of operations, although this water will eventually be recovered
from the clays over time. The water level in the ISA will be maintained
at an elevation sufficient to provide rapid flow return to the plant
water pool for plant start-up.
CF proposes to drill two 24-inch production wells (designated Well No. D
and E) to a depth of approximately 1,200 feet into the Avon Park
Limestone (Figure 2.5-3). In addition, two smaller wells (designated
Well No. F and G) will be developed to supply the operation's domestic
and potable water needs.
Wells permitted for Hardee Complex II are described below:
Well No. D: 24-inch diameter, 1,200 foot depth—to be used as the
main production well for ground water supply to the
flotation plant.
Well No. E: 24-inch diameter, 1,200 foot depth—to be used for
fresh water dilution in mixing reagents. Casing sized
to accommodate production well pump in the event of a
production well failure.
2-59
-------
Cf S'D 08/I5/S5 r
300
RIGHT ANGLE
DISCHARGE HEAD
•UPPER CLASTICS
*
/
MIOCENE
OLIGOCENE
Ed
z
O
o
Ed
HAWTHORN
FORMATION
TAMPA
FORM.
SUWANNEE
LIMESTONE
OCALA CROUP
^ to
c£ "Z.
< O
a. t-
W
2 tiJ
O X
> l-H
•rV^
, •'-• . •. I •.
* '• 1 '\
- 'I ^ . 1 '.
: ',-(.'* '•' f
:•*•'-. H.*-
•-*•!•- r-j
.;I.«,.-J-*
V.-i-V-vi
---r-:-.T-l y
• •.r.i ;•',••!
•;'• . ^ f .
y/L- •.«.-. j
*--.' j.r« .1
.• [ • • *-
1 i
1
( 1
I T
I 1
I 1
I I
- 1 1
1 [
' I1 1
~T I
1 i
I I
I1 1
1
1 '.
' I-
I I
l l
] 1
1 1
) 1
i
~r±r
T r
I \
'/ L
/o /^
!,/]£-
ffi
L
r
Cs
s
CAS ING ~-~-_^
F
;
CEMENT
GROUT __^
-
1
\
.
. -
/
w
4\ STATIC WAT
"1
rER LEVEL
\ u~— HOLE
k DRILLED
HOLE
SAND
~~— ~~—
— — —
CLAY
t 9
PHOSPHATE
LIMESTONE
I f
, / . /y,
/ / J
DOLOMITE
—
/ •» / »
IIULt -L 1
DOLOMITE
"RUBBLE" ZONE
., . .,, .,. 1200' LEVEL
Figure 2.5-3
TYPICAL PRODUCTION WELL
SOURCE: CF INDUSTRIES, INC.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Region IV
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
CF INDUSTRIES
Hardee Phosphate Complex
2-60
-------
Well No. F: 8-inch diameter, 1,200 foot depth—to be used as
domestic water well.
Well No. G: 4-inch diameter, 500 foot depth—proposed to be used
as a potable water supply during construction.
CF has accepted and agreed to comply with the renewal CUP's operational
conditions. To maintain compliance with the permit, CF will minimize
drawdown impacts to the Floridan and water-table aquifers, perform the
required ground water level and water quality monitoring, and prepare
the necessary monthly pumpage reports.
2.5.5 OTHER WELLS
A total of 25 monitor wells are located at the CF's Hardee Phosphate
Complex II. These include: a deep well with a depth of 1,702 feet;
6 lower Floridan wells with depths ranging from 950 to 1,200 feet;
4 upper Floridan wells to depths of between 375 and 433 feet below
ground surface; and 14 shallow aquifer wells ranging in depth from 35 to
66 feet below ground surface. The wells were installed as part of the
study 'for the consumptive-use application required by SWFWMD and to meet
the ground water monitoring regulations established by Hardee County.
As mining progresses, 9 of the 25 wells will be eliminated. These
include 4 lower Floridan wells, 2 uppper Floridan wells, and 3 wells
from the shallow aquifer.
State regulations require that appropriate well abandonment procedures
must be followed. These procedures have been established to prevent
drainage of upper aquifer waters to lower aquifers through poor well
abandonment techniques. Floridan Aquifer wells will be abandoned in
accordance with the rules of the Department of Environmental Regulation,
Chapter 17-21, "Rules and Regulations Governing Water Wells in Florida."
The abandonment procedure would involve sealing the well from the bottom
to the top with neat cement grout. Shallow aquifer wells would be
2-61
-------
physically removed as the sand is stripped and phosphate matrix is
removed.
2.5.6 MAXIMUM WELL PUMPAGE
Maximum well pumpage is expected to occur during the pre-filling of the
settling pond (ISA). Estimates call for well water to be pumped at the
maximum capacity of 4,400 gpm for 90 days, the time required to fill the
ISA. However, due to a possible need to curtail withdrawal during the
dry season (to comply with SWFWMD regulations), the actual pumping time
may vary.
2.5.7 MINE PIT DRAINAGE
The dragline method for mining requires a relatively dry pit,
consequently mine pit dewatering is necessary to effectively recover the
maximum quality and quantity of phosphate matrix. CF plans to pump at a
rate of approximately 2,000 gpm to maintain the desired pit water level
elevation. Should this pumping rate fail to lower the water level to
acceptable limits, the use of additional dewatering pumps, the placement
of cast spoil against the sidewall, the use of well points for ground-
water withdrawal, or other methods may be used to reduce seepage through
the pit wall.
Since the matrix underlies the surficial sands containing the surficial
aquifer, maintaining the desired water level in the pit results in the
temporary and localized lowering of the water table in the vicinity of
the mine cut.
The degree to which this lowering of the water table or drawdown may
cause undesirable effects is a function of aquifer hydraulic properties,
the geometry of the mine cut, and the length of time dewatering
continues at each location. Water table drawdown impacts are site-
specific, short-term, and should result in no permanent water table
changes.
2-62
-------
If drawdown impacts do become excessive at the property boundaries, CF
will draw upon the latest mining and engineering techniques in minimiz-
ing or eliminating the problem. These techniques include back filling
mine cuts along property boundaries and, when necessary, digging rim
ditches between the open mine pits and property boundaries. Through the
maintenance of the water level in these ditches, a recharge area would
be created preventing the current water table elevation from declining
beyond the boundary of the ditch.
2.5.8 SURFACE WATER RUNOFF
At present, surface water runoff at the proposed site is distributed to
on-site streams and can primarily be attributed to rainfall occurrences.
Factors which influence the water discharge to each stream are soil
permeability, vegetative cover, land gradient, and drainage area. CF's
planned water recirculation system (including the active waste disposal
areas, the clear water pond, and the recirculation ditches) will reduce
this runoff by retaining a portion of the rainfall for use in the
recirculation system.
Planned post-mining reclamation activities within portions of each
watershed are expected to return the flow characteristics of most down-
stream drainage systems back to approximate pre-mining streamflow
conditions. Balancing pre- and post-mining watershed conditions will be
accomplished by plans which include the creation of lakes and wetlands,
and increasing the surface storage capacity at the site. In addition,
the drainage basin of each stream on the mining tract will be restored
to approximately its pre-mining size. Some of the major components of
Hardee Complex II* s drainage system during the operating and
post-operating phases are illustrated in Figures 2.6-6, 2.6-7, 2.6-8,
and 2.6-9.
During periods of excessive rainfall, expected during June, July,
August, and September, water which exceeds the system's water handling
design capacity will be discharged via CF's NPDES permitted outfalls.
2-63
-------
The water balance planned for the CF project uses retention capacity and
recirculation efficiency to determine the make-up water needs of the
development. The design of the recirculating water system (Figure
2.5-2) allows for the segregation of process recirculation water within
the system from the overload flow outside of the system. The ISA will
be designed to contain a 25-year storm rainfall event (defined as having
9.63 inches of rainfall in a 24-hour period) and release 12 inches of
water in a 24-hour period. The size of each area predicates a minimum
number and size of release structures. The preliminary locations of
these spillways are shown in Figure 2.5-2.
The northern section of the ISA will have two discharge structures
located in the south end and discharging into the second section. There
will also be a spillway in the southeast corner of the northern section
which will discharge into the circulation ditch. Water which is given
up by the waste clay will decant further in the second section and will
be discharged into the extension of the water circulation ditch through
two discharge structures. The water circulation ditch west of the SCL
railroad will be connected to the east-west ditch east of the railroad
through a controlled discharge structure. This will provide for the
necessary make-up water to the mine for matrix pumping.
Recirculated water will pass through the ISA into the recirculation
ditch along the southern and eastern boundaries of the ISA, and report
to the mine- (as required) and the plant through the northern ditch to
the hydraulic station.
2.5.9 WATER DISCHARGE
CF's objective to achieve a balanced wastewater disposal program can be
realized by minimizing the frequency and volume of wastewater discharged
while maintaining its quality and the water quality of the receiving
waters.
To minimize the frequency and volume of discharge, CF' plans to recycle/
recirculata as much water stored in the interconnecting ditches and
2-64
-------
ponds as possible. As a result of these efforts, discharges of treated
process vastewater should typically occur during the rainy season at
times when accumulated rainfall and runoff exceed the storage capacity
of the settling ponds and recirculating water system. This should occur
primarily during the months of June, July, August, and September.
Major inputs to the recirculating water system will include clarified
water from the settling areas, mine-cut dewatering water, and stormwater
from in and around the plant complex. As water inputs to the recir-
culating water system exceed that amount required for matrix pumping and
plant operations, occasional intermittent discharges will result.
To maximize reuse of water and minimize both ground water withdrawal and
discharge of process waters, CF may incorporate other water conservation
practices into its operation if proven successful through site-specific
experimentation. One such practice that CF may experiment with is the
use of recirculating water in lieu of freshwater in the flotation
circuit of the beneficiation plant. If successful, freshwater will be
reduced, decreasing this input to the overall plant water balance.
The proposed water balance (Figure 2.5-1) specifies that an average of
2.48 mgd is expected to be discharged on a daily basis. Reduction of
this rate depends on how successful or unsuccessful CF is in the
utilization of other water conservation efforts. Success with any
experimental water use practice is highly dependent on site-specific
conditions including matrix composition, clay settling, plant design,
and material utilization.
2.5.9.1 CF INDUSTRIES' PROPOSED WATER DISCHARGE PLAN
Each water management alternative evaluated provides its own positive
and negative impacts. CF proposes to discharge to surface waters either
directly or via wetlands. CF's primary discharge of clarified water is
expected from the recirculation system into Shirttail Branch and/or Doe
2-65
-------
Branch. An alternative surface water discharge point is also proposed
into Payne Creek. Discharge to Payne Creek is expected to be via pipe
and open ditch into wetlands by sheetflow. The surface water discharge
outfall locations selected for utilization are illustrated in
Figure 2-5.2. Payne Creek wetlands discharge outfall will be an
alternative discharge location and will be used as the operation
requires and as permitted by receiving water characteristics.
Discharge of clarified treated process water to receiving waters will be
required during or after the rainy season when accumulated rainfall and
runoff exceed the storage capacity of the water recirculation management
system.
Discharge outfall locations at Shirttail Branch and Doe Branch were
selected primarily due to their proximity to the plant site and because
direct discharge to other surface waters offered no particular
environmental advantage. With the exception of Horse Creek, all other
water receiving systems are similar, characterized as having headwater
systems with large wetland .-omplexes, relatively flat elevations, low
stream gradients and mild stream velocities. These systems flow
primarily for short periods of time following the occurrence of
rainfall. No individual system appears to demonstrate an advantage over
any other from either a functional, operational, or environmental
standpoint. Horse Creek was not considered for discharge since its
location is approximately 5 miles from the proposed plant complex.
To utilize the Payne Creek wetlands discharge outfall, excess water will
be pumped through a pipeline across Doe Branch by low-pressure water
pumps. Beyond Doe Branch, there will be enough head and capacity to
carry this water through a ditch system where water will flow by gravity
to the discharge weir adjacent to the Payne Creek floodplain.
2-66
-------
Once the water is in the ditch system, it will flow downhill to a
sheetflow control pond. The water will then overflow a grass-covered
discharge sill developing sheetflow into the floodplain paralleling
Payne Creek. There will be no discharge structures within Waters of the
State associated with these items.
The discharged water will overflow this grassed, earthen bank, and flow
into Payne Creek wetlands. The pond overflow will be designed to keep
exit velocity low. Once the effluent enters the floodplain, the
existing heavy growth or vegetation should retard the movement of the
water within the floodplain and limit the effluent velocity (to 2 feet
per second or less).
In reviewing local and regional stream water quality data, it can be
expected that during certain conditions most streams will exceed one or
more Class III water quality standards. Water quality data for Doe
Branch and Shirttail Branch have shown exceedences for alkalinity,
dissolved oxygen, cadmium, mercury, iron, zinc, and pH. Water quality
data for Payne Creek have shown exceedences for dissolved oxygen,
cadmium, mercury, and zinc. Higher than normal metal concentrations are
most likely the result of increased metal solubility caused by natural
acidic and low oxygen level stream water quality conditions. Although
violations of water quality standards may occur in these systems under
certain conditions, they most likely reflect ambient/natural background
conditions and are not the result of effluent water quality impacts. If
a comparison between the expected concentrations of the concerned
parameters in the proposed receiving stream and CF's treated process
discharge water are evaluated, it can be shown that the receiving
streams may actually experience a net positive improvement in overall
water quality. CF's proposed discharge is not expected to contribute to
or cause violations of Class III water quality standards.
As originally filed, CF Industries' Application for Development Approval
called for the construction of two surface water outfalls that would
2-67
-------
discharge clarified water to either Doe Branch and/or Shirttail Branch.
It was determined that, from an environmental standpoint, it would be
desirable to provide an alternate discharge outfall into a perennial
system. It was decided as described previously that this discharge
outfall will sheetflow across wetlands into Payne Creek just north of
Hardee Phosphate Complex II. The utilization of this outfall into Payne
Creek will increase the flexibility of operation if the experimental use
of recycled water in lieu of fresh water in the flotation plant causes
the effluent water quality to exceed Florida's Class III water quality
standards. If this were to occur, surface water discharges could be
limited in Shirttail Branch and Doe Branch. Since, at this point in
time, the quality of the process water could not be guaranteed to meet
regulatory standards on a continuous basis, the use of these
intermittent streams as receiving bodies could be restricted. If water
quality standards are exceeded, the use of Shirttail Branch and Doe
Branch will be dependent on each having sufficient volume and flow to
provide the necessary mixing and dilution to meet water quality
objectives.
If the above scenario were to occur, CF would weigh the positive
benefits of using recycled water against the resultant problems that
elevated levels of certain water quality standards could have on
receiving waters. Once these benefits and impacts were evaluated, CF
would either decide to continue using recycled water, necessitating a
request to FDER for a mixing zone, or to cease the experimental use of
recycled water in lieu of fresh water in the flotation plant.
2.5.9.2 ADDITIONAL WATER DISCHARGE ALTERNATIVES
Since, as proposed, a positive water balance is projected, an acceptable
method to discharge wastewater will be required. After an assessment of
water discharge alternatives, discharge to surface water either directly
or via wetlands was selected as the preferred option for CF. Comments
regarding other alternatives evaluated are presented below.
2-68
-------
Connector Wells
A ground water discharge method was precluded from use since an adequate
head differential between the bottom of the mine cuts and the deeper
aquifers does not exist at all locations. However, connector wells are
potentially feasible, from a technical perspective, to discharge water
from the surficial aquifer to the deeper aquifers. More detailed
studies may be needed to determine the feasibility of connector wells on
the site.
Deepwell Injection
A ground water discharge technique was rejected because the high initial
capital cost cannot be justified when compared to other alternatives.
This technique also has the potential risk of causing aquifer
contamination.
Zero Discharge
CF1s proposed projected positive water balance precludes zero discharge.
In an attempt to comply with no discharge, other negative factors such
as increased settling areas, higher dams, impacts on post-mining
contouring and reclamation, and future land use potential would all
require further consideration.
2.6 RECLAMATION PLAN
2.6.1 OBJECTIVES
The present land use of CF Industries' Complex II mine site is primarily
palmetto prairie, freshwater marsh, and hardwood forest (Table 2.1.5-1).
All of the mine site is designated as mining in Hardee County's Compre-
hensive Plan (Adley and Associates, Inc., 1980). Approximately
14,925 acres of the site will be disturbed by mining and related activi-
ties (Table 2.6.1-1). The areas to be preserved consist of the U.S. EPA
Category I-A wetlands (Figure 2.1-2).
The reclamation plan for the site is designed to meet the intent of
Florida DNR's nine reclamation rules (Chapter 16C-16) and the goals of
2-69
-------
Table 2.6.1-1. Acreage to be Disturbed and Preserved
Description Acres
Areas to be Disturbed
Mining Operations 14,647
Plant Site 60
Set Backs from Roads and Property Line* 218
Subtotal 14,925
Areas to be Preserved?
Category I-A Wetlands Contiguous with 69
Horse Creek
Subtotal 69
AREA OF MINE SITE TOTAL 14,994
* The set backs may be disturbed by access roads, utility corridors,
temporary storage of overburden, perimeter ditching and related mining
activities.
t This acreage does not include strips around preserved wetlands or
oddly shaped areas that may not be accessible with the dragline. Two
acres of Category I-A wetlands will be disturbed by a dragline
crossing.
Source: CF Industries, 1984.
2-70
-------
Hardee County's Comprehensive Plan and Hardee County Land Development
Code (Article IV). Specific objectives of the reclamation plan are to
restore the disturbed lands to beneficial uses that are compatible with
adjacent land uses and consistent with future land use plans; enhance or
restore as nearly as practicable the natural functions of the existing
important habitats, water and lands on the site; eliminate safety
hazards; minimize erosion and siltation effects of water leaving the
property; and eliminate the visual imoacts of mining. To achieve these
goals, all of the disturbed wetland and forest acreage will be replaced
and the majority of the remaining disturbed lands will be reclaimed to
improved pasture. CF's innovative sand/clay waste disposal technique is
an important aspect of the reclamation program since it reduces the
amount of conventional clay settling areas required, allows reclamation
to near original grade, and produces reclaimed soils that are suitable
for future agricultural uses.
2.6.2 PHYSICAL RECLAMATION OF LANDFQRMS
The land use capabilities and reclamation plans for the mined areas are
closely related to the types of landforms created by the waste disposal
plan. The acreage of each landform remaining after mining and waste
disposal is delineated in Table 2.6.2-1 and is summarized below:
Landform Acreage
Sand/Clay Mix Areas 9,083
Sand Tailings Fill Areas 2,213
with Overburden Cap
Mined Out Areas for 2,399
Land-and-Lakes
Overburden Fill Areas and 1,230
Disturbed Natural Ground
The location of these various land forms is shown on Figures 2.4-1A and
2.4-18. The proposed physical restoration of these landforms is
discussed in the following sections.
2-71
-------
Table 2.6.2-1. Landforras Remaining After Mining
Percentage
Landforras* Acres of Sitet
Sand/CJlay Mix Areas
E-l 187
E-2 308
E-3 426
E-4 292
E-5 220
E-6 330
E-7 330
E-8 350
E-9 329
E-10 366
E-ll 240
E-12 324
E-13 421
E-14 276
E-l5 680
W-l 356
W-2 223
W-3 343
W-4 191
W-5 307
W-6 326
W-7 381
W-8 550
W-9 450
W-10 467
W-ll 410
Subtotal 9,083 60.9
Mined Out Areas for Land-and Lakes
MOA-1 44
MOA-2 44
MOA-3 922
MOA-4 684
MOA-5 705
Subtotal 2,399 16.1
Sand Tailings Fill Areas
With Overburden Cap 2,213 14.8
Overburden Fill Areas and
Disturbed Natural Ground
TOTAL DISTURBANCE
* See Figures 2.4-1A and 2.4-1B for location.
t Total site area is 14,994 acres.
Source: CF Industries, 1984.
2-72
-------
2.6.2.1 SAND/CLAY MIX AREAS
CF Industries has been experiment ing with the sand/clay waste disposal
technique since 1980. This particular technique significantly reduces
the time needed for stabilization of the waste clays and will allow more
rapid reclamation of these lands than could be accomplished with con-
ventional clay settling areas. This technique also allows waste dispos-
al materials placed above-grade to settle at- or near grade, thereby
eliminating the need for high dams and allowing reclamation to be
completed close to original contours. Based on the favorable results of
this experimental disposal technique, sand/clay mix will be the predom-
inant waste disposal method to be used on the site. Additional
discussion of CF1 s experimental waste disposal technique is provided in
Section 2.4.
The sand/clay mix will be pumped to 26 storage areas that will occupy
9,083 acres or 60.9 percent of the site (Figures 2.4-1A and 2.4-1B).
The sand/clay mix will be pumped at approximately 30-35 percent total
solids with a dry weight sand/clay ratio of approximately 2:1. At the
time of placement, the clay solids will be 12 to 18 percent. The
storage areas will be filled to an average height of 10 feet above
original grade and a maximum of 5 feet below the top of the dikes. The
mix will undergo an initial period of rapid subsidence and dewatering,
reaching approximately 30 percent clay solids at the completion of
filling, followed by a prolonged period of gradual consolidation and
further subsidence. Over a period of approximately 5 years after
filling, the sand/clay mix is expected to consolidate to an average of
approximately 41 percent clay solids. This level of consolidation with
surface crust development is expected to be sufficient to support
agricultural machinery (Garlanger, J984).
The natural slope of the sand/clay mix is approximately one foot drop
across 1,000 feet of disposal area. Therefore, the decant end or
downs lope portion of the storage area will be wetter and subject to
2-73
-------
ponding. Differential settling will also produce a slightly undulating
surface. The surface level of the storage area after subsidence Is
designed to average approximately two feet above natural grade.
After the desired level of consolidation is achieved, the surrounding
dams and any protruding overburden spoil piles will be graded over and
will partially cap the sand/clay mix areas (Figure 2.6-1). It is
expected that the volume of overburden within the surrounding dams and
remaining spoil piles could provide a two to four inch cap for the
sand/clay mix areas. However, the thickness and extent of the cap will
vary with the aereal coverage of the disposal area. Naturally occurring
low areas within each sand/clay disposal area are not planned to be
capped and would be retained as low areas for wetland reclamation.
Additional grading and contouring will provide the necessary basins and
drainage channels for the wetland reclamation program.
The sand/clay mix and overburden soils used for capping are expected to
have good potential for a variety of land uses, including improved
pasture, forestry, cropland and wetlands (Zeliars-Williams, Inc., 1978;
Keen and Sampson, 1983). The sand content should improve tillage and
aeration problems that are common with clay soils. The content of silt
and clay provide water and nutrient retention and natural fertility.
The increased moisture retention capacities of the sand/clay mix have
the potential for causing high water levels or ponding. This effect
would favor the reclamation of wetlands and should not preclude reclama-
tion of improved pasture. This increased soil moisture, however, may
limit the types of crops that may be grown on the sand/clay mix soils.
Supplemental grading, drainage and the overburden cap on portions of the
disposal areaa would increase the range of cropping possibilities.
Since the objectives of the reclamation plan include reclamation of
disturbed wetlands and productive agricultural uses, the majority of the
sand/clay-mix areas will be reclaimed to wetlands and improved pasture.
Revegetation methods are described in Section 2.6.4.
2-74
-------
Cf IHPCII lift
tv>
01
1. FILLING WITH SAND/CLAY
| 5' FREEBOARD
x-1:1000 SLOPE
x»^t
•i
INLET END
FILLED TO 10'CAVG.) ABOVE
ORIGINAL GRADE
OUTLET END
v/ *>' A/ "
flATURAL SLOPE OF LAND
PIT BOTTOM
2. CONSOLIDATION, 5 YEARS
SUBSIDENCE TO APPROXIMATELY
2' ABOVE ORIGINAL GRADE
3. GRADING AND REVEGETATION
PINES
PASTURE
'sswqjym*?*^*
^fTTnv*^
^-OVERBURDEN CAP
'^7^7^^M^J^f7^^f^t
NOT TO SCALE
Source: Gurr & Assoc., Inc.
Figure 2.6-1
RECLAMATION OF SAND/CLAY MIX
AREAS
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
CF INDUSTRIES
Hardee Phosphate Complex
-------
On the average, the sand/clay storage areas will be filled in approxi-
mately one year. Drying and consolidation to approximately A1 percent
clay solids will require approximately 5 years. Final grading and
revegetation will require an additional 2 years. Therefore, complete
reclamation of the sand/clay storage areas will be completed in approxi-
mately 7 years after filling is completed.
2.6.2.2 SAND TAILINGS FILL AREAS WITH OVERBURDEN CAP
Sand tailings will be deposited in mine cuts and will occupy a total of
2,213 acres (Figures 2.4-1A and 2.4-1B). The mine cuts will be back-
filled with sand tailings to approximately natural grade and capped with
approximately 6 to 12 inches of overburden (Figure 2.6-2). The over-
burden cap will provide a soil cover that will have improved agricultur-
al characteristics compared to the infertile sand tailings. Sand tail-
ings capped with overburden have good potential for improved pasture,
forestry, citrus, cropland, and residential/industrial construction
(Zellars-Williams, Inc., 1978). Recent experimental plantings have also
shown that sand tailings with no overburden cap are suitable for a
variety of forage grasses (Mislevy and Blue, 1981). It is planned to
reclaim the capped sand tailings fill areas primarily to improved
pasture, wetlands and upland forest.
Since sand tailings dewater rapidly and have good bearing capacity,
capping with overburden can begin almost immediately after filling is
complete. Final grading and revegetation will be completed within
approximately 2 years after filling.
2.6.2.3 LAND-AND-LAKES
Lakes will be constructed in five mined out areas on the site
(Figures 2.4-1A and 2.4-IB). Sand tailings or sand/clay mix will not be
available for reclaiming these areas, therefore, reclamation will
consist primarily of grading the remaining spoil piles followed by
revegetation. A conceptual diagram of the land-ahd-lakes reclamation is
shown on Figure 2.6-3. The planned surface water area within each
2-76
-------
Cf I HPCII «7I
1. FILLING WITH SAND TAILINGS
FILL TO APPROXIMATE ORIGINAL GRADE
EXISTING
GRADE
OVERBURDEN^*
. -
MATRIX
SPOIL
\i:V;'. ::•;':'•.':/ SPOIL \JAIL!NGS.y SPOIL X-'.;-£;-':
Xr^X N^gx N/.^;
^//X^/^'"^^
2. GRADING AND REVEGETATION
TREE CLUSTER
OVERBURDEN CAP
PASTURE
PASTURE
•*-v—
.*. • •.••.' '•'.'.•. .'.•'
SPOIL ^A^UNGS'-X Spo|L
NOT TO SCALE
Source: Gurr & Assoc., Inc.
Figure 2.6-2
RECLAMATION OF SAND TAILINGS
FILL AREAS
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
CF INDUSTRIES
Hardee Phosphate Complex II
2-77
-------
cr i HPCII tin
1. SPOIL PILES AFTER MINING
NOTE: Double spoiling used where it would be
advantageous to maximize the width of
islands, peninsulas and open water.
- 600 FEET
EXISTING
GRADE
OVERBURDEN \ SPO|L
" MATRIX X
SPOIL
<^X^
-------
Land
0
0
271
Land
276
385
Lake & Wetland*
44
44
651
Estimated Design Acreage
Lake & Wetland*
408
320
Total
44
44
922
Total
••HHHB^BB^
684
705
mtned-out area is based on several variables, including the thickness of
overburden and matrix, a restored water table, plus using the remaining
spoil to create necessary shoreline slopes required by the Florida
Department of Natural Resources mine reclamation rules (Chapter 16C-16).
Presented below is the estimated design surface area of land and water
in each mined out area. It should be noted that uo to 25 percent of the
lake area may be used for wetland reclamation.
Estimated Design Acreage
Mined Out Area
I
II
III
Mined Out Area
IV
V
* Area shown on Figures 2.6-4 and 2.6-5 may vary slightly.
Suggested lake shapes are shown on Figures 2.6-4 and 2.6-5; however, the
actual size and shape of the lakes will depend on variables such as the
remaining spoil pile configuration, direction of mine cuts and the void
space available. These lake shapes include islands that provide refuge
for waterfowl and wading birds, a variety of sizes and shapes for
aesthetics, and peninsulas for increased shoreline length and access
points.
Double spoiling will be utilized in the larger mined out areas where it
would be advantageous to maximize the width of islands, peninsulas and
open water. A variety of shoreline slopes will be created but at least
25 percent of the lake areas at high water will consist of a littoral
water zone for emergent vegetation and habitat for a variety of wild-
life. A shallow water zone will also be constructed that will occupy 20
2-79
-------
CFI HFCll I}7I
Figure 2.6-4
POST-RECLAMATION LAND USE:
COMPLEX II, EASTERN SECTION
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
CF INDUSTRIES
Hardee Phosphate Complex II
-------
CFI KPCII <
-
422 +
621'
SOU'CB Ci." i *not me
vEO PASTIME
t 11 PINE FLATWOOOS
4JJ OTHER HAnOVVOOOS
LARES
i
141 FRESHWATER M/LRSH
Figure 2.6-5
POST-RECLAMATION LAND USE:
COMPLEX II, WESTERN SECTION
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
CF INDUSTRIES
Hardee Phosphate Complex II
-------
percent of the lake area, this shallow water zone shall extend to a
depth of 6 feet below annual low water levels and shall have shoreline
slopes no steeper than 4:1 (Figure 2.6-3).
It is planned to reclaim the land surrounding the lakes to pine flat-
woods and hardwoods (Figure 2.6-4 and 2.6-5). Management of these lands
will be primarily for recreation and wildlife habitat.
Reclamation of the land-and-lakes areas will require approximately 2
years, allowing one year for grading and one year for revegetation.
2.6.2.4 OVERBURDEN FILL AREAS AND DISTURBED NATURAL GROUND
The mined and disturbed areas to be reclaimed with overburden fill will
occupy 1,230 acres, not including the overburden fill to be used in
reclaiming the land-and-lakes areas or capped sand tailings fill areas.
These areas are primarily located along the property boundary and also
include the plant site and Initial Settling Area, Compartment I
(Figure 2.1-1). The unmined areas along the property boundary may be
disturbed for utility corridors, access roads, pipelines, recirculating
water ditches and other related mining activities. These mined and
disturbed lands will be reclaimed to- approximately natural grade and
will have good potential for a variety of land uses, including improved
pasture, forestry, citrus, cropland and residential/industrial
construction.
Reclamation of overburden fill areas can begin immediately after mining.
These areas will generally be reclaimed within two years, allowing one
year for grading and one year for revegetation.
2.6.3 WETLAND AND STREAM'CHANNEL RECLAMATION
2.6.3.1 WETLANDS
Approximately 24 percent qf the site consists of forested and non-
forested wetlands (Table 2.1.5-1). All of this wetland acreage will be
reclaimed, as required under Florida DNR mine reclamation rules (Chapter
2-82
-------
16C-16). Although the topography of the reclaimed site will be within
2 or 3 feet of original grade, it will not be possible to restore all of
the wetlands to their original shape and location. Several large mined
out areas will need to be reclaimed to land-and-lakes, and each sand/
clay mix disposal areas will have a slightly higher elevation near its
inlet, which would be more suitable for upland land uses.
A conceptual plan depicting the location of reclaimed wetlands is shown
on the post-reclamation land use map (Figures 2.6-4 and 2.6-5). This
conceptual land use map shows the planned reclaimed wetland acreage and
the intended distribution of wetlands over the entire property. It
should be noted, however, that the actual shape and location of the
reclaimed wetlands will likely be different than that shown on the
drawing. For instance, the wetlands reclaimed at the low end of each
sand/clay mix disposal area are typically shown as one large contiguous
unit with a fairly smooth boundary. Differential settling in the
disposal areas may create several separate low areas with very irregular
boundaries which can be an advantage since they would provide more edge
effect between habitat types. Naturally occurring irregular boundaries
are not planned to be recontoured. The only natural low areas that
would probably be recontoured and/or filled would be the occurrence of
many small depressions throughout the sand/clay disposal areas which
might significantly hamper future agricultural activities. This
recontouring would not reduce the planned acreage of reclaimed wetlands.
Approximately 25 to 30 oercent of each sand/clay mix area is planned to
be reclaimed as wetlands. This acreage will be created primarily by
raising the elevation of the outlet drain after consolidation and by
retaining a portion of the oerimeter dike along the lower end of the
disposal area. Approximately 20 percent of the land-and-lakes areas
will be reclaimed as wetlands. Most of the wetlands in those areas will
be created by grading and contouring the required littoral zone within
the lakes. The remainder of the reclaimed wetland acreage will be
distributed within the areas to be reclaimed with sand tailings and
2-83
-------
overburden. Wetlands within these areas will be principally graded or
excavated in Low areas and along planned drainageways. Revegetation of
wetlands is discussed in Section 2.6.4.
2.6.3.2 STREAMS
The mine plan for the Hardee Phosphate Complex II includes the raining of
several small ephemeral tributaries and portions of some named streams.
The named streams that will be partially mined are Shirttail Branch,
Plunder Branch, and Coon's Bay Branch. These streams also have several
ephemeral tributaries that will be mined. The other ephemeral streams
to be mined on the site are tributaries of Horse Creek, Brushy Creek,
Lettis Creek and Doe Branch. The location of these streams and their
existing drainage basin boundaries are shown on Figures 2.6-6 and
2.6-7.
CF is planning to mitigate the environmental effects of mining these
streams through the following measures: reclamation of all adjacent
disturbed lands; reclamation of all disturbed main stream channels to
their approximate original grade; approximate restoration of original
drainage basin area; and implementation of certain precautionary
measures to prevent degradation of downstream waters. The reclaimed
drainage basin boundaries and drainage patterns are shown on
Figures 2.6-8 and 2.6-9.
CF is currently raining and reclaiming portions of Hickey Branch at the
existing Hardee Phosphate Complex I operation, approximately 3 miles
north. It is anticipated the reclamation of this stream will provide
relevant experience and design parameters for construction of the stream
channels on the proposed mine site.
2.6.4 REVEGETATION
2.6.4.1 EXPERIMENTAL TEST PLOTS
The combination of the sand/clay mix and the overburden soils used for
capping provide a promising media for a variety of vegetation. However,
2-84
-------
CFI HPCIH27I
Ni
I
00
: PLUMDERxBRANCH
LETTtS CREEl
S,
TROUBLESOME
CREEK
TROUBLESOME
CREEK
Figure 2.6-6
PRE-MINING TOPOGRAPHY AND DRAINAGE BOUNDARIES:
COMPLEX II, EASTERN SECTION
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
CF INDUSTRIES
Hardee Phosphate Complex II
-------
en HPCII mi
GUM SWAMP BRANCH
*» _^»
Figure 2.6-7
PRE-MINJNG TOPOGRAPHY AND DRAINAGE BOUNDARIES-
COMPLEX II, WESTERN SECTION
v»uivifi.tA II
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
CF INDUSTRIES
Hardee Phosphate Complex II 1
-------
Cfi
*'M IS^VV \ \
i HOG BRANCH
^ ~OON'SVBAY
TV* BRANCH
TROUBLESOME CREEK
nf J-fOOT COMTOOB WItnvAl
t»K£». WCtUOlNO LITtOHAL IONC
Sox'C* Gmr t Attoc me
Figure 2.6-8
POST-RECLAMATION TOPOGRAPHY:
COMPLEX II, EASTERN SECTION
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
CF INDUSTRIES
Hardee Phosphate Complex
-------
CFI HPCII «71
/ DOE BRANCHV
BRUSHY CREEK
•• S-fOOT CONTOOK MTEIWll.
(mttn ••• levf 1 datum)
LAKES HClUOtNO IITIOHAL 2ONC
OAAIMAOC BOUNDAUT
DWCCTION Of SURFACE DOAMAOC
Figure 2.6-9
POST-RECLAMATION TOPOGRAPHY:
COMPLEX II, WESTERN SECTION
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
CF INDUSTRIES
Hardee Phosphate Complex II
-------
the suitability of these mine soils for various agricultural crops and
native vegetation has not been well established through field experience
(Robertson, 1984) . Therefore, CF Industries is planning an experimental
revegetation program on an existing sand/clay disposal area at their
Hardee Phosphate Complex I. The results of this test program and other
similar research in the Florida phosphate industry will be used to
determine the most suitable agricultural and native species to be
planted on the sand/clay soils.
The existing sand/clay mix test area encompasses approximately 140 acres
and is located in Section 7, Township 33S, Range 24E, 0.5 miles south of
CF's Hardee Phosphate Complex I plant site. Filling of this sand/clay
disposal area began in October, 1980 and was completed in September,
1983. The construction of this disposal area and the characteristics of
the sand/clay mix are very similar to that to be used on the Complex II
mine site.
It is planned to test a variety of upland and wetland revegetation
techniques on the sand/clay mix test area. Personnel at the University
of Florida Extension Service, Soil Conservation Service, University of
Florida Center for Wetlands, Florida Division of Forestry, and other
qualified agencies or individuals are planned to be consulted in design-
ing the experimental plantings. Since the majority nf the Complex II
site will be reclaimed to wetlands, forest land, and agricultural uses,
the emphasis of the experimental revegetation program will be on
reclamation of these vegetation types.
CF Industries is also conducting an experimental wetland reclamation
project at the Hardee Complex I, approximately 0.5 miles north of the
plant site. This wetland project site is approximately 15 acres and has
been constructed on sand tailings and overburden fill that has been
capped with one foot of sand/clay mix. The area is planned to be
reclaimed as a hardwood swamp. Specific objectives of the project are:
2-89
-------
(1) test the success of various combinations of species diversity,
(2) test the effectiveness of an artificial hardpan to perch water,
(3) test the benefit of various topsoil applications, and (4) test
effectiveness of water control. It is expected that the results of this
project will also be of value in reclamation of wetlands at the
Complex II mine site.
Presented in the following sections are CF's current revegetation plans
for the Complex II mine site. The actual species to be planted and
planting methods may be changed in later years to reflect the results of
the experimental revegetation program and reclamation research currently
being conducted in the phosphate industry (Florida Institute of
Phosphate Research, 1983b).
2.6.4.2 IMPROVED PASTURE
Improved pasture will be planted as the initial vegetative cover on
approximately 6,659 acres of the reclaimed site. This initial planting
of forage grasses will be established on portions of all upland land-
forms and would be the dominant vegetation type on the reclaimed site
(Table 2.1.5-1 and Figures 2.6-4 and 2.6-5).
Improved pasture was chosen as the dominant post-reclamation land use
for the following reasons: (I) reclaimed grazing land is in demand
among local cattlemen and is a productive agricultural use for mined
lands (Hawkins, 1983; Miller, 1983); (2) planting of forage crops is an
excellent method or stabilizing reclaimed soils and preventing erosion;
(3) the establishment of pasture sods is an excellent means of encourag-
ing the development of organic matter content of soils which improves
tillage properties, aeration, nutrient retention and moisture retention
(Cellars-Williams, Inc., 1980); and (4) improved pasture is a vegetation
type that can be easily cleared and converted to cropland or alternative
uses if desired.
2-90
-------
The forage species to be planted will contain a rapidly germinating
annual grass that will quickly provide an initial ground cover (where
erosion control is important), a long-lived perennial legume and one or
two long-lived perennial grasses for the permanent vegetative cover.
Inclusion of a legume is intended to reduce the need for refertilization
with nitrogen since legumes are nitrogen fixing plants.
The particular grass and legume species to be planted will be carefully
selected to match the characteristics of the surface soil type. Unless
experimental plantings or additional research in the phosphate industry
identifies more suitable forage varieties, the species to be planted
will be those currently used in reclamation programs and suggested by
the Soil Conservation Service (1977) or County Extension Service.
Recommended seeding mixtures vary with the season in which they will be
planted and with the drainage characteristics of the soil. Permanent
grasses that are typically planted are Ona stargrass, improved bermuda
grasses, and bahia grasses such as Pensacola, Paraguay, and Argentine.
Clover, hairy indigo, and aeschynomene are recommended legumes; rye
grass and millet are recommended temporary grasses.
A seedbed for all pasture areas will be prepared through final grading
or heavy discing. Lime and fertilizer will be applied according to soil
test recommendations.
All unproved pasture will be protected from grazing until the forage
plantings are firmly established. Replanting and possibly refertiliza-
tion will be conducted where initial revegetation fails or where
survival is poor.
2.6.4.3 FORESTED UPLANDS
Approximately 3,400 acres of reclaimed uplands, occupying 23 percent of
the site, will be revegetated as forest land. These forested areas will
be planted primarily within the land-and-lakes areas, along the
reclaimed dams of the sand/clay mix areas, and as greenbelts along the
2-91
-------
property boundary. The greenbelts and contiguous forested atrip plant-
ings would provide habitat for wildlife, corridors for wildlife move-
ment, eventual shade for cattle and would also serve as an aesthetic
break in the landscape.
The forested uplands will consist of approximately one-half mixed hard-
wood plantings and one-half coniferous plantings (Table 2.1.5-1 and
Figures 2.6-4 and 2.6-5). The ratio of hardwood forest area to coni-
ferous forest area was decreased from that which currently exists on the
site because the coniferous species are expected to be more marketable
in the future. The site also probably contained much more coniferous
forest prior to logging in the early 1900's.
The hardwood forest areas will be planted with a variety of native tree
species such as laurel oak, live oak, dogwood and sweetgum. Biackgura,
water oak, and red maple or other suitable species would be planted
adjacent to lowland areas or along drainages where the soil may be more
poorly drained. The actual composition of planted seedlings will depend
on the availability of various species from the State Forestry Depart-
ment and commercial nurseries. Bare root, potted or containerized
seedlings will be planted in a random pattern to yield an initial
density of 400 trees per acre in order to ensure a final density of 200
trees per acre.
The coniferous forest land will be planted and managed to eventually
resemble a pine flatwoods community rather than a commercial pine
plantation. South Florida slash pine and longleaf pine seedlings will
be hand-planted in a random pattern at a density of 400 trees per acre
in order to ensure a final density of 200 per acre. Efforts will be
made to establish native understory species such as gallberry, wire
grass and small scrub oaks.
A ground cover of short-lived herbaceous species will be planted on
reclaimed forest land where erosion and sediment control is important,
2-92
-------
such as along reclaimed stream channels. The selection of herbaceous
species and timing of planting will be done carefully to reduce the
potential problem of competition between the tree seedlings and ground
cover. Eradication of agressive volunteer species or replanting of
seedlings may be required to achieve a final density of 200 trees per
acre. All forested areas will be protected from grazing until they are
firmly established.
2.6.A.4 FORESTED WETLANDS
Approximately 1,410 acres of freshwater swamp will be reclaimed on the
site (Table 2.1.5-1 and Figures 2.6-4 and 2.6-5). Most of these fresh-
water swamps will be contiguous with the reclaimed stream channels and
reclaimed freshwater marshes.
A variety of revegetation techniques for wetlands are currently being
tested in the Florida phosphate industry (FIPR, 1983a). Although many
projects are only a few years old, the results of several techniques are
encouraging. It is expected that additional research will suggest even
more effective approaches by the time CF begins to reclaim its first
wetland (in approximately mine year 5). CF's current plan for reclaim-
ing wetlands will consist primarily of creating a topography with
frequently saturated soils, providing a favorable hydroperiod, spreading
a layer of organic mulch borrowed from another wetland, and tree
planting.
The freshwater swamps will be planted with a variety of native tree and
shrub species such as red maple, black gum, water hickory, sweet bay,
water ash, sweetgura, buttonbush, dahoon and wax myrtle. Bare root,
potted or containerized seedlings will be planted by hand in a random
pattern to yield an initial density of 400 trees per acre in order to
ensure a final density of 200 trees per acre. Planting herbaceous
species for erosion control and maintenance of newly established vegeta-
tion will be similar to that described for the upland hardwood forest.
2-93
-------
2.6.4.5 NON-FORESTED WETLANDS
Approximately 2,470 acres of freshwater marsh will be reclaimed on the
site. The number of reclaimed marshes will be less than the number
presently on the site but the total acreage reclaimed will be increased
by 131 acres. Most of these marshes will be reclaimed in the lower
portions of the reclaimed sand/clay mix areas (Figures 2.6-4 and 2.6-5).
These lower wet areas will occur at the outlet end of the storage areas
and in areas of differential settling. Additional basins and channels
will be excavated if needed to create the proposed acreage of reclaimed
wetlands.
The current revegetation plan for these marshes is to spread a mulch
borrowed from another wetland that is dominated by desireable native
wetland vetetation. This technique has been shown to be a successful
revegetation method for marshes on several mine sites in central Florida
(Carson, 1983; Clewell, 1981; Conservation Consultants, 19R1). CF's
experimental revegetation plots and further research by others may
provide additional successful revegetation techniques that may be
incorporated.
2.6.5 RECLAMATION SEQUENCE
Reclamation will lag several years behind the mining schedule because of
the time required for dam construction, filling the mining cuts with
waste materials, consolidation of the sand/clay mix, grading and
contouring, and revegetation. The total time period for mining and
reclamation ranges from 3 to 4 years for overburden and sand tailings
areas, to 10 years for sand/clay mix areas. Presented below is a
summary of the projected time requirements for mining and reclamation of
a typical parcel to be mined in any given year.
Overburden Fill,
Land-and-Lakes,
Sand Tailings Fill Sand/Clay Mix
Mining t year 1 year
Dam Constructon — 0-1 vear
2-94
-------
Filling 0-1 year 1 year
Consolidation — 5 years
Grading & Contouring 1 year 1 year
Revegetation 1 year 1 year
3-4 years 10 years
The reclamation sequence for each sand/clay disposal area is presented
in Table 2.6.5-1.
Mining of the proposed tract is expected to require approximately 27
years. Reclamation of all mined lands will be completed within eight
years after mining ends. The progress of mining and reclamation activi-
ties across the property at years 10, 21, and 27 is shown on
Figures 2.6-10 through 2.6-15. The proposed reclamation schedule for
the tract for each year is presented in Table 2.6.5-2.
2.6.6 POST-RECLAMATION TOPOGRAPHY
An objective of the reclamation plan is to restore the land surface
elevations to approximate original grade, to the greatest extent
practical. All of the site is planned to be reclaimed within 2 to
3 feet of original grade, with the exception of the mined-out areas to
be reclaimed as lakes.
Sand/clay mix areas will be gently sloping flat areas with low areas
near the outlet and randomly occurring depressions which are a result of
differential settling. The retaining dams will be graded towards the
interior and will provide a thin cap of overburden material in a band
around each disposal area. The areas between sand/clay mix areas will
be graded flat in cross-sections and will be at approximate pre-mining
slopes and elevations. Several of the reclaimed stream channels will be
established in these areas.
The post-reclamation drainage area boundaries will vary slightly from
existing boundaries because of the location of the sand/clay mix areas
(Figures 2.6-8 and 2.6-9). However, total acreage of each drainage
2-95
-------
Table 2.6.5-1. Reclamation Sequence for Sand/Clay Landfills
Sand/Clay
MLX Areas
E-l
E-2
E-3
E-4
E-5
E-6
E-7
W-l
W-2
E-8
W-3
W-4
E-9
W-5
W-6
E-10
W-7
E-ll
W-8
E-12
W-9
E-13
E-14
W-10
W-ll
E-15
TOTAL
Source: CF
Acreage
187
308
426
292
220
330
330
356
223
350
343
191
329
307
326
366
381
240
550
324
450
421
276
467
410
680
9,083
Industries,
Year
Filling
Begins
2
3
5
7
8
9
10
11
11
12
13
13
14
15
15
16
17
18
18
20
21
21
22
23
24
26
1983.
Year
Filling
Completed
3
5
7
8
9
10
11
11
12
13
13
14
15
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
21
22
23
24
26
28
Year
Reclamat ion
Completed
10
12
14
15
16
17
18
18
19
20
20
21
22
22
23
24
25
25
27
28
28
29
30
31
33
35
2-96
-------
CFI HPCH
-
c
--
I33S
T34S
Sotxct Zcl«'«-
rfXJPEBTY LIC
SCC 3AM>-
-------
CFI HPCII 4271
J
ova osi
ACTIVE
SCW-1
(ft
!
PBOPtHTY LME
sew S»NO-CL»Y SETTLHQ AREAS («.,, T»CI)
OST SAND TilUGS TIL - OVB CAP »RE»S
CVS OVERBURDEN FU. AREAS
V PRESERVED AREAS
I UNUINED
MOTE SC ....• «.ol,f,.o •• -Aciu.- .r. IHo»
9C •'••• und«f conilruclton. •••'<•&!• bu*
nel m optrcdon Of In op«
-------
CFI HPCII <27I
S3
I
a
-
"F 1
| RECLAMED |
T33S
T3«S
'
PBOPtHTY LINE
SCC SANO-CLAY SETTUNQ AREAS (till Tr.ct)
OST SAND TA11NOS FLl - OVB CAP AREA]
OVS OVERBUROCN HLL AREAS
| UNMINED
NOTE: SC «r..i Id^nllfKd It 'AelF»«" >r> Thoi«
SC *r«i« wnd«r eonitruction. •••ll«bl* but
nol m opcdiion of m optrtnon
COMPLEX I
COMPLEX II
Figure 2.6-12
RECLAMATION SEQUENCE YEAR 21:
COMPLEX II, EASTERN SECTION
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
CF INDUSTRIES
Hardee Phosphate Complex
-------
CFI HPCII «?7I
SCW SAND-CLAY SETTLING AREAS (W..I TIKI)
OST SAMO TAILINGS FK.L - OVB CAP AREAS
OVB OVERBURDEN FILL AREAS
f PRESERVED AREAS
MOA UNED-OUT AREA
| [
NOTE sc •>•» WwnmM » 'Aeim* ••• *K>M
SC •'•!• oncJv con«tructton. A
not In eo*t|llon or tn BD«*i1K)n.
COMPLEX I
COMPLEX II
Figure 2.6-13
RECLAMATION SEQUENCE YEAR 21:
COMPLEX II, WESTERN SECTION
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
CF INDUSTRIES
Hardee Phosphate Complex II
-------
Cfl HPCII
•—
c
IT. ANT
SITE
I
\
\
L OVB
r~
1 OST
1 \
OST
OST
^
-'
ii
__T~
OST
OST |
1
RECLAMED
OST |
J
r~
i
•• 3 R. «2
=3]"
CSTJ
RE CLAWED
ii
0*1 ,
OST
| RECLAMED]
_
\
\
RECLAMED ^
\
OST
• -
• •
-
•
S
n
OST
""
SCE-15
ACTIVE
OST
••
T
OVB
SETTIMO
AREA
PnOPEHTT LNE.
SCE 3ANO-CLAT SETTLMO AREAS (E«l Tr.cl)
OST SAND TAHnOS FILL - OVB CM* AREAS
OVB OVERBURDEN FU. AREAS
NOTE: SC •>••• ld.r,l:l,,a ., -Acih.- „. ,,„,.
SC K'cai yrtd«r eontlructtaA. •*
KOI to ot>«iiiKxi or In opwillon.
COMPLEX I
COMPLEX II
Figure 2.6-14
RECLAMATION SEQUENCE YEAR 27
COMPLEX II, EASTERN SECTION
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Region IV
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
CF INDUSTRIES
Hardee Phosphate Complex II
-------
Cfl HPCII417!
-
—
c
•-
sqw-9
WCLAUATI M M moonEss
---- PflOPEBTY L»*
sew sANO-ctAr sETTina AREAS nvm TI«C«
OST S«NO TALMOS F(.L - OVB CAP AREAS
OVB OVERBURDEN F1.1 AREAS
' PBE SERVED AREAS
>c .•
SC •>••• urtd«* Con«)ructtort.
»ol •< ocwxlkm w M
So««cff fiiaii nrjhiim. IK
Figure 2.6-15
RECLAMATION SEQUENCE YEAR 27
COMPLEX II, WESTERN SECTION
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
CF INDUSTRIES
Hardee Phosphate Complex
-------
Table 2.6.5-2. Proposed Reclamation Schedule
Types of Reclamation and Acres Completed
Mine
Year*
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
TOTAL
Sand/ Clay
Landfill
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
187
0
308
0
426
292
220
330
686
223
693
191
636
326
366
621
0
550
774
421
276
467
0
410
0
680
9,083
Tailings
Landfill
0
0
90
111
0
0
0
0
0
374
12
105
0
59
72
40
106
37
50
108
128
242
0
0
0
646
0
0
33
0
0
0
0
0
0
2,213
Land &
Lakes Area
0
0
0
44
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
19
25
0
0
0
0
25
376
457
769
110
229
345
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2,399
Overburden
0
0
0
0
22
35
30
39
61
21
9
6
48
53
95
24
0
42
85
0
110
10
28
69
0
0
0
88
95
200
60
0
0
0
0
1,230
Total
0
0
90
155
22
35
30
39
61
582
21
419
48
538
459
303
461
765
358
801
429
913
730
892
1390
756
779
1207
549
476
527
0
410
0
680
14,925
* Mining ends in year 27.
Source: CF Industries, 1984.
2-103
-------
basin will be approximately equal to pre-mining conditions
(Table 2.6.6-1).
2.6.7 POST-RECLAMATION LAND USE
Agriculture will be the predominant land use of the reclaimed site,
occupying approximately 6,700 acres or 44 percent of the total property
(Table 2.1.5-1 and Figures 2.6-4 and 2.6-5). This economic use is
compatible with adjacent properties and is consistent with the goals and
policies of the Hardee County Comprehensive Plan. All of agricultural
land will be initially planted as improved pasture, although it is
anticipated that these lands would also be suitable for a variety of
agricultural crops and other land uses. CF's planned experimental test
plots would evaluate a variety of crops that may be planted in later
years.
The remainder of the reclaimed site will consist primarily of forest
lands and wetlands (Table 2.1.5-1 and Figures 2.6-4 and 2.6-5). These
vegetation types currently occupy approximately 45 percent of the site
and provide valuable environmental functions, such as maintaining water
quality of downstream waters and providing habitat for a variety of
wildlife. Therefore, all of the existing acreage of forest lands and
wetlands will be replaced and will actually be increased by
approximately 10 percent.
The only existing land use type that will be significantly reduced in
acreage through mining and reclamation is the palmetto prairie. This
vegetation type will be largely replaced by improved pasture which will
provide much better forage for cattle. Palmetto competes with forage
grasses and is commonly eradicated on cattle ranges. Therefore, this
vegetation type may have eventually been cleared on the CF property even
if the site were not mined.
2-104
-------
Table 2.6.6-1. Existing and Post-Reclamation Drainage Areas
Drainage Area
Doe Branch
Plunder Branch
Coon's Bay Branch
Troublesome Creek
Hog Branch
Shirttail Branch
Lettis Creek
Brushy Creek
Horse Creek
Gum Swamp Branch
TOTAL ACREAGE OF SITE
Source: ESE, 1983.
Acres
Existing
4,679
2,374
259
552
23
1,562
1,203
3,429
795
118
14,994
Post-Reel amat ion
4,708
2,266
188
840
11
1,378
1,182
3,636
728
57
14,994
2-105
-------
2.7 REFERENCES: CF INDUSTRIES' PROPOSED ACTION
Ardaman & Associates, Inc. 1982. Final Technical Report for Field
Evaluation of Sand-Clay Mix Reclamation, Research Proposal FIPR
80-03-006. Bartow, Florida.
Ardaman & Associates, Inc. 1983. Estimate of Field Consolidation
Behavior of Sand-Clay Mix at CF Mining Corporation, Hardee
Phosphate Complex, Hardee County, Florida.
Carson, J.D. 1983. Progress report of a reclaimed wetland on phosphate
mined land in central Florida. Reclamation and the Phosphate
Industry, proceedings of the Symposium, Clearwater Beach, Florida,
26-28 January 1983. Publication No. 03-036-010. Florida Institute
of Phosphate Research.
CF Industries, Inc. 1983. Hardee Phosphate Complex II; Mine Plan II,
May 24, 1983. Hardee County, Florida.
Clewell, A.F. 1981. Vegetative restoration techniques on reclaimed
phosphate strip mines in Florida. The Journal of the Society of
Wetland Scientists, Vol. 1, September 1981.
Conservation Consultants, Inc. 1981. Wetland reclamation pilot study
for W.R. Grace & Co., Annual report for 1980. Prepared by
Conservation Consultants, Inc., Palmetto, Florida for W.R. Grace &
Co., Bartow, Florida.
Florida Institute of Phosphate Research. 1983a. A survey of wetland
reclamation projects in the Florida phosphate industry. Bartow,
Florida (In press).
Ibid. 1983b. Reclamation and the phosphate industry. Proceedings of
the Symposium, Clearwater Beach, Florida, 26-28 January 1983.
Publication No. 03-036-010. Florida Insititute of Phosphate
Research.
Garlanger, J.E. 1984. Principal Associate, Ardaman & Associates, Inc.,
Orlando, Florida. Personal Communication (March 16, 1984).
Hawkins, W.H. 1983. Agricultural uses of reclaimed phosphate land.
Reclamation and the Phosphate Industry, Proceedings of the
Symposium, Clearwater Beach, Florida, 26-28 January 1983. Publica-
tion No. 03-036-010. Florida Institute of Phosphate Research.
Bartow, Florida.
Keen, P.W., and Sampson, J.G. 1983. The sand/clay mix technique: a
method of clay disposal and reclamation options. Reclamation and
the Phosphate Industry, Proceedings of the Symposium, Clearwater
Beach, Florida, 26-28 January 1983. Publication Ho. 03-036-010.
Florida Institute of Phosphate Research.
2-106
-------
REFERENCES
(Continued, Page 2 of 2)
Miller, J. 1983. District Conservationist, U.S. Soil Conservation
Service. Wauchula, Florida. Personal Communication (July 18,
1983).
Mislevy, P., and Blue, W.G. 1981. Reclamation of quartz sand tailings
from phosphate mining: I. Tropical forage grasses. J. Environ,
Qual. 10:499-453.
Robertson, D.J. 1984. Director of Reclamation Research, Florida
Institute of Phosphate Research. Bartow, Florida. Personal
Communication (March 13, 1984).
U.S. Soil Conservation Service. 1977. Reclamation of Surface Mined
Land, Practice Standards and Specifications. Code 558, Technical
Guide Section IV-A - Cropland. Bartow, Florida Field Office.
Zellars-Williams, Inc. 1978. Evaluation of the phosphate deposits of
Florida using the minerals availability system. Prepared for U.S.
Bureau of Mines, Contract No. J0377000. Lakeland, Florida.
Zellars-Williaras, Inc. 1980. An analysis of topsoil replacement as a
means of enhancing the agricultural productivity of reclaimed
phosphate lands. Lakeland, Florida.
2-107
-------
3.0 AIR RESOURCES
3.1 THE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT
3.1.1 INTRODUCTION
The proposed mine and beneficiation plant at the CF Industries Hardee
Phosphate Complex II site will be located a few miles northwest of
Wauchula in Hardee County, Florida. The proposed activities have the
potential to generate air emissions during the initial construction as
well as during the 27-year life of the raining operation. These
emissions may be fairly insignificant since actual processing of the
phosphate ore will be done at an existing off-site plant. Activities
which may result in the production of emissions include:
1. Initial land clearing and preparation (particulates from earth-
moving and combustion products due to open burning and heavy
equipment traffic);
2. The mining process (particulates); and
3. Increased vehicular activity.
These sources are relatively minor in magnitude or occur infrequently
for a short duration.
In order to assess the potential impact of the proposed mine and benefi-
ciation plant, baseline conditions for meteorology and air quality must
be assessed. An air quality and meteorological monitoring program was
implemented by CF in September of 1975. The program included a weather
station, 7 rainfall stations, 8 fixed air monitoring stations, and
5 mobile air monitoring stations. The mobile stations were operated in
1976 and 1977 and have been discontinued due to the remoteness of the
area from existing operations and the low pollutant levels recorded.
The station locations are illustrated in Figure 3.1-1.
This section presents a description of the local meteorology of the site
area, applicable air quality regulations, existing and planned emission
sources which may impact the site area, and air quality measurements
obtained at Che Hardee Phosphate Complex II site. Rased on existing and
gathered information, estimated baseline air quality levels are
presented.
3-1
-------
HILLStOKOUGH CO
C0~
HARDEE
PHOSPHATE
COMPLEX I
Air Qu»lltr Monitoring SI.lion
Rain Qiufif
M«l«olcil Monitoring Slillon
HARDEE PHOSPHATE
COMPLEX
M.I m U>M SOURCE: CF INDUSTRIES, 1981.
Figure 3.1-1
CF AIR AND METEOROLOGICAL
MONITORING STATIONS
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
CF INDUSTRIES
Hardee Phosphate Complex II
-------
3.1.2 REGIONAL METEOROLOGY
The Hardee Phosphate Complex H site has a relatively sub-tropical
climate which is typical of central Florida. Winters are generally
quite mild and dry, with occasional cold fronts from the north. Summers
are hot and humid, with fairly regular afternoon thunderstorms. Central
Florida is characteristically humid as a result of frequent rainfall,
warm temperature, and occasional cloud cover. Humidity levels are
usually highest in the early morning and lowest in the afternoon.
Tropical storms accompanied by heavy rains may occur in the summer and
early fall. Tornadoes may be associated with some thunderstorms and
tropical disturbances.
3.1.2.1 METEOROLOGICAL DATA SOURCES
The nearest weather station to the Hardee Phosphate Complex II site
recording temperature and precipitation is located about 2 miles north
of Wauchula, Florida. Table 3.1.2-1 shows the monthly and annual
average temperature recorded in Wauchula and at the CF site. Wauchula
records are based upon observations taken from 1941 to 1970. CF data
are for 1981.
3.1.2.2 TEMPERATURE
The 30-year annual average temperature in Wauchula is 72.4°F. The maxi-
mum monthly average temperature (81.6°F) occurs in August, whereas the
minimum monthly average temperature (61.8°F) occurs in January. For the
CF site, the annual average temperature for 1981 was 68°F, with a maxi-
mum monthly average temperature of 80°F occurring in July and August and
a minimum monthly average temperature of 56"F occurring in February and
December.
3.1.2.3 PRECIPITATION
Monthly and annual average rainfall data from Wauchula during the period
from 1941 to 1970 and the Hardee Phosphate Complex II site for 1981 are
shown in Table 3.1.2-2. The annual average rainfall in Wauchula is
3-3
-------
Table 3.1.2-1. Monthly and Annual Average Temperatures (*F) at Wauchula
and the Proposed CF Mine Site
Period Wauchula (1941-1970) CF Site (1981)
Januarv 61.8 NA*
February 63.1 56
March 67.1 58
April 72.1 68
May 76.6 70
June 80.2 78
July 81.3 80
August 81.6 80
September 80.2 75
October 74.7 74
November 67.4 64
December 62.7 56
Annual 72.4 68
* NA - Not available.
Sources: NOAA, 1973.
CF, 1981.
3-4
-------
Table 3.1.2-2.
Monthly and Annual Average Rainfall (inches) at Wauchula
and the Proposed CF Mine Site
Period
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Annual
Wauchula
(1941-1970)
2
2
3
2
3
8
9
7
7
3
1
1
54
.20
.79
.39
.85
.99
.66
.04
.48
.88
.05
.63
.70
.66
1
0.
2.
1.
2.
3.
4.
4.
12.
3.
0.
0.
0.
37.
42
72
68
16
54
95
57
79
60
05
76
74
94
2
0.45
3.31
1.28
0.00
9.04
6.87
4.49
10.88
5.06
0.23
0.97
1.30
43.88
CF S
3
0.79
4.23
1.22
0.00
4.12
7.72
5.41
6.09
8.16
0.79
0.83
0.91
40.27
ite
4
0.
4.
1.
0.
5.
5.
9.
10.
3.
1.
0.
0.
43.
(1981)
73
21
33
00
52
40
64
65
97
27
47
71
90
5
0.71
4.55
1.42
0.00
4.45
1.93
8.24
10.31
3.20
0.73
0.85
0.65
37.04
6
0.69
4.47
1.12
0.00
2.94
6.06
7.21
12.68
3.83
0.50
0.67
0.87
41.04
7
0.65
3.85
1.07
0.00
2.07
6.47
5.01
8.11
4.77
0.28
0.37
0.66
33.31
Sources: NOAA, 1973.
CF, 1981.
3-5
-------
54.7 inches, whereas the maximum monthly rainfall occurs in July, with
9.04 inches, and the minimum monthly rainfall occurs in November with
1.63 inches. For the stations at the CF site, the annual average rain-
fall for 1981 ranged from approximately 33 to 44 inches, with maximum
monthly rainfall occurring in August, and minimum monthly rainfall
occurring in April for most of the stations.
3.1.2.4 WIND DIRECTION AND SPEED
Winds in central Florida are dominated by the sub-tropical conditions
that produce easterly and southerly winds. The most common winds on an
annual basis in this area are between northeast and south. Five-year
(1971-1975) annual and seasonal average wind roses for Tampa Inter-
national Airport (TIA) are presented in Figures 3.1-2 and 3.1-3,
respectively. The National Weather Service station at TIA is the near-
est to the site and the roost representative primary weather station for
which long-term weather data are available. Annual average and seasonal
average wind roses for 1981 for the CF site are illustrated in
Figures 3.1-4 and 3.1-5, respectively. As shown in these figures, the
annual average wind directions measured at both sites reflect strong
easterly and westerly components. The annual average wind directions
measured at the NWS station at TIA are predominantly from the east-
northeast through east- southeast and west, whereas those at the CF site
are from the north through east-northeast, southeast, and west. The
differences in wind directions measured between the two sites can be
attributed in part to the relative locations of the sites with respect
to the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, and the non-coincident
time periods for which wind data were available for comparisons.
3.1.2.5 ATMOSPHERIC STABILITY
Atmospheric stability is an evaluation of the dispersive capacity of the
atmosphere and is used to determine the potential concentration of
pollutants. Turner (1964) developed stability classes which range
from A (very unstable) to F (stable). As the atmosphere becomes more
stable, its dispersive capacity decreases and the dissipation of
pollutants is reduced. The relative frequency of occurrence of each
stability class at the NWS station at TIA, based on 43,824 hourly
3-6
-------
NW
NE
W
SW
SOURCE: NOAA, 1975.
SCALE: 1 inch = 5%
Figure 3.1-2
FIVE YEAR (1971 — 1975) ANNUAL
AVERAGE WIND ROSE FOR THE NWS
STATION AT TIA
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
CF INDUSTRIES
Hardee Phosphate Complex II
3-7
-------
NW
sw
NE
SE
MAR - MAY
N
NE
SW
NW
BW
NE
SE
JUN - AUG
SEP-NOV
SCALE: 1 inch = 10%
SOURCE: NOAA, 1975.
Figure 3.1-3
FIVE YEAR (1971 — 1975) SEASONAL
AVERAGE WIND ROSES FOR THE
NWS STATION AT TIA
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
CF INDUSTRIES
Hardee Phosphate Complex II
3-8
-------
N
NW
NE
W
SW
SOURCE: CF INDUSTRIES QUARTERLY
REPORTS, 1981.
SCALE: 1 inch = 5%
Figure 3.1-4
ANNUAL AVERAGE WIND ROSE FOR
THE CF SITE, 1981
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
CF INDUSTRIES
Hardee Phosphate Complex II
3-9
-------
IMW
NE
BW
IMW
MAR - MAY
N
NE
NW
NE
SW
NW
BE
JUN - AUG
SEP - NOV
SOURCE: CF INDUSTRIES QUARTERLY
REPORTS, 1! m
SCALE: 1 inch = 10%
Figure 3.1-5
SEASONAL AVERAGE WIND ROSES
FOR THE CF SITE, 1981
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Region IV
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
CF INDUSTRIES
Hardee Phosphate Complex II
3-10
-------
observations over a 5-year period from 1971 to 1975 (NOAA, 1975), is
presented in the following list:
Stability Class
A - very unstable
B - moderately unstable
C - slightly unstable
D - neutral
E,F - slightly stable, stable
Frequency of Occurrence
0.4 percent
6.0 percent
15.6 percent
37.8 percent
40.2 percent
Conditions at the Hardee Phosphate Complex II site are expected to be
similar to the conditions experienced at Tampa, due to the proximity of
the two sites. Slightly lower wind speeds and a slight increase in
unstable conditions (A,B,C) may be expected at the CF site due to its
inland location compared to the NWS station at TIA.
Atmospheric temperature inversions alter the dispersive and mixing
capacity of the atmosphere and limit the volume of air into which
emitted pollutants can mix. The most frequent inversions occurring at
the site are due to the radiative cooling of the surface on clear and
calm nights, called nocturnal or radiation inversions. The most severe
radiation inversions occur during the fall and winter, but are usually
dissolved by surface heating shortly after sunrise.
Other types of inversions that occur at the site are due to frontal
systems and subsidence inversions. A frontal system may cause a build-
up of pollutant concentrations for a few hours, but these systems are
experienced infrequently and only during the late fall or winter when
cooler air masses invade the state. A subsidence inversion is formed
when a stationary high pressure area causes air at high levels to slowly
descend, creating an upper air inversion. Unlike nocturnal inversions
which are broken up by sunshine, subsidence inversions, resulting from
high pressure areas, may persist for days. A study by Holzworth (1972)
showed that occurrences of mixing heights of less than 1,500 meters on
at least 2 to 5 consecutive days with wind speeds of less than
3-11
-------
4.0 meters per second, representative of stagnation conditions, are
expected infrequently near the site. Stagnation conditions lasting at
least 2 consecutive days occurred about 9 times, whereas stagnation
conditions lasting at least 5 days did not occur over a 5-year period.
Stagnation estimates are based on data collected at Tampa, the nearest
NWS station to the proposed site included in the Holzworth study.
3.1.3 APPLICABLE AIR QUALITY REGULATIONS
3.1.3.1 AMBIENT AIR QUALITY STANDARDS (AAQS)
Federal and State of Florida AAQS applicable to the proposed project
site are shown in Table 3.1.3-1. Pollutants for which AAQS have been
set are termed "criteria" pollutants. Federal AAQS were set by EPA to
protect the public health and welfare (i.e., animals, vegetation, soils,
materials, etc.) with an adequate margin of safety.
Florida AAQS are equal to or, in the case of sulfur dioxide, more
stringent than federal AAQS. EPA promulgated secondary annual and
24-hour sulfur dioxide AAQS in 1971, but revoked these standards in
1973. The State of Florida, however, retained these secondary standards
as the state AAQS.
3.1.3.2 PREVENTION OF SIGNIFICANT DETERIORATION (PSD)
The Clean Air Act was amended in August 1977 (Public Law 95-95) to
incorporate provisions for PSD. Final PSD regulations were promulgated
by EPA in August 1980 (45 FR 52735) and require that state implementa-
tion plans be revised to include requirements which will prevent signi-
ficant deterioration of air quality in areas which meet the ambient air
quality standards. Major new sources and major modifications are
required Co undergo PSD review. A new source is termed major if it has
the potential to emit 100 tons per year or more of any regulated
pollutant and belongs to one of 28 specified source categories, or if it
has Che potential to emit 250 Cons per year or more of any regulated
pollutant.
3-12
-------
Table 3.1.3-1. Federal and State of Florida AAQS and Allowable PSD Increments (ug/nt3)
Federal AAQS
Pollutant
Suspended Participate
Matter
Sulfur Dioxide
Carbon Monoxide
Hydrocarbons
Nitrogen Dioxide
Ozone
Lead
Averaging Time
Annual Geometric Mean
24-Hour Maximurt*
Annual Arithmetic Mean
24-Hour Maximun^
3-Hour Maximum*
8-Hour Maximurt*
1-Hour Maximutf*
3-Hour Maximutf*
(6 to 9 A.M.)
Annual Arithmetic Mean
1-Hour Maximunt
Calendar Quarter
Primary
Standard
75
260
80
365
N/A
10,000
40,000
160
100
235
1.5
Secondary
Standard
60
150
N/A
N/A
1,300
10,000
40,000
160
100
235
1.5
State
of
Florida
AAQS
60
150
60
260
1,300
10,000
40,000
160
100
235
1.5
PSD Increment
Class
I II III
5 19 37
10 37 75
2 20 40
5 91 182
25 512 700
— — —
— — — -
_ _ _
— — —
— — —
— — —
* Maximun concentration not to be exceeded more than once par year.
t The standard is attained when the average number of calendar days per year on which the standard
level is exceeded is less than one.
Sources: EPA, 1981 (40 CFR, Part 50).
EPA, 1982 (40 CFR, Part 52).
ITER, 1982 (Ch 17-2, FAC).
3-13
-------
Florida DER was granted federal PSD review authority by EPA on
November 22, 1983 (Federal Register). As a result, federal PSD permits
are now issued by Florida DER. EPA has previously determined that the
CF Industries Hardee Phosphate Complex II does not require a PSD
permit.
Florida DER has also promulgated state PSD regulations which are nearly
identical to the federal PSD regulations. The proposed CF Complex II
would not require a state PSD permit under these regulations.
3.1.3.3 NOW-ATTAINMENT AREAS
EPA has promulgated a list of areas of the. country which are not
currently meeting federal AAQS (EPA, 1981, 40 CFR, Part 81). These
areas are termed non-attainment areas and require special stringent
permitting conditions for new sources which are located in or have the
potential to significantly impact these areas.
Non-attainment areas for the federal AAQS for PM, S02, ozone and N02
which are in the vicinity of the CF site are as follows:
• PM—the nearest non-attainment area for PM is described as "that
portion of Hillsborough County which falls within the area of a
circle having a centerpoint at the intersection of US 41 and
State Road 60 and a radius of 12 km" (43 PR 8962). The boundary
of this area is approximately 45 km northwest of the CF site.
• 802—tne nearest non-attainment area for S02 is described as
being "the northwest corner of Pinellas County." This area is
approximately 100 km from the CF site.
• Ozone—the nearest non-attainment area for ozone is designated as
being all of Hillsborough County, its borders being 6-8 km from
the CF site. Florida DER has requested that Hillsborough County
be redesignated as an attainment area for ozone.
• N02—Florida is currently unclassified for
3-14
-------
The proposed plant site, therefore, is in an area designated as attain-
ment or unclassifiable for all pollutants.
3.1.3.4 EMISSION STANDARDS
AIL sources of pollution are required to meet state and federal emission
standards. For the proposed mining operation and beneficiation plant,
no federal or state emission standards apply. However, according to
FAC, Chapter 17-4,23(l)(d), all new sources must use the best and latest
technology in order to be granted an operating permit. Fugitive
particulate matter must be minimized through reasonable precautionary
measures [FAC, Chapter 17-2.610(3)]. New stationary air pollution
sources must complete an air pollutant source construction permit
application (FAC, Chapter 17-4.03) and receive a construction permit
before construction of the facility can begin.
3.1.4 AREAWIDE EMISSION SOURCES
Current emission sources in the central Florida region are summarized by
EPA (1978) in the Central Florida Phosphate Industry Areawide Impact
Assessment Study, which includes emission information for Hillsborough,
Polk, Manatee, Hardee, Sarasota, DeSoto, and Charlotte Counties.
Information from this report is reproduced in Table 3.1.4-1.
3.1.4.1 PARTICULATES
Dust and particulates are produced by phosphate mining and production
activicies. Hillsborough County is responsible for 39.1 percent (20,774
metric tons per year) of all particulate emissions in the 7-county study
area. Polk County produces 36.4 percent (19,326 metric tons per year)
of all particulate emissions. The remaining counties have small
contributions to the areawide particulate levels and have little or no
phosphate activity.
Sulfur dioxide is mainly produced by electric utility.operations in
central Florida but is also associated with phosphate processing.
Eighty-two percent (241,344 metric tons per year) of the SC>2 emissions
3-15
-------
Table 3.1.4-1.
Summary of Point and Area Source Emissions in Study
Area
County
Metric Tons Per Year
1974
Particulates
S02
1976
Participates
S02
Charlotte
Area sources
Point sources
DeSoto
Area sources
Point sources
Hardee
Area sources
Point sources
Hillsborough
Area sources
Point sources
Manatee
Area sources
Point sources
Polk
Area sources
Point sources
Sarasota
Area sources
Point sources
TOTAL
Area sources
Point sources
All sources
1,835
32
1,644
29
2,556
37
12,382
29,358
3,091
399
10,983
31,125
2,806
115
35,297
61,095
96,392
141
40
65
85
72
114
2,559
267,620
326
746
841
119,010
328
175
4,332
387,790
392,122
1,862
32
1,656
29
2,572
37
12,865
7,909
3,121
614
11,199
8,127
2,901
115
36,176
16,863
53,039
147
40
67
85
73
114
2,695
238,649
348
5,593
901
45,080
349
175
4,580
289,736
294,316
Overall, the ambient levels of dust and S(>2 are expected to increase
in the 7-county study area between 1976 and 2000. The 1976 fluoride
emissions by the phosphate industry were reported to be 315 metric
(346 short) tons. This level is not expected to change much before
2000.
Source: EPA, 1978.
3-16
-------
produced in the EPA 7-county study area are from Hillsborough County.
Most of these emissions can be attributed to electric generating
facility point sources. Polk County comprises 15.6 percent (45,981
metric tons per year) of the total areawide SC^ emissions. Very
little S(>2 is emitted in Hardee, Manatee, Sarasota, DeSoto, and
Charlotte Counties.
3.1.4.2 FLUORIDES
Fluoride emissions are produced from phosphate processing. It is
estimated that 315 metric tons of fluoride emissions were generated by
the phosphate industry in central Florida in 1976 (EPA, 1978). These
levels are expected to remain fairly constant in the ensuing 20 years.
3.1.4.3 NITROGEN OXIDES
Nitrogen oxide emissions are a by-product of fossil fuel combustion and
are related to fuel-burning activities. Point source emissions are
produced primarily from electric power generating facilities and
phosphate plants in central Florida.
3.1.5 AMBIENT AIR QUALITY DATA
As discussed in Section 3.1.1, CF has gathered ambient air monitoring
data at the Hardee Phosphate Complex II site since September 1975. The
locations of the air monitoring stations are shown in Figure 3.1-1.
Tables 3.1.5-1 through 3.1.5-3 summarize the collected ambient data for
total suspended particulate matter (TSP), sulfur dioxide (802), and
gaseous fluorides (F), respectively, for the years 1976 through 1981.
These data are from the fixed CF monitoring stations, Stations AQ-1
through AQ-8. Data from the mobile monitoring stations AQ-9 through
AQ-13, are not presented because these data were collected inter-
mittently and over only a 1.5-year period in 1976 and 1977.
Effective January 1, 1986, CF modified its ambient air quality
monitoring program after generating a 10-year data base. In this
revised program, the ambient air is monitored at Station AQ-2. This
station monitors for TSP and is located at Hardee Phosphate Complex I in
the general area of mining activity.
3-17
-------
Table 3.1.5-1.
Summary of 24-Hour Total Suspended Particulate Matter
Concentrations Measured on the CF Industries Site
1976-1981 '
Concentrations (ug/ra^)
Station Year
AQ-1 1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
AQ-2 1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
AQ-3 1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
AQ-4 1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
\Q-5 1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
IQ-6 1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
Number of
Observations
56
61
60
60
60
60
54
59
58
58
60
61
58
59
60
57
56
59
56
60
57
58
58
61
58
59
60
58
61
61
57
59
60
60
58
61
Highest
24-Hour
289
160
95
165
81
240
99
146
67
96
105
97
73
294
103
114
131
125
84
118
107
144
80
127
61
76
88
87
59
111
88
210
70
69
67
86
Second
Highest
24-Hour
99
114
75
96
70
133
83
110
62
72
69
89
71
100
80
78
84
124
64
66
87
97
80
112
55
60
55
57
56
73
59
101
65
67
67
84
Geometric
Mean
31
29
28
35
35
44
27
25
28
31
27
30
30
31
24
26
35
55
25
27
31
33
38
33
24
25
24
25
30
30
28
28
27
30
31
31
3-18
-------
Table 3.1.5-1.
Summary of 24-Hour Total Suspended Particulate Matter
Concentrations Measured on the CF Industries Site,
1976-1981 (Continued, Page 2 of 2)
Station
Year
Number of
Observations
AQ-7
AQ-8
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
57
57
59
58
60
59
57
58
60
61
59
61
Concentrations (ug/nr)
Highest
24-Hour
76
82
75
81
134
110
97
93
207
144
71
80
Second
Highest
24-Hour
70
67
68
73
107
96
97
60
101
64
70
76
Geometric
Mean
27
26
30
33
39
48
31
29
28
32
34
34
Source: CF Industries, 1976-1981.
3-19
-------
Table 3.1.5-2. Ambient Sulfur Dioxide Concentrations Measured on Che CF
Industries Site, 1976-1981
Annual Average Concentration (ug/m3)
Period
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
AQ-1
29
14
14
15
14
13
AQ-2
21
15
16
15
13
13
AQ-3
13
13
13
13
13
13
AQ-4
19
14
15
16
14
14
AQ-5
25
13
14
15
14
14
AQ-6
16
14
15
17
13
14
AQ-7
15
14
14
15
13
13
AQ-8
15
14
15
14
13
13
Source: CF Industries, 1976-1981.
3-20
-------
Table 3.1.5-3. Ambient Fluoride Concentrations Measured on the CF
Industries Site, 1976-1981
Annual Average Concentration (ug/nr*)
Period
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
AQ-1
0.9
0.7
1.6
1.0
0.5
0.4
AQ-2
0.7
0.6
1.0
1.2
0.5
0.5
AQ-3
0.9
0.8
1.0
0.8
0.4
0.4
AQ-4
0.8
1.1
1.1
0.6
0.6
0.4
AQ-5
0.8
0.9
1.3
0.8
0.4
0.4
AQ-6
0.7
1.1
0.7
0.5
0.4
0.4
AQ-7
0.7
0.7
1.5
0.7
0.4
0.4
AQ-8
0.7
0.7
0.4
0.6
0.3
0.4
Source: CF Industries, 1976-1981.
3-21
-------
3.1.5.1 TOTAL SUSPENDED PARTICULATES
Table 3.1.5-1 shows that data recovery for TSP was acceptable for all
stations and all years. Data were collected on a once-every-sixth-day
schedule, resulting in about 60 observations per year. Annual geometric
mean TSP levels are generally low for all stations for roost years and
reflect background, rural TSP levels.
All TSP annual geometric means are less than 35 ug/m3 except for
Stations AQ-1 and AQ-3 in 1981; Station AQ-4 in 1980; and Station* AQ-7
in 1980 and 1981. All annual geometric means are less than the Florida
AAQS of 60 ug/m3. Over the 6-year monitoring period, five 24-hour
concentrations in excess of the 150 ug/m3 Florida AAQS were recorded.
The causes of the high values are not known, and judging from the
remainder of the data base, can be attributed only to local phenomena
such as agricultural operations, open burning, or forest fires. The
Florida 24-hour AAQS for TSP can be exceeded once per year at each
monitoring station, and the data show that the second highest 24-hour
observation at each station was below the 150 ug/m3 level. Therefore,
no violations of the TSP standard were recorded over the monitoring
period.
3.1.5.2 SULFUR DIOXIDE
Table 3.1.5-2 presents SO2 data measured at the CF Hardee Chemical
Complex II site. The maximum annual average concentration recorded at
any of the eight stations was 29 ug/m3, which is about 50 percent of
the Florida annual S02 AAQS of 60 ug/m3. Annual averages for most
years are less than 20 ug/m3, reflective of rural air quality
conditions.
3.1.5.3 FLUORIDES
Ambient fluoride data from the CF site are presented in Table 3.1.5-3.
Annual average concentrations range from 0.3 ug/m3 to 1.6 ug/m3,
with most averages being less than 1.0 ug/m3. No AAQS exist for F in
the State of Florida.
3-22
-------
3.2 NOISE
3.2.1 SOUND MEASUREMENT
The human ear perceives sound between frequencies of 16 and 20,000
Hertz. One important characteristic of the human ear is that throughout
its range of perception, sounds of equal pressure level at different
frequencies are not perceived equally. Sounds of low and high
frequencies are not heard as easily as sounds in the mid-range. A
commonly used weighting scale, which nearly approximates the response of
the human 4ar, is the A scale. A sound level meter measures the A scale
by electronically attenuating low and high frequency sounds.
The unit of measure in acoustics is the decibel (dB), defined as:
dB = 10 log PA2/PR2
where PA is the measured sound pressure level, and
PR is a reference level (in this case, 20 micropascals).
Guidelines for environmental noise are defined in terms of the A scale
and are expressed as one of the following statistical measures (EPA,
1974).
1. LIQ—the sound level which is exceeded 10 percent of the
time during a measurement period.
2. 1,50—the sound level which is exceeded 50 percent of the
time during a measurement period.
3. Le_(24)—the sound level equal in cumulative energy to all
time-varying noise produced during a 24-hour period.
4. L
-------
EPA (1974) also presents Che following information on the nighttime
weighting factor:
The choice of the 10 dB nighttime weighting in the computation of
Ljn has the following effect: In low noise level environments
below Ljn of approximately 55 dB, the natural drop in Ljn values
is approximately 10 dB, so that daytime and nighttime levels
contribute about equally to L^. However, in high noise
environments, the night noise levels drop relatively little from
their daytime values. In these environments, the nighttime
weighting applies pressure towards around-the-clock reduction in
noise levels if the noise criteria are to be met.
3.2.2 REGULATORY GUIDELINES
EPA has published noise levels requisite to protect the public against
hearing loss or activity interference for various land use categories
(EPA, 1974) (see Table 3.2.2-1). Sound levels are given as Leq<24)
and L
-------
Table 3.2.2-1. Yearly Average* Equivalent Sound Levels Requisite to Protect the Public Health and Welfare
Ul
Land Use
1 Residential with
Outdoor Space and
Farm Residences
2 Residential, with
No Outside Space
3 Commercial
4 Inside Transpor-
tation
5 Industrial
6 Hospitals
7 Educational
8 Recreational Areas
Activity
Inter-
ference
Measure
Ld 45
Leq(24)
Ldn 45
Leq(245
Leq(24) t
Leq(24) t
Leq(24)*** t
Ldn 45
Leq(24)
Leq(24) 45
Leq(24)***
I^n<24> t
INDOOR
Hearing Loss
Considera-
tion
70
70
70
70
70
70
70
70
To Protect
Against
Both
Effects**
45
45
70 tt
t
70 tt
45
45
70 tt
OUTDOOR
Activity Hearing Loss To Protect
Inter- Consider a- Against
ference tion Both
Effects**
55 55
70
t 70 70 tt
t 70 70 tt
55 55
70
55 55
70
t 70 70 tt
eq
-------
Table 3.2.2-1.
Yearly Average* Equivalent Sound Levels Requisite to Protect the Public Health and Welfare
(Continued, page 2 of 2)
Land Use
9 Farm Land and
Activity
Inter-
ference
Measure
Leq(24)
INDOOR
Hearing Loss
Considera-
tion
To Protect
Against
Both
Effects**
Activity
Inter-
ference
t
OUTDOOR
Hearing Loss
Considera-
tion
70
To Protect
Against
Both
Effects**
70 tt
lated Land
LJ
N3
* Refers to energy rather than arithmetic averages.
t Since different types of activities appear to be associated with different levels, identification
of a maximum level for activity interference may be difficult except in those circumstances where
speech communication is a critical activity."
** Based on lowest level.
tt Based only on hearing loss.
*** An Le (8) of 75dB may be identified in these situations so long as the exposure over the remaining
16 hours per day is low enough to result in a negligible contribution to the 24-hour average, i.e., no
greater than an Leq of 60 dB.
NOTE: Explanation of identified level for hearing loss. The exposure period which results in hearing
loss at the identified level is a period of 40 years.
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1974.
-------
Table 3.2.2-2. Federal Highway Administration Design Noise Level/Land Use Relationships
Land Use
Category
Design Noise
-10"
Level - Li-*
Description of Land Use Category
10
60 dBA
(Exterior)
70 dBA
(Exterior)
75 dBA
(Exterior)
Variable
55 dBA
(Interior)
Tracts of lands in which serenity and quiet are of extra-
ordinary significance and serve an important public need,
and where the preservation of those qualities is essential
if the area is to continue to serve its intended purpose.
Such areas could include amphitheaters, particular parks
or portions of parks, or open spaces which are dedicated
or recognized by appropriate local officials for activi-
ties requiring special qualities of serenity and quiet.
Residences, motels, hotels, public meeting rooms, schools,
churches, libraries, hospitals, picnic areas, recreation
areas, playgrounds, active sports areas, and parks.
Developed lands, properties or activities not included in
categories A and B above.
For requirements on undeveloped lands see paragraph 5a(5)
and (6), Federal Highway Administration policy and
procedure manual.
Residences, motels, hotels, public meeting rooms, schools,
churches, libraries, hospitals, and auditoriums.
*L]0 represents the level which can be exceeded no more than 10 percent of the time.
Source: U.S. Federal Highway Administration, 1976.
-------
3.2.3 EXISTING NOISE ENVIRONMENT
3.2.3.1 EXISTING ENVIRONMENT
Hardee County is predominatly rural and depends upon agriculture as its
economic mainstay. Table 3.2.3-1 provides information on land use in
Hardee County. The proposed site, the Hardee Phosphate Complex II, has
primarily open rangeland, improved pasture, and forest land uses.
Property surrounding the site is rural agricultural and is very sparsely
populated. The nearest muncipality to the site is Wauchula, the county
seat, about 2 miles away. No major noise sources are currently located
within the site or in the near vicinity. The property is traversed by
the Seaboard Coast Line (SCL) Railroad, and bounded on the north by
SR 62. U.S. Highway 17 is located roughly 2.5 miles east of the site.
These transportation facilities are currently the most significant
anthropogenic noise sources in proximity to the site. Figure 3.2-1
illustrates transportation facilities in Hardee County.
Table 3.2.3-2 and Figure 3.2-2 describe characteristic sound levels for
various land use types. From these sources, monitoring information from
similar locations, and previous phosphate EIS's, ambient Ldn noise
levels at the CF site can be expected to be between 40 and 50 dBA.
Higher levels could be experienced during periods of heavy traffic on
SR 62, when the SCL railroad passes, and during periods of increased
wildlife activity.
3.2.3.2 PROJECTED ENVIRONMENT WITHOUT THE PROPOSED PROJECT
The projected noise levels at the CF site can be expected to increase
slightly without the proposed project due to increased vehicular and
rail activity stimulated by future phosphate mining operations a few
miles south of the site in Central Hardee County. The major population
growth corridor in Hardee County lies along U.S. 17 between Bowling
Green and Zolfo Springs and may contribute to somewhat higher on-site
noise levels from increased anthropogenic activity (e.g., additional
traffic on U.S. 17 and SR 62).
3-28
-------
Table 3.2.3-1. 1975 Generalized Land Use in Hardee County
Land Use Category
Urban or Built-Up
Residential
Commercial and Services
Industrial
Transportation, Communications, and
Utilities
Other Urban or Built-Up Areas
Agricultural Land
Cropland and Pasture
Orcnards, Groves, Vineyards, Nurseries,
and Ornamental Horticultural Areas
Range land
Forest Land
Water
Wetland
Barren Land
Strip Mines, Quarries, and Gravel Pits
Other Barren Land
COUNTY TOTAL
Area
(Acres)
3,507
293
166
566
68
102,971
69,120
144,723
11,299
948
69,412
128
403,201
Percent
of County
0.87
0.07
0.04
0.14
0.02
25.54
17.14
35.89
2.80
0.24
17.22
0.03
100.00
Sources: EPA, 1978.
ESE, 1982.
3-29
-------
1-15-88
2 IAN! PAVED HIGHWAY
1 LAN! CKAOtO UNPAVfD HOAD
' RAILKOAD
V///A MUNICIPALITIES
"
-------
Table 3.2.3-2. Typical Values of Yearly Day-Night Average Sound Level
for Various Residential Neighborhoods Where There Are No
Weil-Defined Sources of Noise Other Than Usual
Transportation Noise
Population Density
Description (People/Sq Mi) L&n - dB
Rural (undeveloped)
Rural (partially developed)
Quiet Suburban
Normal Suburban
Urban
Noisy Urban
Very Noisy Urban
20
60
200
600
2,000
6,000
20,000
35
40
45
50
55
60
65
Source: National Academy of Science, 1977.
3-31
-------
—90—
CITY NOISE
—80—
Downtown Major
Metropolis
RESIDENTIAL NOISE
Very Nol*y
Noisy Urban
Urban
Suburban
Small Town and
Quiet Suburban
—70—
Day-Night
Sound Level (dBA)
—60—
—50-
—40—
-30—
Figure 3.2-2
EXAMPLES OF OUTDOOR DAY-NIGHT
SOUND LEVEL IN dB (RE 20 MICRO-
PASCALS) MEASURED AT VARIOUS
LOCATIONS
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV"
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
OF INDUSTRIES
Hardee Phosphate Complex II
3-32
-------
3.3 REFERENCES: AIR RESOURCES
Environmental Protection Agency. 1974. Information on Levels of
Environmental Noise Requisite to Protect Public Health and Welfare
with an Adequate Margin of Safety. Office of Noise Abatement and
Control, Publication No. 550/9-74-004.
Environmental Protection Agency. 1978. Draft Environmental Impact
Statement: Central Florida Phosphate Industry Areawide Impact
Assessment Program. Atlanta, Georgia.
Federal Highway Administration. 1976. Federal-Aid Highway Program
Manual Volume 7, Chapter 7, Section 3. Design Noise Level.
Washington, D.C.
HoIzworth, George C. 1972. Mixing Heights, Wind Speeds and Potential
for Urban Air Pollution Throughout the Contiguous United States.
Environmental Protection Agency Publication No. AP-101.
National Academy of Sciences. 1977. Guidelines for Preparing
Environmental Impact Statements on Noise.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 1973. Local
Climatological Data Summaries. Wauchula, Florida.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 1975. Annual STAR
Summary, Tampa International Airport. 1971-1975. Tampa, Florida.
Turner, D.B. 1970. Workbook of Atmospheric Dispersion Estimates. U.S.
Department of Health, Education and Welfare, Public Health Service,
Publication No. 999-AP-26. Washington, D.C.
3-33
-------
4.0 GEOTECHNICAL RESOURCES
4.1 THE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT
4.1.1 REGIONAL DESCRIPTION
4.1.1.1 GEOMORPHOLOGY
The project site is located in northwestern Hardee County, Florida,
within the Polk Upland region of the mid-peninsula physiographic zone as
described by White (1970) (see Figure 4.1-1). The Polk Upland is a
broad, slightly dissected, marine terrace, ranging in elevation from 100
to 150 feet above mean sea level (msl). It is bordered on the north by
the Western Valley and the Lake Upland, and on the east by the Lake
Wales Ridge. Several miles south of the site the terrain is the gently
sloping, nearly undissected DeSoto Plain ranging in elevation from 30 to
100 feet msl. To the west lies the Gulf Coastal Lowlands.
Except for the Winter Haven, Lakeland, and Lake Henry ridges which rise
from its surface in the northeastern part, the Polk Upland is a broad
area of low topographic relief. Both the uplands and the lowlands
appear to have been eroded to their present elevations from a paleo-
highland.
4.1.1.2 SOLUTION FEATURES
The occurrence of solution features varies throughout the region and is
restricted by the thickness of overburden over solution-prone limestones
and the depth of the potentiometric surface. The thick layer of
solution-resistant clastic sediments (White, 1970) above the Hawthorn
formation and the occurrence of a near-surface water table in the region
of the mine site combine to reduce the potential for sinkhole
development.
4.1.1.3 STRATIGRAPHY
The basement rocks in Florida consist of both crystallines and
sediments. The crystalline rocks range from granites to basalt flows
and pyroclastics, while the sediments are primarily unmetamorphosed to
very weakly metamorphosed noncalcareous shales and sandstones (Applin
4-1
-------
PROJECT SITE
Figure 4.1-1
PHYSIOGRAPHIC FEATURES IN SITE REGION
SOURCE: WHITE. 1970.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
CF INDUSTRIES
Hardee Phosphate Complex II
-------
and Applin, 1944). The basement rocks are pre-Cretaceous in age
(Figure 4.1-2). They are overlain by a wedge of Cretaceous and Cenozoic
sediments. This wedge thickens from about 4,300 feet in southeastern
Georgia to nearly 12,000 feet in Southern Peninsula Florida.
Throughout Florida the Cretaceous and overlying Cenozoic section
consists primarily of shallow-water marine carbonates and evaporites,
claystones and partially cemented to uncemented sands, silts, and clays.
Cenozoic strata are the only units which were encountered during
previous investigations conducted on the property.
4.1.1.4 STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY
Regional structural features that have influenced the geology at the
project area are the South Florida Basin, the Kissimmee Faulted Flexure,
and the Ocala Uplift (Figure 4.1-3). The South Florida Basin is a
downwarp structure that plunges westward toward the Gulf of Mexico with
its axis trending east-west. Sediments within the basin are Mesozoic
and Cenozoic in age and have a gentle dip to the southwest. The basin
subsided slowly from Jurassic to Middle Eocene. During this time, the
environment of the basin was essentially that of a shallow to deep shelf
supporting carbonate and evaporitic cyclic deposition. The Kissimmee
Faulted Flexure is a local, fault-bounded tilted and rotated block of
Eocene or Oligocene age extending down the Florida Peninsula in Orange,
Osceola, and Lake Counties. The regional structural feature that has
the most significant effect on the project site is the Ocala Uplift, a
gentle, local anticlinal structure.
The Ocala Uplift centers around outcrops of the Ocala Group (Upper
Eocene) and Avon Park Limestone (Late Middle Eocene) in Citrus, Dixie,
and Levy Counties on the West Coast of the peninsula. Where exposed,
the uplift is about 230 miles long and 20 miles wide. Fracturing and
faulting of the Tertiary rocks is associated with the development of the
uplift (Vernon, 1951).
4-3
-------
PANHANDLE
EAST
PENINSULA
NORTH CENTRAL SOUiH
PRE-CAMBRIAN OR
LOWER BU.EOZOIC
_--—-»-x—^^—'
'RE-CAMBRIAN ?
rootnant . i tm.
I •••COCII, IM*, t*Z
l a*u * ttMU miCK v ftaM«c KwatvruK »oc«» w« xn IMHTIHIO n ««r OM «u. ciMtinoncn or i
UMUCMTMT HOCBf IS ACCOHOIMft TO ••IMC M0 MHOMI ItMII. VlTM C«rCM UN*u*LISMCft MOOinCATIOUt •* AM.MMMI M« 4M SCMOM
« Mil MIIIHCM KllOauW COHMm i * UU.T MU I. •M,IOI CeWT. >10*IM. MTtMUMIIOII •' Mil UdUM ntWUWI MHM«.
wn» fmn.i MITMMIIC* nwtiuriM er mi a«*.
t. —L«..L, •«........«».. • SOURCE: PURI AND VERNON. 1964.
Figure 4.1-2
GENERALIZED STRATIGRAPHIC
COLUMN
U.S. Environmantai Protection Agency, Radon iv
Draft Environmantai Impact Statamant
CF INDUSTRIES
Hardee Phosphate Complex II
4-4
-------
KISSIMMEE
FAULTED
FLEXURE
SOURCE: CF DRI.
Figure 4.1-3
REGIONAL STRUCTURAL FEATURES
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
CF INDUSTRIES
Hardee Phosphate Complex II
4-5
-------
4.1.1.5 SEISMICITY
Very low seismic activity has historically characterized the State of
Florida. In modern times few significant events which occurred within
the state have been recorded. Stover e_£ al^. (1979) reported that the
maximum intensity of events known to have occurred within the state was
recorded at Modified Mercalli (mm) intensity V. There is little chance
that events of stronger intensity will be observed in Florida.
4.1.2 SITE-SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION—GEOLOGY
The geologic formations penetrated during the drilling phase of previous
on-site investigations range in age from Eocene to Recent. In ascending
order, the formations encountered are: the Lake City Limestone, Avon
Park Limestone and Ocala Group of Eocene age; the Suwannee Limestone of
Oligocene age; the Tampa and Hawthorn Formations of Miocene age; and
undifferentiated clastic deposits ranging in age from Pliocene to
Recent.
In the following sections, regional and site characteristics of the
individual geologic formations have been taken from the CF DRI
descriptions. A general Stratigraphic Section is shown for the site
area in Figure 4.1-4. A literature review and an evaluation of both the
geologic and geophysical logs from four on-site wells (ranging from 948
to 1,702 feet deep) were used to delineate the formations.
4.1.2.1 EOCENE SERIES
Lake City Limestone
The Lake City Limestone has been described in nearby Polk County
(Stewart, 1966) as a white to cream, moderately soft to hard chalky
limestone with scattered chert nodules in the upper part of the
formation. Anhydrite, gypsum, and selenite occur as nodules throughout
the formation. The continuity of lithic material from the Lake City
Limestone into the overlying Avon Park Limestone suggests that the
contact is transitional. Average thickness of the Lake City Limestone
in Polk County is 419 feet.
4-6
-------
200
4OO|—
GEOLOGIC AGE
PERIOD
QUATCftMAHV AMD
TCNTIAHY
EPOCH
PLIOCENE TO
RECENT
MIOCENE
STRATIGRAPHIC
UNIT
UPfCN UNOIFFEMENTIATED
CLA$TIC»
HAWTHORN
FORMATION
1
THICKNESS
(FEET)
40
330
— 6OOI—
o
<
3
O
O
c
(9
a oo
LIMESTONE
SAND ft CLAY
OLIGOCENE
TERTIARY
SUWANNEE
LIMESTONE
IOOO
X
K
0.
ui
O
IZOOJ—
EOCENE
I4OO
1600
SOURCE: ESE, 1981. I
CRYSTAL RIVER
FORMATION
WILLISTON
FORMATION
INGLIS
FORMATION
UPPER
LIMESTONE
DOLOMITE
ZONE
LOWER
LIMESTONE
LAKE CITY
LIMESTONE
6I
208
95
60
no
230
330
I 12
Figure 4.1-4
SUMMARY OF SITE GEOLOGY
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
CF INDUSTRIES
Hardee Phosphate Complex 11
4-7
-------
At the CF Industries site in northwestern Hardee County, the Lake City
Limestone consists of medium brown to very light brown, moderately soft
to indurated fossiliferous limestone. Dolomite also is present
scattered throughout the upper part of the formation. The contact
between the Lake City Limestone and the overlying Avon Park Limestone at
a depth of about 1,590 feet was based on the occurrence of abundant
nodules of evaporite minerals at that depth. Thickness of the Lake City
Limestone at the project site is a minimum of 110 feet.
Avon Park Limestone
In Polk County, the Avon Park Limestone is a dark brown to cream, very
hard to soft, granular to chalky to finely crystalline, highly
fossiliferous limestone (Stewart, 1966). Within the limestone section
there is normally a dolomite zone ranging from 80 to 135 feet thick
which occurs from 57 to 220 feet below the top of the formation. Wilson
(1975) provides a similar lithic description for the Avon Park Limestone
in Hardee and DeSoto Counties and gives thicknesses ranging from 200 to
470 feet for the entire formation and a minimum of 150 feet for the
dolomite zone.
In northwestern Hardee County at the project site, the entire thickness
of the Avon Park Limestone was penetrated by the Deep Floridan Test
Well. The formation consists of three lithic types. The upper unit is
a very light brown, very fine grained to coarse grained, dense
crystalline to coarse grained bioclastic limestone approximately 90 feet
thick between depths of 940 to 1,030 feet below ground surface. The
middle unit is a dark yellowish brown to light yellowish brown, fine to
medium grained, crystalline and highly indurated dolomite approximately
230 feet thick between depths of 1,030 and 1,260 feet below ground
level. Within the dolomite unit at depths between 1,130 and 1,160 is a
dark, granular, gravel-like dolomite "rubble" zone. This zone, also
described by Stewart (1966) in Polk County, contains abundant solution
features and fractures commonly lined by coarse to fine well-developed
crystals. The basal unit of the Avon Park Limestone is dominantIy
limestone and very similar to the underlying Lake City Limestone except
4-8
-------
for an absence of evaporite material. Total thickness of the Avon Park
Limestone at the project site is about 650 feet.
Ocala Group
In Polk County, the Ocala Group as described by Stewart (1966) includes
three formations. In ascending order these are: (1) the Inglis
formation; (2) the Williston formation, and (3) the Crystal River
formation.
The Inglis formation in Polk County is a white to cream to dark brown,
generally hard to very hard, granular, partially to highly doloraitized,
highly fossiliferous limestone with local soft chalky zones. This
member is 75 feet thick in parts of Polk County (Stewart, 1966). At the
CF Industries site in northwestern Hardee County, the lithology of the
Inglis formation is similar to that described by Stewart in Polk County.
The Inglis unconformably overlies the Avon Park Limestone and is present
between depths of 830 and 940 feet below ground surface. Total thick-
ness of the Inglis is about 110 feet.
Overlying the Inglis formation in Polk and Hardee Counties is the
Williston formation which consists of white to cream to brown, generally
soft, coarse limestone with coquina of foraminifera set in a chalky,
calcite matrix (Stewart, 1966). The lower 5 to 15 feet are usually
harder than the rest of the member due to dolomitization. Thickness of
the Williston in Polk County ranges from 10 to 100 feet and averages
about 30 feet. At the CF Industries site in Hardee County, the
Williston formation was observed between depths of 770 to 830 feet for a
thickness of about 60 feet.
The Crystal River formation as described by Stewart (1966) and as
observed at the project site in Hardee County is a white to tan, medium
grained to chalky limestone with large foraminifera common. The thick-
ness in the project area is about 95 feet between depths of 675 and
770 feet below ground surface.
4-9
-------
4.1.2.2 OLIGOCENE SERIES
Suwannee Limestone
In nearby Polk County, the Suwannee Limestone which overlies the Ocala
Group is a white to cream or tan, generally very soft, granular,
detrital limestone which is generally very pure. It contains abundant
bryozoa, small mollusks and large echinoids (Stewart, 1966).
In northwestern Hardee County, the Suwannee Limestone is a white to very
light brown limestone with fine to coarse grained carbonate grains in a
carbonate matrix. Echinoid fragments are common. Wilson (1975) states
that the contact between the Suwannee Limestone and the overlying Tampa
Limestone can often be identified on gamma logs by the marked decrease
of gamma-ray intensity in the Suwannee Limestone. This was observed on
gamma logs from the Deep Floridan Test Hole at about 467 feet below
ground surface. The thickness of the Suwannee Limestone at the project
site is, therefore, about 208 feet.
4.1.2.3 MIOCENE SERIES
Tampa Formation
Stewart (1966) describes the Tampa formation in Polk County as a
calcareous clay with occasional beds of white to gray sandy limestone.
Wilson (1975) uses the name Tampa Limestone and describes an upper
limestone which he does not differentiate from limestone in the
overlying Hawthorn formation and a lower sand and clay unit.
In the Deep Floridan Test Well at the CF Industries project site, the
Tampa formation was observed between depths of 370 and 467 feet below
ground surface. The formation consists of two units. These are an
upper limestone unit and a lower sand and clay unit. The upper contact
with the Hawthorn formation is determined on the basis of a distinct
lithic change from a sandy, clayey, phosphatic limestone of the
Hawthorn formation to a irelatively pure, slightly sandy and slightly
phosphatic, fossiliferous limestone of the Tampa formation. This
contact was observed in drill cutting and on gamma logs and occurs at
about 370 feet below ground surface. The thickness of the limestone
4-10
-------
unit is 61 feet at the Deep Floridan Test Well. The lower unit of the
Tampa formation is a dark greenish gray sandy clay. The upper few feet
of the clay are silicified. The top of the lower unit is placed at
431 feet below ground surface which indicates a thickness of 36 feet for
the sand and clay and a total of 97 feet for the Tampa formation at the
project site.
Hawthorn Formation
Overlying the Tampa formation is the Hawthorn formation which has been
described by Stewart (1966) in Polk County as consisting of interbedded
sandy limestones and sandy clays which are not individually distinctive.
The clays are soft, sandy, phosphatic and usually a gray to dark bluish
or greenish gray. The limestone beds are light cream to yellow or tan,
t
very hard to soft, very sandy, clayey and phosphatic.
In the Deep Floridan Test Well, the Hawthorn formation was observed
between depths of 43 to 370 feet below ground surface. The formation
consisted of yellowish gray grading to medium gray to very light gray,
fine gained, indurated to very soft, pure to abundantly phosphatic and
sandy limestone. The clay content increased with depth becoming very
clayey in the lower portion. Chert also occurs scattered through the
lower portion.
4,1.2.4 PLIOCENE TO RECENT - UNDIFFERENTIATED CLASTICS
Wilson (1975) divides the material above the Hawthorn limestone into
three units: a phosphatic unit, a shell and sand unit, and an upper
sand unit. The combined thickness of these average 40 feet in DeSoto
and Hardee Counties.
At the CF Industries site in northwestern Hardee County, the combined
thickness of the undifferentiated 'elastics is variable as is the
thickness or presence of the individual units. In the Deep Floridan
Test Well, 43 feet of light gray to yellowish gray, phosphatic sandy
clay was observed overlying the Hawthorn limestone. The average
4-11
-------
thickness over the project area is approximately 32 feet. The results
of exploratory drilling on the property have been summarized by CF in
Figure A.1-5 which shows the thickness between the base of the ore zone
and the top of the limestone.
Because of the extensive geologic information available from previous
studies, on-site geologic investigations for the EIS were limited to a
series of six shallow core borings (approximately 50 feet deep) drilled
in the study area. As shown in Figure 4.1-6, a general geologic cross
section of the upper undifferentiated elastics on Complex II was
developed from these borings.
4.1.3 SITE-SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION—SOILS
A detailed description of the soils on the CF property was developed in
the Application for Mineral Extraction (1976) and the CF DRI (1976).
The following section has been taken from these sources and discusses
the entire CF property, and does not differentiate between Complex I
(the existing mine) and Complex II (the study area). The maps included
also show both Complex I and Complex II undisturbed, even though
Complex I is presently an active mining area.
The site area is characterized by low topographic relief, localized
depressional marshes, and frequent occurrence of swamps. Along the more
developed streambeds, slopes increase to 4 and 5 percent.
The surficial soils (the top 60 to 80 inches) can be divided into three
basic groups which correspond closely to vegetative types and landforms.
These are: soils formed on the broad upland flats; soils near and
around the marshes and swamps; and those formed in the marshes and
swamps.
The high amount of rainfall in the site area causes intensive leaching
of the surficial soils. As a result, the soils are generally acidic and
often contain layers of organic matter and clay which have translocated
4-12
-------
CONTOURS INTERVAL - DISTANCE
FROM BOTTOM OF IHE ORE ZONE
TO THE TOP OF IHE LIMESTONE
NOTE INTERVALS LESS THAN
5 FOOT CONTOURSVARt
FROM '/, TO 5 FEET
Figure 4.1-5
ISOPACH MAP SHOWING THICKNESS OF MATERIAL BETWEEN
ORE ZONE AND HAWTHORN LIMESTONE
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
CF INDUSTRIES
Hardee Phosphate Complex
-------
LOCATION OF
CROSS SECTION
KEY:
^;-:: J SAND, SILT WITH SOME CLAY
SAND AND CLAY WITH LEACHED
PHOSPHATE (LEACHED ZONE)
-- SAND AND CLAY
501—
0 1 2 MILES
HORIZONTAL SCALE
SAND AND CLAY WITH
PHOSPHATE (CONTAINS MATRIX)
SAND AND CLAY WITH
LEAN PHOSPHATE
LIMESTONE
Figure 4.1-6
GENERALIZED CROSS SECTION OF UPPER
STRATIGRAPHY ON COMPLEX II
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
CF INDUSTRIES
Hardee Phosphate Complex II
-------
downward into the soil profile. This intensive leaching creates
nutrient deficient soils that must be fertilized prior to utilization
for agricultural purposes. A soils series map of the CF site is
provided in Figure 4.1-7. Characteristics of each unit are summarized
in Table 4.1.3-1. For more information on soils in general see Brady
(1974); for descriptions of soils of this area see Leighty and others
(1958), Furman (1975), and Caldwell and others (1958), and SCS Interim
Soil Survey for Hardee County (1979).
4.1.3.1 METHODS OF INVESTIGATION
The southern portion of the site west of the rail line (Figure 4.1-7)
was surveyed by the United States Department of Agriculture Soil
Conservation Service as part of a conservation farm plan developed for
the Stuart Brothers, former owners of the land. Most of the remaining
site areas were surveyed by qualified soils scientists. However, one
small area that was not planned for mining was not surveyed because of
inaccessibility. Soil-landscape-vegetation relationships and
associations on previously surveyed areas were used as a basis for
differentiating soils in previously unmapped areas. This study was
supplemented by field reconnaissance. Hand auger samples were used to
verify areas of uncertain soils composition. Since the on-site soils
investigations were conducted in 1976, the SCS has published an Interim
Soil Survey for Hardee County. This 1979 survey was used to update soil
series for two of the soils found on the CF site (i.e., Pamlico muck and
swamp were updated to Tomoka muck and Delray mucky fine sand
depressional, respectively).
4.1.3.2 DESCRIPTION OF SOILS
Predominant soils on the property are the Myakka fine sand and the
Myakka fine sand-thin surface. In general, these soils underlie the
flat, broad upland areas called flatwoods. Other soils commonly
associated with upland areas are the Immokalee, Wabasso, and Wauchula.
All of these soils are highly leached, moderately wet, and strongly
acid. They have a thin surface horizon underlain by a bleached horizon.
At depths from 15 to 40 inches, a layer of accumulated organic matter
4-15
-------
1-15-86
.-
!
-
LEGEND
?0 MllNGCR *tN€
M.A««A riNC SANO TK
-------
Table 4.1.3-1. Characteristics of Site Sails
Soil type
Basinger
Bradentm
Felda
Lnokalee
Manatee
Myaldca
Ona
•f* Panlico
(_i
-0 Parkuool
Placid
Fonpsno
Sunp
Wabasso
Maudula
Ninber
20
26
40
60
69
72
77
80
82
86
%
105
103
112
Landscape Position
at the Site
Grassy marshes
Low lying hunnock
anas
Areas near marshes
-tie press ions
Near centers of
flat high areas
Level depress ional
marshes
Level flat high
areas
Level flat areas
around marshes
Marshes
Flat areas bor-
dering marshes
Level depress ional
marshes
Flat areas bor-
dering marshes
Depressed suaaps
and along stream
Flat areas bor-
dering marshes
Flat areas bor-
dering marshes
Drainage
Poor
RJOT
Boor
Itoor
Very poor
FOOT
Boor
Very poor
Poor
Very poor
FOOT
\fery poor
Poor
Poor
Texture
Surface
Fine sand
Fine sand
Fine said
Fine said
loony fine
sani
Sand
Fine sand
Mick
Fine sand
Fine sand
Fine sand
Mjckard Mnd
Fine sand
Fine saod
(USDA)
Subsoil
Fine sand
Fine sandy
loon
Sandy loan;
sandy clay
loan
Fine sand
Fine sandy
loan
Sand
Fine sand
loany sand
Loany fine
sand
Fine sand
Fine sand
Fine sand
Fine sard
Fine sandy
loan
Oust
totential*
Low
Low
Lou
Low
tolerate
Moderate-
Low
Moderate-
Low
High
Low
Moderate
Low
None
Low
Low
Bros ion
Potential*
Low
low
Low
Lou
Low
Low
Low
Wind-high
Vbter-low
Low
Lou
Low
None
Low
low
Depth to
Bedrockt
>60"
>60"
>60"
>60"
>60"
>60"
>60T'
:*o"
>60"
>60"
>60
>60"
>60"
>60"
terne ability
(in./hr.)t**
>20
0.6-20
0.6-20
0.6-20
0.6-20
0.6-20
0.6-20
0.6-20
2.0-20
6.0-20
>20
>20
0.6-20
0.6-20
Wet Season
Elevationtt.
(in feet;
+2 to -1
+1 to -1
+2 to -1
0 to-1
+1 to -1
0 to -1
0 to -1
+1 to-1
0 to-1
0 to-1
0 to-1
+2 to -1
0 to-1
+1 to -1
Water Table
Durationt
( in ncnths)
June-Feb
June-Feb
June-Feb
June-Cfct
June-Mar
June-Oct
June-New
June-Apr
June-Oct
June-Feb
June-tfov
9-12 nos.
Jime-Feb
June-art
Presumptive
Bearing
Value*tt
Dry-high
Wet-low
Dry-high
Het-low
Dry-high
Vfet-low
Dry-higi
Wet-low
Dry-high
Wet-low
Dry-high
Wet-low
Dry-high
Wet-lo«
Low
Dry-high
Vfet-low
Dry-high
Wat-low
Dry-high
Vfet-low
Low-none
Dry-hi#i
Wet-low
Dry-high
Wet-low
Reservoir
fiubanfanent
Suitabilitiesttt
Very poor
Very poor
Moderate
Very poor
Very poor
Very poor
\fery poor
Very poor
hbderate-
Very poor
Very poor
Very poor
Very poor
Very poor
Very poor
* Personal conmnication, Link) Bartelli, Head of Soil Survey Interpretations, UBDA, Soil Conservation Service, Washington,
D.C.
t Derived from USDA Soil Conservation Service soil aeries descriptions and soil survey interpretation sheets. Bedrock is
defined as tie solid rock that underlies the soil and other consolidated material.
** Values denote ranges for the entire soil profile.
tt Elevation is with respect to ground surface.
*** High • greater than 2000 psf; low • less than 2000 psf.
ttt Surficial soils will be nodifed by construction procedures to meet engineering design criteria prior to construction.
Source: ESE, 1984.
-------
and mixed iron and aluminum materials is present. Agricultural
productivity of the flatwoods soils is limited by wetness. These soils
are not suitable for cultivation unless some kind of water control is
practiced. Even then, the potential productivity of vegetables or
improved pasture is medium and the potential productivity of citrus is
low. The potential productivity of pine plantations is moderately high
when water control practices are used. These soils cover approximately
62 percent of the CF property.
Soils found primarily in the flat uplands surrounding the marshes and
swampy areas are estimated to cover approximately 5 percent of the
property and include the Felda, Manatee, Ona, Parkwood, and Pompano
soils. Soils in this group are neutral to slightly acid and are some-
what less leached than those found in the flatwoods areas. They lack an
organic pan within the profile but are often underlain by calcareous
clayey materials. Productivity of the soils found on the flat uplands
surrounding the marshes is similar to the potential productivity of the
flatwoods soils.
Soils formed in marshes and swampy areas comprise approximately
33 percent of the property. The marshes are grassy depressions which
are covered with water during the wet season. During the dry season,
the water table in the marsh areas lowers to the soil surface, or is
just below it. Marsh soils comprise 20 percent of the property, and are
dominated by the Basinger, ponded Felda, Placid, and Pompano series.
The swampy areas which are covered with water throughout most of the
year, comprise 13 percent of the property. They are hummocky, covered
with oak vegetation, and are represented by Bradenton, Toraoka muck
(prior to 1979, name was Pamlico Muck), and Delray (prior to 1979, name
was swampy soils) mucky fine sand soils. These soils are generally dark
colored, often calcareous at the surface, and in low areas have an
organic layer varying in thickness from 2 to 30 inches.
4-18
-------
Productivity of the soils in the marsh and swamp areas depends on the
length of time the soils remain under water and/or the ability to drain
the soils. The soils that are flooded by nearby streams are unsuitable
for citrus or cultivated crops unless the flood waters can be
controlled. These soils do, however, have a hi?h potential for pine
plantations. The soils that are flooded by a rising water table are not
suitable for pine plantations and sometimes are not suited to growing
cultivated crops. The soils in the depressions are difficult to drain
because of the lack of suitable outlets for water flow. These soils
have a high potential for range because the periodic high water
naturally restricts grazing, increasing productivity.
Dust Potential of the Soils
The dust potential of the soils is dependent on a number of factors.
These include parti-cle size and organic matter content, soil moisture
levels, extent of vegetative cover, soil surface condition (smooth
versus rough), and wind velocity and turbulence. Table 4.1.3-1 gives
the rating for dust potential of each soil series of the CF property.
These ratings show that erosion potential is moderate to low for all
soils except Pamlico muck.
Evidence of severe wind erosion such as sand build-up along fence rows
and windbreaks and accumulation in ditches was not observed in signifi-
cant quantities on the site. Low dust potential is charactistic of most
of the site soils due to the low organic matter, clay, and silt content.
However, dust and wind erosion may result when some soils on the site
are dry and exposed for some time. Soils susceptible to erosion under
these conditions are those with high levels of organic matter and a deep
surface horizon. Pamlico muck, if exposed and dry, is the only soil on
the site with high dust potential. Manatee, Myakka, Ona, and Placid
soils have moderate to low dust potential when exposed and dry. These
last soils all have dark colored surface horizons at least 6 inches
thick. It should be emphasized that these soils blow only if dry and
exposed.
4-19
-------
Erosion Potential of the Soils
In the undisturbed state, soils on the site have a Low erosion potential
(Table 4.1.3-1) due to the flat topography, the sandy nature of the
soils, and the presence of good vegetative cover.
The entire CF site is characterized by low topographic relief. This
inhibits rill or gully erosion because of relatively slow water movement
from the area.
Soil structure is important in reducing erosion, but not necessarily in
all cases. Soils of the property are characterized by high rates of
infiltration due to their sandy texture. This increased infiltration
reduces run-off considerably. The coarser soil particles typical of the
CF site will not become suspended readily and will be transported for
much shorter distances than clay or silt particles.
Depth to Bedrock
Borings indicate that the Hawthorn formation (Bedrock) is overlain by an
average of 10 to 50 feet of recent undifferentiated elastics. Bedrock
is defined as the solid rock that underlies the soil and other
consolidated material.
Permeability
Permeability is a measure of the rate at which water will pass through
soil under saturated conditions. Typical permeabilities for soils found
at the site (Table A.1.3-1) range from 0.6 to 20 inches per hour for the
entire surface profile. The Florida Agricultural Experiment Station has
measured the permeability for specific soil layers. These data,
expressed as hydraulic conductivity (Table 4.1.3-2) range from 0.03 to
20 inches per hour. The lower permeabilities are the result of a higher
fraction of silt and clay sized particles.
Presumptive Bearing Value
For sandy soils such as those found on the site, natural bearing values
are high when soils are dry (over 2,000 psf), and become low when soils
4-20
-------
Table 4.1.3-2. Hydraulic Conductivity Values for Soils of the Site*
Hydraulic Conductivity
Depth Inches/Hour
Basinger
Bradenton
Felda
Imraokalee
Manatee
Myakka
Ona
Parkwood
Placid
Pompano
Wabasso
Wauchula
0 - 36"
36 - 72"
0 - 20"
20 - 72"
0 - 36"
36 - 94"
0 - 42"
42 - 54"
54"+
0 - 18"
18"+
0 - 27"
27 - 36"
36 - 50"
0 - 6"
6 - 18"
18 - 72"
0 - 8"
8 - 24"
24"+
0 - 72"
0 - 72"
0 - 27"
27 - 36"
36"+
0 - 30"
30 - 36"
36 - 48"
48"+
15
6
7
0.03
7
0.03
15
2
20
7
2
7
1
4
8
2
5
2
1
5
20
20
12
0.3
0.2
7
0.2
4
0.05
* These values were measured by the Florida Agricultural Experiment
Station for soil types found on the site. These are the laboratory
results of field samples analyzed at saturated test conditions.
Undisturbed soil was sampled directly in the field in southern Florida
on identified soil types and tested in the laboratory. The results
represent the rate at which water will flow through soil layers under
saturated conditions. Uniform soil layers, or horizons were
identified and tested rather than arbitrarily testing at selected
depths.
Personal communication, Luther Hammond, Professor of Soil Physics,
Department of Soil Science, University of Florida, Gainesville,
Florida.
Source: CF APME, 1976.
4-21
-------
are saturated (less than 2,000 psf) (Table 4.1.3-1). These soils are
suitable for roads, low buildings, and other foundations if adequately
drained.
The presumptive bearing value does not consider engineering preparation
of the in situ soils or the type of foundations to be constructed.
Bearing values for prepared foundations in upland areas can be expected
to be greater than 2,000 psf for most footings. The bearing value of
the soils in marshy and swampy areas is very low. Soils with high
organic content will be removed and replaced with suitable soils prior
to construction.
4-22
-------
4.2 REFERENCES: GEOTECHNICAL RESOURCES
Applin, P.L., and Applin, E.R. 1944. Regional Subsurface Stratigraphy
and Structure of Florida and Southern Georgia. Am. Assoc.
Petroleum Geologists Bull., 28(12):1673-1753.
Brady, N.C. 1974. The Nature and Properties of Soils, 8th ed.,
Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc., New York.
Caldwell, R.E. £t_ £l_. 1958. Soil Survey of Manatee County, Florida.
USDA Soil Conservation Service and Florida Agric. Exp. Station.
April 1975.
CF Mining Corporation. 1976a. Application for Development Approval—CF
Mining Corporation Hardee Phosphate Complex, a Development of
Regional Impact. Bartow, Florida. Prepared by Dames & Moore.
CF Mining Corporation. 1976b. Application for Permit for Mineral
Extraction. Bartow, Florida.
Furman, A.L. et^ a±. 1975. Soil Survey of Lake County Area, Florida.
USDA Soil Conservation Service, University of Florida, and Florida
Agric. Exp. Station. April 1975.
Leighty, R.G. et^ irU 1968. Soil Survey of Hillsborough County,
Florida. USDA Soil Conservation Service and Florida Agric. Exp.
Station. September 1958.
Puri, H.S. and Vernon, R.O. 1964. Summary of the Geology of Florida
and a Guidebook to the Classic Exposures. Florida Geological
Survey, Tallahassee, Florida. Special Publication No. 5.
Stewart, H.G., Jr. 1966. Ground Water Resources of Polk County,
Florida. Florida Geological Survey, Tallahassee, Florida. Report
of Investigation No. 44.
Stover, C.W., Reagor, B.C., and Algermissen, S.T. 1979. Seismicity Map
of Florida. USGS Misc. Field Studies, Map MF-1056.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 1978. Draft Areawide
Environmental Impact Statement—Central Florida Phosphate Industry
Areawide Impact Assessment Program. 11 Volumes. Atlanta,
Georgia. EPA 904/9-78-006.
U.S. Soil Conservation Service. 1979. Interim Soil Survey Report,
Maps and Interpretations, Hardee County, Florida.
Vernon, R.O. 1951. Geology of Citrus and Levy Counties, Florida.
Florida Geological Survey, Tallahassee, Florida. Geological
Bulletin No. 33.
4-23
-------
White, W.A. 1970. The Geomorphology of the Florida Peninsula. Bureau
of Geology, Division of Interior Resources, Florida Department of
Natural Resources, Tallahassee, Florida. Geological Bulletin
No. 51.
Wilson, W.E. 1975. Ground Water Resources of DeSoto and Hardee
Counties, Florida. U.S. Geological Survey, Open File
Report 75-428.
4-24
-------
5.0 RADIATION
5.1 THE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT
5.1.1 REGIONAL DESCRIPTION
Man has been subjected to radiation from naturally occurring
radionuclides throughout his existence on earth. The primary nuclides
contributing to this background dose level on a worldwide basis are
potassium-40 and nuclides of the uranium-238 and thorium-232 decay
chains (EPA, 1972). These nuclides are contained in varying
concentrations in the earth's crust and in surface and ground waters.
In Florida, the nuclides of the uranium-238 series are the primary
source of natural radiation.
The phosphate deposits of Florida contain concentrations of uranium, and
its decay products, at levels approximately 30 to 60 times greater than
those found in average soil and rock throughout the rest of the United
States. Uranium is found both in the phosphate matrix and in the
overburden in the region, although concentrations in the matrix are
higher and more uniform. The natural radiation levels experienced at
the surface due to radioactive materials in the phosphate matrix vary
with variations in matrix depth and in overburden composition.
The act of mining and processing phosphate changes the physical form,
location, and concentration of naturally occurring radioactive
materials. Phosphate mining operations have the potential to increase
direct human exposure to naturally occurring radioactivity. The mining,
transportation, and processing of the phosphate matrix and overburden
can increase exposure by releasing some of these naturally occurring
radioactive materials as gases, airborne particulates, or waterborne
effluents.
The Areawide EIS (EPA, 1978) presented a detailed discussion of
radioactivity in the central Florida phosphate area, and its potential
5-1
-------
environmental effects. The conclusion of that study was that the radio-
active isotopes of environmental importance in the study area are those
in the uranium-238 decay series. This conclusion is based upon their
abundance in the matrix and soils, their potential for transport, and
their potential for accumulation in human tissue. A detailed discussion
of the distribution and effects of these isotopes is presented in the
following sections.
5.1.1.1 URANIUM, RAD101SOTOPES AND EXPOSURE
Uranium has two naturally occurring isotopes, uranium-238 and uranium-
235. The uranium-238 series has a longer half-life and accounts for
99.28 percent of the naturally occurring uranium. Almost all naturally
occurring radiation in the phosphate deposits is associated with uranium
and its decay products. Although thorium-232 represents the parent
radionuclide of another naturally occurring series, the concentration of
thorium in Florida formations is very small compared to uranium.
Specific data on thorium-232 in Florida phosphate-associated media are
found in an EPA technical note (EPA, 1975) and in direct correspondence
with several phosphate companies after EPA reconnaissance trips in 1974
(Windham, 1974). These data indicate the uranium/thorium ratio (in
terms of pCi/g) to be about 90 for marketable rock, 30 for clays and 60
for air particulate samples. Any single ratio may have considerable
error since the low values for observed thorium concentrations had high
associated errors (+30 percent). Guimond (1977) shows that thorium-232
radioactivity concentrations in marketable phosphate rock from the study
area are two orders of magnitude less than those of natural uranium.
Habashi (1966), in using scintillation spectrometry to study
radioactivity in phosphate rock, detected no peaks due to thorium or its
decay products in phosphate rock samples from Florida, indicating the
virtual absence of this particular radionuclide in the samples studied.
It is evident that, on an activity basis, thorium contents in the
Florida phosphate areas are nearly two orders of magnitude lower
5-2
-------
than the world average. Thorium is, therefore, not discussed further in
this report.
In the uraniura-238 decay series, decay proceeds from U-238, through 13
intermediate daughter radionuclides until the stable nuclide, Pb-206, is
reached. This decay series and the associated half-lives are shown in
Figure 5.1-1. If the entire series is contained in a sealed
environment, a state of equilibrium is reached for the entire series.
In undisturbed phosphate deposits, such an equilibrium exists at least
for the radionuclides through radium-226. This equilibrium is
maintained only if the materials are undisturbed. Mining and processing
represent significant disturbances to this equilibrium.
The radionuclides in the uranium decay series which are of greatest
importance to human exposure are radium-226, its decay product radon-
222, and the radon daughters polonium-218, lead-214, bismuth-214, and
polonium-214. These six radionuclides are responsible for the majority
of human exposure to radioactivity in phosphate mining and processing.
Radium-226 is of particular interest with respect to human exposure, as
it is chemically similar to calcium and tends to be incorporated in the
same way as calcium in bone and other biological material. Radium's
chemical similarity to calcium is also demonstrated by its tendency to
replace calcium in primary phosphatic apatite. Radium-226 has a
relatively long half-life (1,620 years) and may enter the body through
contaminated drinking water or by breathing suspended particulates
contaminated with radium. EPA (1975) limits the total radium
concentration (Ra-226 plus Ra-228) in drinking water to less than
5.0 pCi/1.
Radium-226 decays to radon-222, an inert gas. The decay equilibrium
from Ra-226 to Rn-222 is largely dependent upon the mobility of gas out
of the soil and into the atmosphere. In natural undisturbed conditions,
most Rn-222 does not escape the matrix strata.
5-3
-------
214
M
1.6 x 10T
-------
Rn-222 and its daughters are of special concern because of the potential
mobility of Rn-222 (as a gas) from the environmental media. Once in the
atmosphere, radon-222 can be inhaled and thus can increase the exposure
to lung tissue. Although not gaseous, the radon daughters enter the
body primarily throughout the inhalation of respirable particles formed
in the decay of gaseous, airborne radon-222. These radon daughters
therefore increase the exposure to lung tissue.
The radionuclides U-238, U-234, Th-230, Ra-226, and Po-210 are all long-
lived radionuclides that could become airborne in dusty operations or by
other mechanisms. If not controlled, these radionuclides have the
potential to be health hazards.
5.1.1.2 RADIOISOTOPES AND PHOSPHATE DEPOSITS
Previous studies (EPA, 1978) have indicated that the uranium present in
central Florida phosphate may have been deposited along with the primary
deposits of the phosphate mineral apatite during the Middle Miocene
epoch. During subsequent reworking of these primary deposits, the
phosphate was concentrated into the secondary phosphate deposits now
found in central Florida. The physical and chemical processes associ-
ated with the reworking of the primary phosphate deposits resulted in
the concentration of both phosphate and uranium. The secondary phos-
phate deposits of central Florida typically exhibit average uranium
concentrations of 0.01 to 0.02 percent (100 to 200 ppm). In contrast,
commercial mining of uranium generally exploits ores with uranium
concentrations 10 to 20 times higher (0.1 to 0.4 percent). Most other
minerals in the phosphatic matrix have maximum concentrations of only a
few parts per billion (EPA, 1978).
The structure and uranium content of a typical cross section in the
central Florida phosphate area is shown in Figure 5.1-2. Representative
radium-226 concentrations for various soils, phosphate materials,
effluents, and ground waters are summarized in Table 5.1.1-1. Radio-
activity levels are typically at minimim levels at the ground surface.
5-5
-------
CF SlD 08/15/85 r
AVERAGE URANIUM CONCENTRATIONS
AS U3Oa IN TYPICAL CENTRAL FLORIDA
PHOSPHATE DISTRICT PROFILE
U O Equivalents
J O
<0.0005%
0.002 to 0.003%
0.01 to 0.03%
0.01 to 0.02%
(Low (High
BPL) BPU
0.002 to 0.015%
< 0.001%
U O Equivalents
3. o
<5 ppm*
20 to 30 ppm*
100 to 300 ppm*
100 to 200 ppm*
(Low (High
BPL) BPL)
20 to 150 ppm*
<10 ppm*
* ppm = Parts Per Million
Figure 5.1-2
AVERAGE URANIUM CONCENTRATIONS
AS UaOa IN TYPICAL CENTRAL FLORIDA
PHOSPHATE DISTRICT PROFILE
SOURCE: EPA. 1978.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
CF INDUSTRIES
Hardee Phosphate Complex
5-6
-------
Table 5.1.1-1.
Representative Radium-226 Concentrations in Central
Florida Phosphate Area Environment
Item
Radium
Concentration
Overburden (excluding leach zone)
Leach zone materials
Matrix
Background soil
Reclaimed soil
Silt
Beach sand
Wet phosphate rock
Sand tailings
Slime particles
Slime decant water (dissolved fraction)
Slime decant water (undissolved fraction)
Mine water
Ground water
Slime-pond water
Leachate from gypsum pond
Gypsum
Phosphate products (undifferentiated)
Phosphoric acid plant effluent after double liming
Slag from calcination processes
Water-table water (mineralized mined areas)
Upper Floridan water (mineralized mined areas)
Lower Floridan water (mineralized mined areas)
Ammonium phosphates
Superphosphates
Phosphoric acid
Animal feed supplements
10 pCi/g
40 pCi/g
40 pCi/g
60 pCi/g
1.5 PCi/g
10-30 pCi/g
1.1 pCi/g
0.9 pCi/g
29-34 pCi/g
42 PCi/g
7.5 PCi/g
6.2-8 pCi/g
45 pCi/g
33-52 pCi/g
1-2 pCi/1
33.5-52 PCi/g
<1.5 pCi/1
<1.5 pCi/1
<2 pCi/1
60-100 pCi/1
21-33 pCi/1
42 pCi/g
1.8-4.5 pCi/1
56 pCi/g
0.55 pCi/1
1.61 pCi/1
1.96 pCi/1
5-6 pCi/g
21 pCi/g
<1 pCi/1
5-6 pCi/g
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1978.
5-7
-------
and increase with depth. Overburden soils are generally mixed layers of
sands and clays exhibiting low concentrations of radionuclides.
The leach zone, also known as the aluminum phosphate zone, consists of a
discontinuous zone of altered, friable phosphatic sandstone and is
considered to be the upper part of the Bone Valley formation. It is the
result of water movement through a calcium phosphate zone, converting it
to aluminum phosphate. As a result, the leach zone contains radio-
isotopes at levels comparable to those which are observed within the
calcium phosphate matrix zone (the lower Bone Valley formation).
Locally, radioisotope levels in the leach zone may be either higher or
lower than the underlying matrix. As the aluminum is considered to be
an undesirable contaminant in the phosphate rock product, the leach zone
is usually not mined, in which case it is removed as overburden
material. However, there are some instances in which the leach zone
will be mined along with the matrix.
The matrix zone (the calcium phosphate zone) consists of apatite,
raontraorillonite and other clays, quartz, chert, and calcite, and is
considered to be the lower part of the Bone Valley formation. After
mining, the matrix is subjected to the beneficiation process to separate
the phosphate rock product, the clay and the sand. Most of the uranium
and uranium daughter products emerge from the beneficiation process in
the phosphate rock product and the discarded clay-sized fraction, with
relatively little radioactive material contained in the sand tailings.
This distribution results because the radionuclides are contained
primarily in the phosphate deposits. About two-thirds of the phosphate
is contained in the rock product, and the remainder is entrained in the
clay portion (Guiraond, 1975).
5.1.1.3 BACKGROUND RADIATION
External gamma radiation levels in Polk County in the vicinity of phos-
phate beds have been measured and found to be on the order of 60 to 115
million-roentgens/year (mR/yr.) (Williams, 1965; Golden, 1960); these
5-8
-------
measurements Cake into account cosmic radiation as well as gamma sources
in the underlying soils. Florida readings agree closely with the
approximately 105 mR/yr. gamma level average for the U.S. (EPA, 1972) of
which about 45 mR/yr. is attributable to cosmic radiation, and the
remainder to terrestrial sources. Both Florida and U.S. average levels
yield doses which are well below the 500 millirems/year (mrem/yr.)
limits for individuals in the general public, and are more than an order
of magnitude below the limits for occupational exposure (NCRP, 1975).
5.1.2 SITE-SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION
To characterize the radiation which exists at the CF site, numerous
site-specific studies were performed. These studies included sampling
and analysis of external gamma radiation, surface materials, subsurface
materials, ground water, and surface water. As part of CF DRI studies
and continued monitoring work, the external gamma radiation has been
measured on Complexes I and II from July 1976 through June 1982. As
part of the EIS monitoring, surface materials were sampled and analyzed
from six locations on Complex II in August 1981. Subsurface materials
were composited over various depths at 6 bore holes on Complex II in
September 1981. Ground water samples have been collected from shallow
aquifer, secondary artesian aquifer, and Floridan Aquifer wells on
Complexes I and II 11 times between February 1976 and September 1981.
Surface water samples were collected quarterly on Complex I from January
1976 through March 1978 and monthly on Complexes I and II from July 1981
through June 1982. Four samples were also collected from mine discharge
waters during EIS monitoring. Each analysis is described in further
detail in the following sections.
5.1.2.1 EXTERNAL GAMMA RADIATION
External gamma radiation has been measured at the CF site using
thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs). A total of 16 TLDs are scattered
throughout the CF property, including 10 located in the Hardee Phosphate
Complex II study area. Dosimeter locations are shown in Figure 5.1-3.
5-9
-------
IKt •>BI*IK>N MOHIIOt (01) -
MOtll: DI-I7100IID IN W»UCMUl»
N° 0|-|»U»0 •«
IOMD IN IHI IIIIB
Figure 5.1-3
LOCATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING STATIONS
SOURCE Domes & Moore. CF DRI. 1979
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
CF INDUSTRIES
Hardee Phosphate Complex fl
-------
In addition, one'TLD was located in Wauchuia and two TLDs were used as
controls and were not deployed in the field.
Maximum external gamma radiation dosages encountered on the CF property
are summarized in Table 5.1.2-1 for the period from third quarter 1976,
through second quarter 1981. For the EIS study period (third quarter
1981, through second quarter 1982), gamma radiation dosages measured at
all 17 TLD stations are summarized in Table 5.1.2-2.
Effective January 1, 1986, CF modified its environmental monitoring
program after generating a 10-year data base. In this revised program,
external gamma radiation measurements have been discontinued.
5.1.2.2 SURFACE MATERIALS
To characterize existing Ra-226 in surface soils and vegetation, one
soil sample and two pasture grass samples were collected at six sites
distributed in the South Pasture. Sample locations are shown in
Figure 5.1-4. These samples were analyzed for Ra-226. In addition,
stream sediment samples were collected at surface water quality stations
WQ-2, WQ-3, WQ-5, WQ-8, and WQ-10. These samples were analyzed for
Ra-226. The results of these analyses are presented in Table 5.1.2-3.
All materials collected were observed to be extremely low to low in
radium-226 content.
5.1.2.3 SUBSURFACE MATERIALS
To characterize the subsurface background radiation at the site, a
series of six cores were drilled at representative locations over the
undisturbed South Pasture Mine site (see Figure 5.1-4). These locations
were selected in areas which have typical subsurface characteristics
(i.e., soil types, matrix types, and overburden thickness).
Three to five composite samples from each core were collected from
various depths from the land surface to the matrix. Typically,
composite sample fractions were collected from the overburden, leach
zone, upper matrix and lower matrix. These samples were analyzed for
radium-226. The results of this sampling and analysis program are
summarized in Table 5.1.2-4.
5-11
-------
Table 5.1.2-1. Maximum External Gamma Radiation Dosage Encountered on
CF Property
Dosage, Millirems*
Quarter
1
2
3
4
1976 1977
— 21
26
21 26
31 29
1978
—
29
(t)
25
1979
23
21
13
21
1980
19
39
(t)
33
1981
16
18
* Above data has been adjusted for shipping radiation and indicates
yearly radiation dosage rate.
T Unable to adjust for shipping radiation during this quarter.
Source: CF Industries, 1982.
5-12
-------
Table 5.1.2-2.
External Gaima Radiation Measured by TLDs on CF Property From Third
Quarter 1981 Through Second Quarter 1982
Station
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17*
Maximum
Yearly
Radiation
.
3rd Quarter
(6/22/81 to
10/09/81)
2.6
5.2
4.8
3.0
3.1
2.7
2.9
2.8
2.4
3.6
5.1
3.9
3.9
4.8
4.3
6.4
1.9
21
External Garana Radiation
1981
4th Quarter
(9/21/81 to
1/13/82)
6.0
6.8
3.9
6.3
5.0
3.8
8.1
6.1
10.6
6.5
4.9
7.3
7.0
12.3
9.3
10.5
5.8
39
(MREM/Uhit Period)
1982
1st Quarter
(12/21/81 to
4/6/82)
4.3
3.6
5.2
3.2
7.3
3.1
3.2
4.6
9.4
7.5
4.0
1.8
5.7
9.1
9.0
4.8
10.4
32
2nd Quarter
(3/22/82 to
7/12/82)
4.5
4.9
5.1
3.9
1.8
3.0
1.5
3.9
4.3
4.7
2.2
2.8
5.2
10.3
5.3
2.5
4.7
33
Dosage Rate
^Located in Wauchula.
Above data have been adjusted for shipping radiation.
Source: CF Industries, 1982.
5-13
-------
CO
VtHATCC Ctl
_L
POLK CO.
MtKOCf CO
LEGEND:
C8-COBE BORINGS COMPOSITED OVER VARIOUS DEPTHS
SB 30V'SOIL BOniNGS IN SAND TAILINGS
SB J01 -SOIL BORINGS IN OVERBURDEN CAP
SB 10I/40I-SOIL BORINGS IN SAND/CLAY MIX
« -PASTURE GRASS SAMPLES 12 AT IACH STATION!
AND SOIL SAMPLE)
--
3:5
1
LT
xS-3
CB2
HAROEE
PHOSPHATE
COMPLEX I
(NORTH PASTURE)
x S-4
CB1
S-1
x
1
xS-2
HARDEE PHOSPHATE
COMPLEX II |
(SOUTH PASTURE)
CB3
\
Figure 5.1-4
LOCATIONS OF CORE BORINGS, SOILS SAMPLES AND
PASTURE GRASS SAMPLES COLLECTED ON CF PROPERTY
SOURCE. ESE. 1982.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
CF INDUSTRIES
Hardee Phosphate Cpmplex II
-------
Table 5.1.2-3. Radium-226 Analyses of Top Soil, Pasture Grass Samples,
and Stream Sediments Collected from the CF Industries
Property
Radium-226 Content
(Picocuries per gram)
Top Soil
Station
S-l 0.6
S-2 0.4
S-3 0.3
S-4 0.2
S-5 0.7
S-6 0.8
WQ-2
WQ-3
WQ-5
WQ-8
WQ-10
Pasture Grass Stream
Sample #1 Sample #2 Sediments
0.2 0.2 — *
0.2 0.04
0.3 0.1
0.1 0.04
0.06 0.2
0.03 0.09
0.1
0.4
2.0
3.0
0.2
(See Figure 5.1-3 for locations of stream sediment stations.)
(See Figure 5.1-4 for locations of top soil and pasture grass stations.)
*— Indicates analysis not applicable.
Source: ESE, 1982.
5-15
-------
Table 5.1.2-4. Radium-226 Analyses of Core Samples Collected From the
CF Industries Property
Proposed Site
Station
CBl
CB2
CBS
CB4
CB5
Sample #
CB 101
CB 102
CB 103
CB 201
CB 202
CB 203
CB 204
CB 301
CB 302
CB 303
CB 304
CB 401
CB 402
CB 403
CB 404
CB 501
CB 502
CB 503
CB 504
(Complex II) Radium-226 Content
Description (Picocuries per gram)
Composite Overburden
(O1 to 7.5')
Leached Zone
(12. 5' to 14/5')
Matrix
(18' to 31')
Composite Overburden
(O1 to 6')
Composite Overburden
(61 to 13.5')
Leached Zone
(21. 5' to 27')
Matrix
(31' to 49')
Composite Overburden
(O1 to 7.5')
Leached Zone
(9.51 to 12')
Upper Matrix
(15' to 19')
Lower Matrix
(19' to 40')
Composite Overburden
(O1 to 7.5')
Leached Zone
(12f to 16')
Upper Matrix
(161 to 22. 5')
Lower Matrix
(25* to 50')
Composite Overburden
(O1 to 6.5')
Composite Overburden
(6.-51 to 10.5')
Leached Zone and Upper Matrix
(10.5' to 2.8')
Lower Matrix
(28' to 50')
1
17
15
2
9
23
23
0.4
23
13
10
0.4
7
37
6
2
38
16
6
5-16
-------
Table 5.1.2-4. Radium-226 Analyses of Core Samples Collected From the
CF Industries Property (Continued, Page 2 of 2)
Proposed
Station
CB6
Reclaimed
SB1
SB2
SB3
SB4
Site
Sample #
CB 601
CB 602
CB 603
CB 604
Areas Complex
SB 101
SB 201
SB 301
SB 401
(Complex II)
Description
Composite Overburden
(0' to 7.5')
Leach Zone
(7. 5' to 16')
Upper Matrix
(20* to 39')
Lower Matrix
(39' to 51.5')
I
Sand /Clay Mix
(O1 to D
Overburden Cap
(O1 to 4.8')
Sand Tailings
(0' to 4')
Sand /Clay Mix
(O1 to 1')
Radiura-226 Content
(Picocuries per gram)
0.8
43
7
19
18
5
19
31
(See Figure 5.1-4 for location of sampling stations.)
Source: ESE, 1982.
5-17
-------
In addition, to assist in characterization of the expected radiation
levels after reclamation, a series of four cores, varying from 1 to
4.8 feet deep, were collected from reclamation materials or reclaimed
areas at the existing North Mine. Reclaimed materials sampled included
sand/clay mix, sand tailings, and an overburden cap. Cores were
observed to be relatively homogeneous and, therefore, only one composite
sample from the entire core depth was collected. These samples were
analyzed for radium-226 and the results are presented in Table 5.1.2-4.
At all six core sample locations on Complex II, the upper portions of
the overburden (typically 0 to 6 feet in depth) were observed to have
low «2 pCi/g) radium-226 concentrations. Below that depth, higher
radium-226 concentrations were observed in the deeper overburden
material. Maximum radium-226 concentrations were typically observed in
the leach zone and in the upper portions of the matrix. The observed
concentrations and depth of radium-226 generally agreed with other
profile data collected elsewhere in central Florida's phosphate area.
In the reclaimed areas, the observed radium-226 concentrations
corresponded with the origin and type of material sampled. The over-
burden cap was observed to have the lowest and the sand/clay mix to have
the highest concentration.
5.1.2.4 GROUND WATER
To characterize the existing Ra-226 in the shallow aquifer, secondary
artesian aquifer, and Floridan Aquifer, samples were collected and
analyzed routinely starting in February 1976. Samples were collected
from ten shallow aquifer wells during February 1976, and from three
secondary artesian wells and five Floridan Aquifer wells in May 1976.
Sampling and analysis on seven shallow aquifer wells (SA-1 through SA-4,
SA-6, SA-8, and SA-17) and three secondary artesian wells (UF-4, UF-5,
UF-6) and five Floridan Aquifer wells (LF-4, LF-5, LF-6, PTW, and DF)
was continued semi-annually through 1978 and was performed annually
(April) during 1979, 1980, and 1981.
5-18
-------
As part of the EIS monitoring program, shallow aquifer well SA-17,
secondary artesian aquifer well UF4, and Floridan Aquifer well LF4 were
sampled in September 1981 and analyzed for Ra-226 and gross alpha. The
results of this extensive ground water sampling and analysis program are
summarized in Table 5.1.2-5.
Shallow aquifer Ra-226 concentrations were observed to be low (almost
always less than 1 pCi/1) with some spatial and substantial temporal
variation. Waters of the secondary artesian aquifer were observed to
have the highest Ra-226 of the three aquifers. While some spatial
variation was observed, the secondary artesian aquifer was less
temporally variable. In general, the Floridan Aquifer was observed to
be lower in Ra-226 as compared to the secondary artesian aquifer;
however, on the western portion of the property, there appears to be
little difference in Ra-226 levels. Specifically, the results of Ra-226
analyses at UF-4 and LF-4 show little difference, which indicates a good
hydraulic connection between the secondary artesian and Floridan Aquifer
in this area of the site.
5.1.2.5 SURFACE WATER
To characterize the Ra-226 in surface water environment of the CF site,
various sampling and analysis programs have been conducted. Grab
samples were collected for Ra-226 analysis at surface water quality
stations WQ-1 through WQ-7 on a quarterly basis during 1976 and 1977,
and semi-annually during 1978 (see Figure 5.1-4 for station locations).
The results of these studies are summarized in Table 5.1.2-6.
As part of the EIS monitoring, more extensive monitoring for Ra-226 and
gross alpha was conducted. Samples were collected during July through
September 1981 at surface water quality stations W}-1 through WQ-5 and
WQ-7 through WQ-12. In addition, stations WQ-13 and WQ-14 were sampled
during September 1981. During October 1981 through June 1982, stations
WQ-1 through 5, 7, 8, 10, 13, and 14 were sampled. In addition, samples
representative of existing mine discharge were collected during August,
September, and October 1981; February 1982; and April 1982. All samples
were analyzed for Ra-226 and gross alpha. The results of these analyses
are summarized in Tables 5.1.2-7 and 5,1.2-8.
5-19
-------
Table 5.1.2-5.
Suimary of Ground Water Ra-226 and Averse Gross Alpha Data for the CF Site
Ln
I
S3
o
tfell to.
2/76
1776
10/76
Radiun-226, pCi/1
4/77
10/77
4/78
10/78
4/79
4/80 9/81*
Gross Alpha
(pCi/1)
9/81*
Shallow Aquifer
SA-1
SA-2
SA-3
SA-4
SA-6
SA-8
SA-11
SA-14
SA-16
SA-17
Secondary
UF-4
UF-5
UF-6
0.77
0.34
0.44
0.27
0.37
0.30
0.34
0.51
0.34
0.29
Artesian
— *
—
—
—
—
7.22
9.36
2.27
0.15
0.19
0.04
0.06
0.36
0.01
_
__
0.11
6.37
7.83
2.26
0.07
0.17
0.03
0.06
0.46
0.04
-^
j- -
0.04
6.80
6.15
2.62
0.08
0.17
0.02
0.02
0.28
0.02
^ —
0.12
5.61
8.13
1.96
0.08
0.17
0.05
0.04
0.31
0.01
0.08
6.08
7.00
2.04
0.03
0.22
0.05
0.9
0.41
0.01
0.15
6.58
8.74
1.99
0.04
0.13
0.01
0.01
0.07
0.13
4.61
5.82
1.69
0.88 —
0.52 —
0.30 —
0.16 —
0.31 —
1.35 -
~~ -™_i
0.22 0.7
6.51 7.0
8.72 —
1.23 —
—
—
^™
13.7
27.9
Floridan Aquifer
LF-1
1P-4
1P-5
LF-6
PIW
DF
Bf-B
W-A
—
-1-
_
5.86
1.59
1.56
0.75
0.70
~—
6.49
2.08
1.68
0.54
1.49
—
6.38
1.82
1.97
1.70
1.34
—
6.23
1.97
1.38
1.08
1.19
—
6.19
2.15
1.65
2.20
0.66
-.-,
6.08
1.67
1.19
0.80
0.94
1.13
3.43
1.04
0.58
0.35
0.16
1.02
2.89 8.0
1.51 —
1.06 —
0.86 —
0.68 —
8.4
— j
~
*ESE monitoring for EIS.
Sources: CF Data, 1976-1981.
ESE, 1982.
-------
Table 5.1.2-6. Sunnary of Radiun-226 Concentration in Surface Water, January 1976 Through March 1981
Ul
I
Radimrt26, pCi/1
Station
«H
WQ-2
WQ-3
WH
WQ-5
HQ-6
WQ-7
1/76
0.27
0.44
0.62
0.41
0.23
0.37
0.29
7/76
0.76
0.31
0.15
0.53
0.15
0.09
0.17
9/76 11/76 1/77
0.07 0.41 0.16
0.12 0.25 0.18
0.19 0.39 0.09
0.45 0.30 0.31
0.19 — —
0.05 0.13 0.07
0.28 0.30 0.19
3/77 7/77
0.22 0.03
0.15 0.20
0.11 0.17
0.41 —
— —
0.04 0.09
0.24 0.33
9/77
0.04
0.14
0.59
0.31
0.08
0.31
0.19
11/77 1/78
0.47 0.19
0.22 0.16
0.20 0.16
0.37 0.37
— 0.17
0.10 0.09
0.34 0.17
3/78
0.12
0.17
0.20
0.33
0.16
0.08
0.13
Source: CF, 1981.
-------
Table 5.1.2-7. Suonary of Radiun-226 Concentration in Surface tfater FVon July 1981 Through Jme
1982
ro
to
Station
WQ-1
LTW5
"V^t
WQ-3
WH
WQ-5
«h7
WH
WQ-9
WHO
WQ-11
WQ-12
WQ-13
WQ-14
MDW-1
MDW-2
7/81
0.6
2.0
0.5
1.0
0.3
0.5
2.0
0.2
0.2
1.0
0.0
—
—
—
••»
sTai 9/81
0.8 0.4
0.9 0.2
0.9 <0.1
2.0 <0.1
1.0 <0.1
0.6 0.3
1.0 <0.1
0.2 OJ
0.3 0.1
0.1 —
2.0 0.2
— 1.0
— 0.4
3.0 <0.1
— 3.0
10/81
0.2
0.4
0.5
0.6
—
0.3
0.6
—
0.3
—
—
0.3
0.3
2.0
0.8
Radiun-226 (p/Ci/1)
11/81
0.2
0.1
0.2
0.5
0.3
0.6
0.4
—
0.1
—
—
0.4
0.6
—
—
12/81
0.3
0.1
0.1
0.8
0.1
0.2
0.4
—
—
—
—
0.1
0.2
—
—
1/82
0.3
0.2
0.1
0.4
0.4
0.3
0.3
—
—
—
—
0.4
0.2
—
—
2/82
0.2
0.3
0.4
1.0
0.7
0.4
1.0
—
—
—
—
0.4
0.5
3.0
2.0
3/82
0.5
0.2
0.3
0.9
0.3
0.4
0.3
—
1.0
—
—
0.4
0.4
—
—
4/82
0.4
0.2
0.4
0,7
0.1
0.3
0.3
—
0.5
—
—
0.3
0.2
1.0
0.6
5/82
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.5
0.3
0.2
0.6
—
0.7
—
—
0.2
<0.1
—
—
6/82
0.2
0.1
0.2
0.2
0.1
0.1
0.1
—
0.1
—
—
0.2
0.3
—
—
Mean
0.4
0.4
0.3
0.8
0.4
0.3
0.5
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.9
0.4
0.3 <
2.0 <
2.0
Min. Max.
0.2 0.8
<0.1 2.0
<0.1 0.9
<0.1 2.0
<0.1 1.0
<0.1 0.6
<0.1 2.0
0.2 0.3
0.1 1.0
0.1 1.0
0.2 2.0
0.1 1.0
'0.1 0.6
:o.i 3.0
0.6 3.0
S*
0.2
0.5
0.2
0.5
0.4
0.2
0.4
0.06
0.4
0.7
1.0
0.3
0.2
1.0
1.0
nt
13
14
13
12
13
13
13
3
9
2
2
10
10
5
5
— Indicates no sanple collected.
* Standard Deviation.
t Nraber of samples collected.
Source: ESE, 1982.
-------
Tdble 5.1.2-8. Sunnary of Gross Alpha Concentration in Surface Water From July 1981 Through June 1982
I
to
Station 7/81
WH 1.0
HQ-2 <1.4
WQ-3 <0.4
WQ-4 <2.2
WQ-5 <1.4
HQ-7 <0.8
WQ-8 3.4
WQ-9 <1.3
WQ-10 <2.5
HQ-11 <1.3
WQ-12 —
HQ-13 —
WQ-14 —
MDW-1 —
MDW-2 —
8/81
3.7
<2.8
2.3
2.5
9.8
<2.9
4.8
4.6
4.4
2.6
4.9
—
—
10.0
—
9/81
2.0
<2.0
<2.0
2.0
<2.0
<0.6
2.0
2.0
<2.0
—
3.0
<2.0
<0.7
6.0
5.0
Gross Alpha (pCi/1)
10/81 11/81 12/81 1/82 2/82 3/82 4/82
2.0 3.0 4.0 3.0 <2.0 <1.9 3.9
2.0 O.O O.O O.O <2.0 2.8 <2.5
0.0 <0.7 O.O O.O O.O <2.1 <2.1
4.0 O.O O.O O.O 4.0 2.8 2.3
— <1.0 O.O O.O O.O 1.3 <2.2
<2.0 <2.0 O.O <3.0 <1.0 0.7 O.O
3.0 <2.0 3.0 O.O <2.0 <1.2 <1.6
— — — — — — —
2.0 <2.0 — — — 3.0 1.6
— — — — — " — —
— — — — — — —
<0.7 <2.0 O.O 3.0 1.0 <0.9 2.5
2.0 O.O O.O O.O <2.0 <1.7 1.2
11.0 - - - 12.0 - 5.8
9.0 — — — 7.0 — 4.5
5/82 6/82 Mean
1.3 3.6 2.3
1.6 <2.5 1.4
<1.7 2.4 1.3
2.1 2.4 2.2
0.9 2.2 2.0
1.1 1.8 1.2
1.5 <1.5 1.9
— — 2.2
2.0 <1.8 1.8
— — 1.6
— — 4.1
1.4 2.8 1.6
1.2 4.5 1.6
— — 10.1
— — 6.2
Min. Max.
<1.8 3.9
<1.4 2.8
<0.4 2.4
<1.8 3.9
<1.1 9.8
<0.6 3.6
<1.2 4.8
<1.3 4.6
<1.5 4.4
<1.3 2.6
3.3 4.9
<0.7 3.0
<0.7 4.5
6.2 12.4
4.5 9.2
S*
1.2
0.5
0.7
0.9
2.5
0.9
1.3
2.1
1.2
1.4
1.1
0.9
1.1
2.4
2.0
nt
13
14
13
13
13
13
13
3
9
2
2
10
10
5
5
— Indicates no sample collected.
* Standard Deviation.
t Nunber of samples collected.
Source: ESE, 1982.
-------
The FDER water quality standard for total radium (Ra-226 plus Ra-228) is
5 pCi/1. In evaluating the observed Ra-226 levels with respect to this
standard, it is important to consider the presence {or potential
presence) of Ra-228. Radium-228 is first decay daughter in the
thoriu..i-232 decay series, and is not associated with the previously
discussed U-238 decay series. Therefore, in order for Ra-228 to be
present in significant quantities, Th-232 must be present in significant
quantities.
Ln general, on an activity basis (pCi/g to pCi/g), the radioactivity of
U-238 and Th-232 in many soils and rocks of the world is approximately a
1:1 ratio. However, Th-232 content of Florida phosphate associated
media has been reported by EPA (1975) and Windham (1974). These data
indicate that uranium/thorium ratio, on an activity basis (pCi/g to
pCi/g), is about 90 for marketable rock and 30 for clays. Based upon
these data, it is apparent that uranium content of the material of the
phosphate deposits may be as much as 100 times greater than the thorium
content.
Similarly, the decay daughters of U-238 and Th-232, Ra-226 and Ra-228,
respectively, will follow the same trends. On an activity basis, Ra-226
may exceed Ra-228 by as much as a factor of 100. In other terms, if
Ra-226 were observed at the 5 pCi/1 level in the site area, Ra-228 would
be present only at approximately 0.05 pCi/1. This is well below the
detection limit of 1 pCi/1 +_ 20 percent for Ra-228 using the USGS
analytical procedures (R-l142-76).
Based upon this analysis, Ra-226 levels observed in the surface water
are compared directly with the total radium standard of 5 pCi/1. All
surface water and mine discharge Ra-226 measurements were observed to be
less than 5 pCi/1. All surface water and mine discharge concentrations
for gross alpha were observed to be less than the FDER water quality
standard of 15 pCi/1.
5-24
-------
5.2 REFERENCES: RADIATION
Bolch, W.E. 1979. Environmental Impact Statement, Estech General
Chemicals Corporation, Duette Mine, Manatee County, Florida;
Resource Document: Radiation. EPA 904/9-79-0449.
CF Industries. 1976-1982. Environmental Monitoring Reports Produced
Quarterly for Hardee County Engineering Department.
CF Mining Corporation. 1976. Application for Development Aoproval—CF
Mining Corporation Hardee Phosphate Complex, a Development of
Regional Impact. Volume I. Bartow, Florida. Prepared by Dames &
Moore.
Environmental Science and Engineering, Inc. 1981-1982. Data Collection
and Analyses for CF Industries Environmental Impact Statement.
Gainesville, Florida.
Golden, J.C., Jr. 1968. Natural Background Radiation Levels in
Florida, Sadia Corporation, Document SC-RR-68-196.
Guimond, R.J. 1977. The Radiological Aspects of Fertilizer
Utilization. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of
Radiation Programs, Washington, D.C.
Habashi, F. 1966. Radioactivity in Phosphate Rock. In: Economic
Geology, pp. 402-407. Scientific Communications, 61.
National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements. 1975.
Natural Background Radiation in the United States. NCRP Report
No. 34, p. 15.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Radiation Programs.
1972. Natural Radiation Exposure in the United States.
Washington, D.C.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Radiation Programs.
1975. Preprint: Preliminary Findings Radon Daughter Levels in
Structures Constructed on Reclaimed Florida Phosphate Land.
Washington, D.C.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 1978. Draft Areawide
Environmental Impact Statement—Central Florida Phosphate Industry
Areawide Impact Assessment Program. 11 Volumes. Atlanta, Georgia.
EPA 904/9-78-006.
U.S. Geological Survey. 1978. Water Resources Data for Florida, Volume
3A-2, Southwest Florida Surface Water Quality, Water Year 1978.
5-25
-------
U.S. Soil Conservation Service. 1979. Interim Soil Survey Report, Maps
and Interpretations, Hardee County, Florida.
Vernon, R.O. 1951. Geology of Citrus and Levy Counties, Florida.
Florida Geological Survey, Tallahassee, Florida. Geological
Bulletin No. 33.
Williams, E.G., Golden, J.C., Jr., Roessler, C.E., and Clark, IJ. 1965.
Background Radiation in Florida. Florida State Board of Health,
Tallahassee, Florida.
Windham, S.T. 1974. Correspondence to Various Phosphate Companies
Containing Results of Sampling Program in Mid-1974. U.S. Environ-
mental Protection Agency, Eastern Environmental Radiation Facility,
Montgomery, Alabama.
5-26
-------
6.0 GROUND WATER
6.1 THE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT
6.1.1 REGIONAL DESCRIPTION—QUANTITY
The lithologic units in the Hardee County area are summarized in
Table 6.1.1-1. Although these units vary widely in their water-bearing
characteristics, they can be grouped into three major hydrogeologic
aquifers:
1. Shallow or water table aquifer,
2. The secondary artesian aquifer, and
3. The Floridan Aquifer.
In general, the shallow aquifer system is highly variable, but is
typically capable of yielding small quantities of water; therefore the
shallow aquifer system is utilized mostly for domestic supplies or other
low-volume uses. The secondary artesian aquifer is locally capable of
yielding relatively large quantities of water. However, the major water
source in the Hardee County area is the Floridan Aquifer. The following
discussion of regional ground water hydrology focuses on the Floridan
Aquifer.
The Floridan Aquifer is comprised of primarily tertiary limestones and
dolomites. Although limestone units vary widely in hydrogeologic
properties, typically they are capable of producing large quantities of
water. Yields of 5,000 gallons per minute (gpm) are common. However,
due to the presence of various lower permeability rocks and clays
separating the limestone units, yield and quality can vary significantly
with depth and location.
Recharge to the Floridan Aquifer occurs from rainfall, surface water, or
shallow aquifer waters in areas with one of three distinct features:
1. Areas where no confining layer is present and where the aquifer
is at or near land surface, or
6-1
-------
Table 6.1.1-1. Qeohydrologic Characteristics of the Lithological Units
N)
Stratigraphic
System Series Unit
Quarternary Decent and Ihdiffer-
Pleistocene entiated
sands and
clays
Pliocene Caloosa-
hatcheeMarl
Bone Valley
Formation
Tertiary Miocene Hawthorn
Formation
Miocene Tampa
Limestone
Thickness
LLthology (ft)
Sand, gravel, clay 0-170
shell, and marl
Marl, sand, gravel, 0-50
shell, phosphate, and
bone
Riosphate, sand, 0-200
clay, gravel and
bone
Clay, marl, 150-370
phosphate, silt,
shell, and
limestone
Limestone, gray, 125-235
white, and tan,
hard and dense,
cherty, fbssil-
iferous, phosphatic,
silicified in part.
Porosity due primar-
ily to solution
cavities
Water-Bearing Well
Characteristics Construction
Surficial deposits,
yield water to shallow
walls, a few to several
tens of gallons
Yields water to shallow
wells
Yields small to moderate
quantities of water
to shallow walls
Sand, shell, limestone
beds are source of water.
The waters are under
artesian pressure and
are less mineralized
than older beds. Yields
small quantities of water,
tens of gallons per
minute
Yields large quantities
of artesian waters.
Several hundreds of
gallons per minute
Open end,
open hole,
wall point,
screen,
slotted
casing
Open
hole
Open
hole
Open hole
or cased
off
1
Open hole
or cased
off
Common Use,
Ranarks
Domestic,
agricul-
tural
Domestic
Domestic
High radio-
activity on
ganma-ray
logs
Domestic ,
stock,
agricul-
tural,
public
supply
Domestic,
stock,
agricul-
tural,
public
supply
rr ^
-------
Table 6.1.1-1. Geohydrologic Characteristics of the Litholcgical Units (Cbntinued, Page 2 of 2)
System Series
Oligocene
Eocene
Stratigraphic Thickness
Ihit Lithology (ft)
Suwannee
Limestone
Ocala
Limestone,
soft,
granular,
coquina
Limestone, white- to- 100-350
tan, soft-to-hard,
granular, porous,
oalitic,
fossil iferous
limestone, white-to- 260-400
tan, chalky, soft,
granular coquinoid,
dense layered with
brown crystalline
dolonite . Foss il i-
ferous Lepidocyclina
earner ina
Water-Bear ing Well Comon Use,
Characteristics Construction Ranarks
Artesian but mineralized; Open
yields moderate anoints hole
of water, more than 800,
as much as 2,500 gallons
per minute
Generally most productive Open
format ion of aquifer hole
Agricul-
tural,
public
supply,
Industrial
Agricul-
tural,
public
supply,
industrial
Avon Park Limestone, crean-to- 200-800
Limestone tan and brown, soft-
to-hard, granular,
in part crystalline
and dolonitk. Very
porous. Water high
in mineral content.
Distinctive fossil
Dictyoconus cookei
Principal source of water Open
where overlying limestone hole
is thin or absent
Agricul-
tural,
industrial,
public
supply
Sources: String field, 1966.
Peek, 1958.
Wilson, 1977.
-------
2. Areas where the Hawthorn confining layer is breached by
sinkholes, or
3. Areas where there is a significant water level gradient from
the shallow aquifer to the level of the Floridan Aquifer.
The Floridan Aquifer discharges water in primarily three ways:
1. Discharge from wells,
2. Springs and seeps,and
3. Upward leakage in areas where the potentiometrie surface of the
Floridan Aquifer is higher than the shallow aquifer.
The potentioraetric surface of the Floridan Aquifer varies seasonally
depending upon the rate at which it is being recharged and discharged.
Water levels in the Floridan Aquifer usually reach their lowest near the
end of April, the end of the dry season. The water levels generally
rise from May through September and then usually remain stable through
October. This rise corresponds with the onset of summer rains. With
the cessation of rainfall in October, the Floridan Aquifer begins a
sharp decline which ends in May. The timing and extent of these
seasonal fluctuations in water levels vary from year to year due to
variations in the rate of recharge (due to rainfall) and in pumping
rates from production wells.
The seasonal fluctuations of the potentiometric surface in a USGS well
in Hardee County is presented in Figure 6.1-1. The hydrograph from this
USGS well shows seasonal fluctuations as high as 42 feet (between
September 1974 and May 1975). In general, there is an increase in the
amplitude of the drawdown and recovery with time. According to EPA
(1978), this increase is attributed to increases in irrigation pumpage
since industrial use generally does not show seasonal fluctuations. The
spatial variation of wet and dry season water levels is shown for the
Hardee County area in Figures 6.1-2 and 6.1-3. Figure 6.1-2 presents
the potentiometric water level of the Floridan Aquifer in May, a dry
6-4
-------
82
76
^ 70
"o>
I 64
«a
0)
1/1
-------
KEY:
— 20— EQUAL ELEVATION
CONTOUR OF FLORIDAN
AQUIFER POTENTIOMETRIC
SURFACE IN FEET'ABOVE
MEAN SEA LEVEL
Figure 6.1-2
POTENTIOMETRIC SURFACE OF FLORIDAN AQUIFER, MAY 1981
SOURCE: YOBBI, WOODHAM, AND SCHINER, 1981.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
CF INDUSTRIES
Hardee Phosphate Complex
-------
":;..~S:
KEY:
— 20— EQUAL ELEVATION
CONTOUR OF FLORIDAN
AQUIFER POTENTIOMETRIC
SURFACE IN FEET ABOVE
MEAN SEA LEVEL
Figure 6.1-3
POTENTIOMETRIC SURFACE OF FLORIDAN AQUIFER,
SEPTEMBER 1981
SOURCE: YOBBI, WOODHAM AND SCHINER, 1981
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
CF INDUSTRIES
Hardee Phosphate Complex
-------
season month; Figure 6.1-3 presents the level in September, a wet season
month. In May 1981, the potentiometric surface of the Floridan Aquifer
in the Hardee County area varied from 61 feet mean sea level (MSL) in
the northeast corner of the county to 6 feet MSL in the southwest
portion of the county. This lowering of the potentiometric surface is
attributed to deep aquifer pumping for agricultural use and citrus
processing in lower Hillsborough County, according to Southwest Florida
Water Management District personnel (1982).
In September 1981, after the heavy rains of the summer, the potentio-
metric surface had risen to 82 feet MSL in the northeast corner of
Hardee County and to 37 feet MSL in the southwest corner of the county.
This represents an increase between 21 feet and 31 feet in the
potentiometric surface in the Floridan Aquifer from May to September.
During the dry season, the major trend is generally the movement of the
low water level contours inland and an increase in areas of major cones
of depression (due to pumpage).
6.1.2 SITE-SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION—QUANTITY
Ground water is present to some degree in each of the geologic forma-
tions underlying the CF site in northwestern Hardee County. Some of the
formations, however, are capable of yielding significantly larger
amounts of water than others. There are two minor aquifers within the
upper 375 feet of sediment at the site: the shallow aquifer consisting
of undifferentiated clastic material; and, the secondary artesian
aquifer which is comprised of limestone material within the Miocene
Hawthorn Formation. These two aquifers are separated by a confining bed
of less permeable material which tends to retard movement of water-
between the aquifers.
At depths between about AGO feet and 1,700 feet in the site area, there
are several geologic formations which appear to function as a single
hydrologic unit. This rock interval which consists of limestone and
6-8
-------
dolomite beds of the Tampa, Suwannee, Ocala, Avon Park, and Lake City
formations, constitutes the Floridan Aquifer. The Floridan Aquifer is
the principal source of large ground water supplies throughout the
region. The stratigraphic relationships of aquifers and confining beds
at the CF site is summarized in Figure 6.1-4. A detailed explanation of
the chart and the logs shown therein is contained in the Consumptive Use
Application Supporting Report (CF Industries, Inc., 1975).
Extensive ground water data have been collected on the CF property.
These data were collected in 1975 by Dames and Moore for the Application
for Development Approval/Development of Regional Impact (ADA/DRl) and
Consumptive Use Permit (CUP), and since 1976 to present by CF Industries
for monitoring reports submitted to Hardee County. During the DRI and
CUP investigations, 28 wells of varying depths were installed in the
shallow, secondary artesian and Floridan Aquifers. These include: a
Deep Floridan Test Well (DF), a production test well (PTW), three wells
in the Floridan Aquifer (LF), five wells in the secondary artesian
aquifer (UF), and 18 shallow aquifer (SA) wells. Three wells were later
added in the Floridan Aquifer, increasing the total to 31 wells. Since
installation in late 1975 and early 1976, 16 wells have been monitored
continuously and levels in the remaining wells have been measured
monthly. Included in the previous on-site investigations was a total of
28 pump tests: 18 on the shallow aquifer, 2 tests on the secondary
artesian, and 8 tests on the Floridan Aquifer. The locations of the
on-sitj wells are presented in Figure 6.1-5.
Because of the large volume of data collected and available for review,
investigations for this EIS were limited to drilling 6 corings to a
depth of 50 feet during the collection of samples for radiation
analyses. A geologic cross-section was prepared from the drilling on
the study area and is presented in Section 4: Geotechnical.
6-9
-------
1
c
200
400
(VI
•»•
J
to
~ 600
UJ
3
u.
g
-------
POLK CO.
HARDCE CO.
HILLSBOROUCH CO
WATCH UOHITOHINC STATION (WOI
(HI
• MONITORING w
SA • SHALLOW AOUIffH
ur = sccOHOAUr ARTCSIAN
fLOHlDAN AOUIFCH
WCL I Ct VST tit HCL UDCS
PRODUCTION TCST ITfLL IfTWI
DCtf FLORIOAH TCST WELL (DF)
Lf-l. Lf-iA, Lr-3. UF-l. UF-S. SA-14
Figure 6.1 -5
LOCATION OF HYDROLOGIC DATA COLLECTION STATIONS
SOURCE: CF MINING CORPORATION, 1976
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
CF INDUSTRIES
Hardee Phosphate Complex II
-------
The CF property (referred to as the site) consists of Complex 1 (the
north tract of land) and Complex II (the southern area). Complex I is
CF's existing mine, whereas Complex II (referred to as the study area)
is the property being studied for this E1S. The descriptions of the
site-specific aquifer systems presented in this section are based on
data collected by Dames and Moore during the previous studies, by CF
during continued monitoring, and by ESE during core sampling and certain
investigations conducted on Complex I in its undisturbed state.
6.1.2.1 SHALLOW AQUIFER
The shallow aquifer underlies the site area to depths ranging from 5 to
40 feet. Average thickness is about 30 feet. The material comprising
the aquifer is dominantly fine sand and clay with some coarse sand,
gravel and shell material. The shallow aquifer is underlain by lime-
stone beds of the Hawthorn Formation in some places and by phosphate
matrix in others. According to the Consumptive Use Application
Supporting Report (CF Industries, 1975), three wells on Complex II tap
the shallow aquifer; all three wells are for domestic supply.
During pump tests of the 18 shallow wells by Dames and Moore, pumping
rates ranged from less than 2 gallons per minute to more than 50 gallons
per minute. Specific capacities, which are a function of aquifer
characteristics and well efficiencies, varied from less than 0.1 to
about 3.6 gallons per minute per foot of drawdown. Transmissivities,
calculated from drawdown, recovery, and specific capacity data, ranged
from less than 200 to about 20,000 gallons per day per foot and averaged
about 3,000.
Storage coefficients calculated from drawdown data indicate that the
shallow aquifer varies from water-table to artesian conditions over the
— 1 —8
site area, 3 x 10 at SA-ll to 2 x 10 at SA-15. This range
of conditions is a result of confining beds due to variations in
lithology over the site. A summary of the resulting shallow aquifer
i
hydrologic characteristics is presented in Table 6.1.2-1.
6-12
-------
Table 6.1.2-1. Shallow Aquifer Hydrologic Characteristics
0»
Well
No.
SA-1
SA-2
SA-31
SA-4
SA-5
SA-6
SA-7
SA-8
SA-9
SA-10
SA-ll
SA-12
SA-13
SA-14
SA-15
SA-16
SA-1 7
SA-18
Total
Depth
(Ft.)
51
30
25
30
40
56
52.5
35
44
44
47
44
66
60
55
50
51
55
Pimping
Rate
50
40
3.3
<2
10
<2
10
8.7
7
5.8
8
<2
5.8
14
8.5
54
28
15.5
Specific
Capacity
(gpnVft)
3.5
2.8
.6
<.l
.85
<.l
.7
.5
0.36
0.23
0.99
.1
0.27
0.93
1.09
4.6
3.6
0.99
Calculated Transmissivity (T) (gpd/ft)
(using following methods)
Drawdown
vs. time
14,200
4,400
970
—
1,000
—
750
2,600
420
140
590
—
1,700
1,500
2,800
48,000
7,400
1,900
Recovery
vs. t/t1
7,600
7,700
1,200
—
1,200
—
820
2,300
440
220
920
—
900
1,500
1,700
18,000
5,300
1,700
Specific
Capacity*
7,000
5,600
1,200
—
1,200
—
1,400
1,000
720
460
2,000
—
540
1,900
2,200
9,200
7,200
2,000
Representative
Iransmissivity
(gpd/ft)
8,000
6,000
1,100
<200
1,100
<200
900
2,000
500
300
1,000
<200
1,000
1,500
2,000
20,000
6,000
1,000
Calculated
Storage
Cbeff. (S)
Drawdovn
^__
3x10
2xlO~J
—
—
—
6x1 0~3
—
4xio~;:
4xlO~'T
3X10"1
—
—
4x10^
2x10^
—
5xio"r
IxlQ
*U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 1536-1, p. 331, 1962.
Source: CF Mining Corporation, 1975.
-------
The physical characteristics of the shallow aquifer were determined
during the drilling of six cores at representative locations over the
Complex II site. A geologic cross-section prepared from the drilling on
the study area is presented in Section 4: Geotechnical. The results
show that the thickness and lithology of the shallow aquifer is similar
to descriptions reported in previous studies.
From 1976 to present, water level recorders were maintained by CF on 7
shallow aquifer wells, 5 of which are on the study area (i.e., SA-6,
SA-8, SA-10, SA-15, and SA-17) and 2 are on the existing mine site
(i.e., SA-1 and SA-3).
The hydrograph from SA-17 is presented in Figure 6.1-6 for the monthly
water levels from January 1976 through June 1982. The hydrograph
indicates that the highest level of 119.5 feet occurred during 1976,
1978, 1979, and 1980, while the lowest level of 114 occurred in 1976 and
1981. These high and low values correspond to a depth of 0.1 and 5.6
feet, respectively, below the ground surface. The effects of the below
normal rainfall (3-inch deficit) during the dry season from October 1981
through March 1982 is seen in the general decline and lack of
fluctuations in the shallow aquifer water levels during this period.
The hydrographs from the shallow aquifer recorders for the EIS study
period are shown in Figure 6.1-7. These hydrographs indicate that from
July 1981 through June 1982, levels in the shallow aquifer varied by as
much as 8 feet in SA-10 and about 4.5 feet at SA-8 and SA-17. The large
increase in levels in most of the wells in early and late August 1981 is
the result of heavy rainfall of about 3 inches and 4 inches on August
3-4 and August 20-24, 1981 respectively.
The differences between individual wells with respect to the range of
water level fluctuations and response to rainfall probably result from
variations in the lithology of the shallow aquifer and on-site rainfall
6-14
-------
125-1
120-
U. 115-
-I
to
Z
i
t
M
Ul
UJ
cc
Ul
I
110-1
105-
100-
1976
I
1977
I
1978
I
1979
YEAR
1980
I
1981
1982
Figure 6.1-6
HYDROGRAPH OF SHALLOW AQUIFER WELL SA-17 ON CF
COMPLEX II, JANUARY 1976 THROUGH JUNE 1982
SOURCES: CF MINING CORPORATION, 1976-1982; ESE, 1982.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
CF INDUSTRIES
Hardee Phosphate Complex I!
-------
120-
2
i
UJ
Ul
DC
Ul
I
110-
100 -
90-
80
GROUND SURFACE
ELEVATIONS
MSLIFTI
123.9
99.1
112.1
117.9
105.7
116.7
119.6
JUNE
Figure 6.1-7
HYDROGRAPHS OF SHALLOW AQUIFER WELLS ON CF
PROPERTY, JULY 1981 THROUGH JUNE 1982
SOURCES: CF MINING CORPORATION, 1982; ESE, 1982.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
CF INDUSTRIES
Hardee Phosphate Complex II
-------
distribution. The high water levels at the continuous recorders on
Complex 11 ranged from 0 to 2 feet below ground surface during September
1981. The low water levels occurred in July 1981 and ranged from 4 to
9 feet helow ground surface.
Contour maps of the potentiometric surface in the shallow aquifer are
shown in Figure 6.1-8 for the wet season (September 1981) and Figure
6.1-9 for the dry season (May 1982). These maps were developed from the
water level recordings and monthly water elevation measurements in the
surficial aquifer wells, along with land surface topographic maps. The
results of these contour maps show the water level gradient generally to
be about 10 feet per mile, sloping downward towards the north on the
east side of the property and downward towards the south on the west
side. The highest potentiometric surface is in the northwest area of
the study area, and the lowest is in the north-central section where Doe
Branch intersects the property line.
6.1.2.2 SECONDARY ARTESIAN AQUIFER
At the CF Hardee site, the secondary artesian aquifer consists of about
250 feet of alternating limestone and clay within the Hawthorn
Formation. Examination of well cuttings and gamma-ray logs from wells
drilled on-site indicates that in most places the secondary artesian
aquifer is overlain by clay beds at the base of the shallow
undifferentiated elastics. At the DF well in the cluster area, the
thickness of the overlying clays is about 30 feet. About 50 feet of
basal Hawthorn or upper Tampa clays separate the water-bearing zones in
the Hawthorn Formation from the underlying Floridan Aquifer.
During the CUP investigations, static water levels in the Hawthorn
differed by as much as 25 feet when both UF-2 and UF-3 were at approxi-
mately the same depth. The reason for this difference in water levels
is not well defined but could be due to differences in well construc-
tion, water-bearing zones within the Hawthorn having different water
levels, or possible fracturing in the area.
-------
04-30-84
118
KEY
.120'
EQUAL ELEVATION CONTOUR (FEET ABOVE MSL)
WATER TABLE AQUIFER POTENTIOMETRIC
SURFACE
SCALE
0
2 Miles
1 2 Kilometers
Figure 6.1-8
POTENTIOMETRIC SURFACE OF SHALLOW AQUIFER
IN SEPTEMBER 1981
Source: ESE, 1984.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
CF INDUSTRIES
Hardee Phosphate Complex
-------
J^,vw ^ |