United States     Region 4      EPA 904/9-81-072
Environmental Protection  345 Courtland Street NE May 1981
Agency       Atlanta, Ga. 30365
Environmental    Draft
Impact Statement
Farmland  Industries, Inc.
Phosphate Mine
Hardee County, Florida

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                              DRAFT
                 ENVIRONMENTAL  IMPACT  STATEMENT

                               for

           Proposed  Issuance of a New  Source National
          Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit

                                to

                Farmland Industries, Incorporated
                         Phosphate  Mine
                     Hardee County,  Florida

                          prepared  by:

              U.S.  Environmental Protection Agency
                Region  IV, Atlanta,  Georgia  30365

                       cooperating agency:

                   U.S.  Army Corps of Engineers
                      Jacksonville District
                   Jacksonville, Florida   32201
Farmland  Industries,  Inc. has  proposed  an  open  pit  phosphate
mine  and  benef iciation  plant   on  a  7810-acre   site  in  west
central  Hardee County,  Florida.   Mining and  processing  will
involve  5280  acres,  all  of  which  will be reclaimed,  and  will
produce  2 million  tons  of  phosphate  rock  per  year  for  20
years.   The  EIS examines  alternatives,  impacts and mitigative
measures  related  to   air,   geology,  radiation,   groundwater,
surface water, ecology and other natural and cultural systems.

          Comments will  be  received until  July 28,  1981.

           Comments or  inquiries  should be directed to:

               A.  Jean Tolman, EIS Project Officer
               U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                            Region IV
                   345  Courtland Street,  N.E.
                     Atlanta,  Georgia  30365
                          (404) 881-7458


                           approved by:
                                                       JZ. HE f
Rebecca W. Hanmer
Regional Administrator

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                              Summary Sheet
                                  for
                     Environmental Impact Statement

                        Farmland Industries, Inc.

                             Phosphate Mine
(X)  Draft
( )  Final
             U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV
                       345 Courtland Street, N.E.
                         Atlanta, Georgia  30365
1.  Type of Action;  Administrative (X)  Legislative ( )

2.  Description of Action;

     Farmland Industries, Inc. is proposing to construct and operate a
phosphate mine and beneficiation plant in Hardee County, Florida.  The
EPA Region IV Administrator has declared the proposed facilities to be a
new source as defined in Section 306 of the Federal Clean Water Act.

     In compliance with its responsibility under the National Environ-
mental Policy Act  (NEPA) of 1969, EPA Region IV has determined that the
issuance of a new source National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
(NPDES) permit to the proposed mining and beneficiation facility would
constitute a major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of
the human environment.  Therefore this Environmental Impact Statement
                                   -1-

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has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of NEPA and EPA
regulations at 40 CFR Part 6.

     Farmland's proposed mine operation is planned to produce 2 million
tons per year of wet phosphoric rock over the 20-year life of the mine.
Approximately 4951 acres of the 7800-acre site would be mined, with an
additional 329 to be occupied by other facilities such as the bene-
ficiation plant.  During the life of the mine, all of the rock mined
from the tract will be shipped to existing fertilizer plants for con-
version to finished fertilizer, with approximately 50 percent of the
tonnage going to Farmland's existing phosphate fertilizer manufacturing
facility at Green Bay, Florida.  Farmland currently and historically has
bought the phosphate rock processed at their Green Bay plant from other
producers.  Farmland states that the proposed mine is needed to sta-
bilize their phosphate rock supply.

     The initial phase of the proposed activity will be land clearing
and open burning in advance of the mine.  The cleared acreage in front
of the mining operation will be about 20 acres.  The mining operation
will employ a single large dragline supplemented, beginning in year 10,
by a second, smaller dragline.  The mined matrix will be slurried and
transported via pipeline to the beneficiation plant for washing to
separate pebble product, clay, and fines, and for flotation to recover
additional product.  The wet rock will be stored temporarily at the
plant.  Farmland plans to construct an 8000-foot long railroad spur,
linking the plant with the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad, and rail ship
the wet rock product to receiving phosphate fertilizer plants.

     The proposed waste sand and clay disposal plan will employ the
sand-clay mix technique.  Limited conventional disposal will be required
to store these wastes until the sand-clay mix procedure becomes oper-
ational and to periodically store waste generated in excess of the sand-
clay mix requirements and capabilities.  Conventional Settling Area I
(495 acres) will be constructed on unmined land and utilized during the
first 5 years of mining, after which time the stored clays will be
                                   -2-

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removed (and used for sand-clay mix) and the ground beneath will be
mined.  Settling Area II (583 acres) will be used as early as year 2 of
operation and remain active for the life of the mine.  Sand-clay mixing
can begin in the fourth year of mine operation and continue for the mine
life, ultimately creating 3915 acres of sand-clay mix areas, or 79
percent of the total mined area.

     The proposed mining operation requires water for matrix transport
and processing equivalent to a flow rate of 50,000 gpm (72 mgd).  The
proposed water management plan incorporates extensive recycling of
process water to minimize water consumption.  The mine water recircu-
lation system, the clay settling areas, active sand-clay mix areas, and
return water ditches act as a water clarification system, returning
decanted water to the clear water pond.  Clear water is then recircu-
lated to the mine and to the beneficiation plant.  Recycle water is
reused many times before being lost to  the waste or phosphate products
as entrained water.  Actual freshwater  use will be about 8.83 mgd, most
(6.02 mgd) of which is required for the amine flotation section of the
beneficiation plant.  The additional amount will be required for make-up
to replace water losses within the recirculating system.

     The proposed reclamation plan is based on the use of a waste sand-
clay mix material as backfill over most of the mined area  (3915 of the
5169 acres mined).  The proposed plan is designed to return the site  to
a land form and use compatible with the surrounding area, which is
primarily agricultural.  The reclaimed  site will consist primarily of
improved pasture, restored marshes, lakes, and areas  (totalling 2530
acres) to be preserved by Farmland  (e.g., Oak Creek Islands).  Following
reclamation, the acreage of forested uplands, freshwater marsh, improved
pasture, and lakes will increase, while the acreages of freshwater
swamp, pine flatwoods-palmetto range, and citrus will decrease.
                                    -3-

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3.  Alternatives Cons idered;


     Farmland has developed an integrated plan for  the mining and

processing of phosphate rock at their Hardee  County mine.  This plan is
comprised of a number of individual components linked so as  to provide a

total project capable of meeting Farmland's goals.  The identifiable

components included in the Farmland project are as  follows:


        • Mining

        • Matrix Transport

        • Matrix Processing
        • Waste Sand and Clay Disposal

        • Process Water Source

        • Water Management Plan
        • Reclamation


     Various methods (i.e., alternatives) are available to satisfy the
objectives of each of these components.  These are  summarized below:
Component

Mining



Matrix Transport



Matrix Processing
Waste Sand and
 Clay Disposal


Process Water
 Sources
Obj ective

Remove overburden and
deliver matrix to a
transport system.

Transport matrix from the
mine to the beneficiation
plant.

Process the matrix to
separate the phosphate
rock product from the
waste sand and clay.
Dispose of the waste sand
and clay generated by
matrix processing.

Provide a continuous
source of freshwater
(about 8.83 mgd) for use
in matrix processing and
as make-up for losses to
the recirculating system.
Alternatives Considered

Dragline Mining*, Dredge
Mining, and Bucketwheel
Mining.
Slurry Matrix Transport*,
Conveyor Transport, and
Truck Transport.

Conventional Matrix Pro-
cessing* and Dry Matrix
Processing.

Sand-Clay Mixing* and
Conventional Sand and
Clay Disposal.

Groundwater Withdrawal*
and Surface Water
Impoundment.
*Farmlandfs proposed action.
                                   -4-

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Component          Objective                   Alternatives Considered
Water Management   Provide a means to reduce   Discharge to Surface
                   the amount of water in      Waters* and Use of
                   the recirculating system.   Connector Wells.
Reclamation        Return the mined site to    Farmland's Reclamation
                   useful productivity.        Plan, Conventional Recla-
                                               mation, and Natural Mine
                                               Cut Reclamation

     A brief description of each of the alternatives listed above as
well as the no action alternative is presented in the following paragraphs.
Mining
Dragline Mining.  Farmland proposes to use a single large  (45-cu yd)
dragline to move overburden and mine matrix during the first 9 years of
operation.  In year 10 a second smaller  (20-cu yd) dragline would be
added to supplement the larger unit.  Other than the fact  that Farmland
proposes to initially mine with a single large dragline  (rather than two
smaller units), the proposed mining method is as conventionally prac-
ticed in the Florida phosphate industry.

Dredge Mining.  The three most common dredge types are the bucket line,
cutter head, and bucketwheel.  Each is basically a large, barge-mounted
machine consisting of a continuous digging apparatus mounted on a long
boom extending below the water surface.  The bucket line's chain carried
buckets continuously transfer material up to the barge, while the other
two units pump material from beneath the water to the surface via a
suction pipe.

Bucketwheel Mining.  Bucketwheel excavators are large continuous mining
machines which excavate material with a series of buckets mounted on the
periphery rotating wheel and drop it onto a conveyor belt system.
Overburden would be routed for disposal in previously mined areas, while
matrix would be sent to the beneficiation plant.
*Farmland's proposed action.
                                   -5-

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Matrix Transport
Slurry Matrix Transport.  Slurry matrix transport is used at most
existing Florida phosphate mines.  Matrix would be placed into a slurry
pit and mixed with recycled water  (17,720 gpm) from high pressure
nozzles, breaking down the clay and sand matrix into a 26 percent solids
slurry which would then be transported via pipeline to the beneficiation
plant by a series of large pumps operating at about 19,400 gpm.

Conveyor Matrix Transport.  Conveyor matrix transport would require that
matrix be placed onto a belt conveyor at the mine for transport to the
beneficiation plant.  In order to minimize the number of transfer points
and still maintain mobility of the conveyor sections, such a conveyor
belt system would most likely include belt sections of up to 2000 feet
in length.

Truck Matrix Transport.  A dragline would load the trucks, which would
then transport the matrix via haul roads to the beneficiation plant.  At
the plant matrix would be dumped and/or washed out of the trucks.

Matrix Processing
Conventional Matrix Processing.  Conventional matrix processing involves
the separation of phosphate rock from waste sand and clay using a series
of wet-process operations.  These consist of washing, feed preparation,
and flotation.  This is the only method of matrix processing in oper-
ation in the Florida phosphate industry today.

Dry Matrix Processing.  The general concept of dry processing involves
the production of usable phosphate product from matrix—directly fol-
lowing its excavation and drying.  The method utilized would probably
involve both air separation and electrostatic separation.  There are no
such plants in operation in the Florida phosphate industry today.
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Waste Sand and Clay Disposal
Sand-Clay Mixing.  Sand-clay mixing involves the recombining of  the
waste sand and clay removed from the phosphate matrix during separate
processing steps in areas surrounded by dikes 17-20 feet high.   No
specific technique has been proposed by Farmland for creating such a
mixture, but the supply of sand and clay in the matrix should be suffi-
cient to allow development of a technique.  Farmland has committed to do
this once operation begins.
*

Conventional Sand and Clay Disposal.  Conventional methods for disposing
of the waste sand and clay removed from the phosphate matrix during
processing involve their impoundment in separate areas surrounded by
dikes as high as 41 feet above-grade.  More than half of the area to be
mined would be covered with waste clays impounded to a height of 35 feet
above-grade and surrounded by such dikes.

Process Water Sources
Groundwater Withdrawal.  The major source of freshwater used at  the mine
would be from onsite deep (1400 foot) wells.  The mine field would
likely consist of a primary production well, standby production  well,
and a potable water well.  The production well would have a capabity of
6200 gpm, with the average daily pumping rate being about 5075 gpm.

Surface Water Impoundment.  The most readily available freshwater source
which could be utilized by Farmland would be surface water from  nearby
creeks and rivers.  Since the creeks on the site typically exhibit low
flows, or even intermittent flows, the quantity available for use as
process water could be best provided by impoundment within a reservoir
system constructed on the site.

Water Management Plan
Discharge to Surface Waters.  Seasonal changes in rainfall and evap-
oration rates will affect the active water volume of the recirculating
                                   -7-

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 water  system.   When  heavy rainfall occurs,  the system may become over-
 loaded,  forcing a discharge  to  an existing  natural drainage (either
 Hickory  Creek  or Oak Creek)  through a control structure.

 Use  of Connector Wells.   Connector wells  would serve  to reduce the
 amount of water in the recirculating system by dewatering the Surficial
 Aquifer  (a  source of water inflow to the  system)  in the vicinity of the
 active mine pit.   This water would be pumped downward through wells into
 a deeper aquifer and serve as a source of recharge to that aquifer.

 Reclamation Plan
 Farmland's  Proposed  Reclamation Plan.   Farmland's proposed reclamation
 plan consists  of  five general types  of restoration.   These are generally
 described as follows:

     Sand-Clay Mix Landfills                   - 3915  acres
     Crust  Development on  Clay  Settling Areas  - 583 acres
     Sand Tailings Landfills                   - 104 acres
     Land and  Lakes Areas                      -567 acres
     Disturbed Natural Ground                  - 111 acres

Reclamation will proceed over the  life of the  mine, with  the  final  areas
being mined reclaimed in the 24th year after operation  begins.

Conventional Reclamation.  Conventional reclamation is  reclamation
associated with the separate disposal  of  sand  and  clay  wastes  (i.e.,
conventional sand and clay waste disposal).  Reclamation  would  consist
of allowing a  crust to form over the more than 2500 acres  of  impounded
clays and seeding  these areas with forage species, and  creating ex-
tensive land and lakes areas in those areas of the site not covered with
impounded clays.  The revegetation of  these areas would likely  consist
of forage species plantings on most land areas, with  forest tree plant-
ings along the edges  of the lakes.
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Natural Mine Cut Reclamation.  Natural mine cut reclamation would amount
to leaving mined-out areas in windrows, with sand-clay mix deposited
between windrows.  Mined areas would be allowed to revegetate naturally,
as has been the case in many of the older central Florida mines.   The
resultant use of the mined-out land would be largely for fish and
wildlife habitat, with some pastureland.

The No Action Alternative
     The no action alternative by EPA would be the denial of an NPDES
permit for the proposed project.  The effect of permit denial would be
to precipitate one of three possible reactions on the part of Farmland:
(1) termination of their proposed project; (2) indefinite postponement
of the proposed project; or  (3) restructuring of the project to achieve
zero discharge, for which no NPDES permit would be required.

     Termination of the planned project would allow the existing en-
vironment to remain undisturbed and the gradual socioeconomic and
environmental trends would continue as at present.

     If EPA were to deny Farmland's NPDES permit application, the
project might be postponed for an indefinite period of time and then
successfully pursued by either Farmland or another mining company.  This
might be expected to occur when high grade phosphate reserves are
depleted and the resource retained on the Farmland site becomes ex-
tremely valuable strategically as well as economically.

     If EPA denies the NPDES permit, Farmland could still execute a
mining project provided the project could be performed with zero dis-
charge to surface waters.  Under zero discharge conditions, neither an
NPDES permit nor an Environmental Impact Statement would be required.

4.  Mitigation Measures:

     Mitigation measures which would serve to reduce the impacts which
the project will have on the surrounding environment were developed from
                                   -9-

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inputs received from the preparers of the various sections of the

Environmental Impact Statement.  These are described below:
        • Pile overburden such that the volume available for below
          ground waste disposal is maximized.
        • Use "toe spoiling" to reduce the radioactivity of reclaimed
          surface soils.
        • Cover reclaimed sand-clay mix disposal areas with about 6
          inches of low activity soil to reduce gamma radiation levels.

        • Cover reclaimed clay disposal areas with 10-15 ft of over-
          burden to reduce gamma radiation levels.

        • Use treated mine water, rather than Surficial Aquifer water,
          for pump seal lubrication.
        • Divert Hickory Creek around the mining area to its preserved
          lower portion,  rather than to Troublesome Creek.
        • Restrict mining along the preserved lower portion of Hickory
          Creek to only one side of the stream channel at a given time.

        • Monitor the Surficial Aquifer in the vicinity of sand-clay mix
          disposal areas.
        • Increase the acreage to be reclaimed as forest habitat and
          provide corridors for wildlife movement between reclaimed and
          preserved areas by planting additional areas with trees.
        • Establish a 7- to 10-acre littoral zone at the downstream end
          of the lake system proposed for reclamation of the Hickory
          Creek channel.
        • Increase the acreage to be reclaimed as marsh by 116 acres.

        • Implement a program to reduce impacts on the indigo snake, a
          threatened species which occurs on the site.
5.  EPA's Preferred Alternatives and Recommended Mitigating Measures:


     The alternatives evaluation for the Farmland project is presented

in Section 2.0 of the EIS.  Based on analyses described in this section,
                                  -10-

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EPA's preferred alternative for each of the project components is as
follows:

     Project Component             EPA Preferred Alternative
     Mining                        Dragline Mining
     Matrix Transport              Slurry Matrix Transport
     Matrix Processing             Conventional Matrix Processing
     Waste Sand and Clay Disposal  Sand-Clay Mixing
     Process Water Source          Groundwater Withdrawal
     Water Management Plan         Discharge to Surface Waters
     Reclamation                   Farmland's Proposed Reclamation Plan

     As indicated above, EPA's preferred alternatives for the various
project components are in agreement with Farmland's proposed action.
However, implementation of most of the mitigation measures described in
the previous section is proposed as a condition of the NPDES permit for
the project.  The measures excluded as conditions of the permit are the
capping of waste disposal areas with low activity overburden and the use
of treated mine water to meet pump seal requirements.  While environ-
mental impacts might be reduced by capping of waste disposal areas, this
is considered to be impractical on the scale of the proposed mine—both
for economic and technical reasons.

     The withdrawal of Surficial Aquifer water to supply pump seal
requirements represents only 6 percent of the minimum groundwater
withdrawal for the proposed project.  In addition, water will be with-
drawn, in most instances, from areas which will eventually be mined—
totally destroying the Surficial Aquifer itself, at least in the short
term.  Therefore, the economic costs and technical difficulties which
treatment of mine water would pose to Farmland are not considered
justified.

     All other mitigation measures listed in Section 4 are proposed as
conditions of the NPDES permit for the Farmland project.
                                  -11-

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6.  Summary of the Environmental Impacts of the Alternatives:

     A summary of the environmental impacts of the alternatives is
provided in Table 1 so that the impacts of Farmland's proposed action,
EPA's preferred alternatives and mitigating measures, and the no action
alternative can be evaluated comparatively.

7.  EPA's Proposed Action

     Pursuant to provisions of the Clean Water Act of 1977, EPA proposes
to issue a NPDES permit to Farmland for their proposed Hardee County,
Florida phosphate mine.  The proposed permit will impose as permit
conditions the performance of all mitigating measures identified in
Farmland's proposed action as well as those additional mitigating
measures developed by EPA which were recommended for implementation.
                                  -12-

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     Table  1.    COMPARISON  OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF  THE  ALTERNATIVES.
Discipline
Air Quality,
Meteorology,
and Noise
EPA'S Preferred Alternatives
Farmland's Proposed Action and Mitigating Measures
Minor increases in fugitive Same as Farmland's proposed
dust emissions and emissions action.
from internal combustion
engines; minor emissions
of volatile reagents; in-
creased noise levels in
the vicinity of operating
The No Action Alternative
Termination
No change in
meteorology &
noise levels
present; possi-
ble air quality
changes from
other sources.
Postponement
Same as Farm-
land's proposed
action.
Achieve Zero Discharge
Same as Farmland ' s
proposed action.
                equipment.

Geology and     Disruptions of the surface
 Soils          soils and overburden strata
                over the mine site; deple-
                tion of 40 million tons of
                phosphate rock resources;
                creation of a reclaimed
                soil material which should
                be  superior to existing
                soils.

Radiation       Disruption of the natural
                distribution of radioactive
                material within the over-
                burden and phosphate matrix;
                increased radiation levels
                from reclaimed surfaces.
                               Same as Farmland's proposed
                               action, except that the
                               height of the remaining
                               waste clay impoundment could
                               be  reduced by about 4 feet
                               by  piling overburden to
                               greater heights.
                               Same as Farmland's proposed
                               action, except that reclaimed
                               surface soils would contain
                               less radioactive material
                               because of  toe spoiling.
No change in
geology; no
change in site
soils (i.e.,
increased pro-
ductivity) ;
preservation of
40 million tons
of phosphate
rock reserves.
No change in
radiation
characteristics
of the site.


Possible in-
creased phos-
phate recovery
and more effec-
tive sand-clay
mix disposal.
reclamation,
and wetlands
restoration.

Same as Farm-
land's proposed
action.



Increased dike heights,
and water storage capa-
city; probable infringe-
ment on preserved areas;
less desirable recla-
mation plan.




Probable increase in
area covered with waste
clays — the reclaimed
material having the
highest radioactivity
levels.
Groundwater
Surface Water
Aquatic
 Ecology
Terrestrial
 Ecology
Socioeconomlcs
Withdrawal of groundwater
from the Floridan Aquifer at
an average rate of 8.83 mgd;
lowering of Surficial Aquifer
in the vicinity of active
mine pits; possible local
contamination of Surficial
Aquifer adjacent to sand-
clay mix disposal areas.
Disruption of surface water
flows from the mine site;
minor reduction in flows
following reclamation;
degradation of water
quality due to discharges
from the mine water system.
Destruction of aquatic habi-
tats on the mine site;
aquatic habitat modifica-
tions due to reduced sur-
face water flows and
addition of contaminants
to creeks flowing from
the site.
Destruction of terrestrial
habitats and loss of indi-
viduals of some species on
the mine site; creation of
modified habitats following
reclamation.
Generation of jobs with com-
paratively high incomes; ad
valorem and sales tax revenue
for Hardee County; severence
tax revenue for the state,
Land Reclamation Trust Fund,
and Florida Institute of
Phosphate Research; some
population influx to Hardee
County; increased demands
for housing, transportation,
fire protection, police,
and medical services.
                                              Same as Farmland's proposed
                                              action.
                                No change in     Possible reduc-  Same  as  Farmland's pro-
                                existing ground- tion in ground-  posed action.
                                water quantity   water withdrawals
                                and quality.     because of more
                                                 effective de-
                                                 watering of waste
                                                 materials.
Same as Farmland's proposed
action, except that flow would
be maintained in lower Hickory
Creek, instead of increasing
flow in Troublesome Creek;
and there would be reduced
loss of baseflow to Hickory
Creek in years 12-13.


Same as Farmland's proposed
action, except that the impacts
on aquatic biota in Hickory
Creek will be lessened by the
continuation of flow through
its preserved lower portion.
Same as Farmland's proposed
action, except that the wild-
life habitat on the reclaimed
mine site will be more exten-
sive (both marsh and forest).

Same as Farmland's proposed
action.
                                No change in
                                surface water
                                quantity; sur-
                                face water
                                quality would
                                be dependent
                                upon future land
                                uses in the site
                                area.
                                No change in
                                existing
                                aquatic
                                ecology.
                                                                                               Same as Farm-    Elimination of  surface
                                                                                               land's proposed  water quality impacts
                                                                                               action.          resulting from  discharge
                                                                                                                from mine water system;
                                                                                                                increased probability of
                                                                                                                dike failure imparts.
Same as Farm-    Elimination of habitat
land's proposed  modification resulting
action.          from discharge from mine
                 water system; increased
                 probability of dike
                 failure  impacts.
                                No  change  in
                                existing
                                terrestrial
                                ecology.
                                                                                               Possibly more    Probable creation of in-
                                                                               Loss  of  jobs
                                                                               which would be
                                                                               generated  by
                                                                               the project;
                                                                               loss  of  tax
                                                                               revenue  for
                                                                               Hardee County
                                                                               and the  State;
                                                                               less  demand for
                                                                               transportation,
                                                                               housing, fire
                                                                               protection,
                                                                               police and medi-
                                                                               cal services;
                                                                               continuation of
                                                                               phosphate  rock
                                                                               market uncer-
                                                                               tainties for
                                                                               Farmland and a
                                                                               loss  of  their
                                                                               investment.
effective
reclamation
and wetlands
restoration.

Continuation of
phosphate rock
market uncer-
tainties for
Farmland and
potential in-
creased project
costs; possible
improvement in
supply/demand
for housing in
Hardee County.
creased reclaimed land
areas (waste clays)  of
limited use (e.g.,
pasture).

Same as Farmland's pro-
posed action.
                                                               -13-

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                                                     TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                                  Paee
1.0  PURPOSE AND NEED FOR ACTION                                  1-1


2.0  ALTERNATIVES INCLUDING THE PROPOSED ACTION                   2-1

     2.1  MINING                                                  2-21
     2.1.1  DRAGLINE MINING (FARMLAND'S PROPOSED ACTION)          2-22

          2.1.1.1  General Description                            2-22
          2.1.1.2  Environmental Considerations                   2-25

               Environmental Advantages                           2-25
               Environmental Disadvantages                        2-25

     2.1.2  DREDGE MINING                                         2-26

          2.1.2.1  General Description                            2-26
          2.1.2.2  Environmental Considerations                   2-26

               Environmental Advantages                           2-26
               Environmental Disadvantages                        2-27

          2.1.2.3  Technical Considerations                       2-28

     2.1.3  BUCKETWHEEL MINING                                    2-29

          2.1.3.1  General Description                            2-29
          2.1.3.2  Environmental Considerations                   2-30

               Environmental Advantages                           2-30
               Environmental Disadvantages                        2-30

          2.1.3.3  Technical Considerations                       2-30

     2.1.4  SUMMARY COMPARISON - MINING                           2-31

     2.2  MATRIX TRANSPORT                                        2-31
     2.2.1  SLURRY MATRIX TRANSPORT (FARMLAND'S PROPOSED ACTION)   2-32

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Table of Contents,  Continued

                                                                  Page

          2.2.1.1  General Description                            2-32
          2.2.1.2  Environmental Considerations                   2-34

               Environmental Advantages                           2-34
               Environmental Disadvantages                        2-34

     2.2.2  CONVEYOR MATRIX TRANSPORT                             2-34

          2.2.2.1  General Description                            2-34
          2.2.2.2  Environmenta1 Considerations                   2-34

               Environmental Advantages                           2-34
               Environmental Disadvantages                        2-35

          2.2.2.3  Technical Considerations                       2-35

     2.2.3  TRUCK MATRIX TRANSPORT                                2-36

          2.2.3.1  General Description                            2-36
          2.2.3.2  Environmental Considerations                   2-37

               Environmental Advantages                           2-37
               Environmental Disadvantages                        2-37

     2.2.4  SUMMARY COMPARISON - MATRIX TRANSPORT                 2-37

     2.3  MATRIX PROCESSING                                       2-37
     2.3.1  CONVENTIONAL MATRIX PROCESSING (FARMLAND'S
            PROPOSED ACTION)                                      2-37

          2.3.1.1  General Description                            2-37
          2.3.1.2  Environmental Considerations                   2-43

               Environmental Advantages                           2-43
               Environmental Disadvantages                        2-43

     2.3.2  DRY MATRIX PROCESSING                                 2-43

          2.3.2.1  General Description                            2-43
          2.3.2.2  Environmental Considerations                   2-44

               Environmental Advantages                           2-44
               Environmental Disadvantages                        2-44

          2.3.2.3  Technical Considerations                       2-44

     2.3.4  SUMMARY COMPARISON - MATRIX PROCESSING                2-45
                                   ii

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Table of Contents,  Continued

                                                                  Page

     2.4  WASTE SAND AND CLAY DISPOSAL                            2-45
     2.4.1  SAND-CLAY MIXING (FARMLAND'S PROPOSED ACTION)         2-46

          2.4.1.1  General Description                            2-46
          2.4.1.2  Environmental Considerations                   2-53

               Environmental Advantages                           2-53
               Environmental Disadvantages                        2-55

     2.4.2  CONVENTIONAL SAND AND CLAY DISPOSAL                   2-55

          2.4.2.1  General Description                            2-56
          2.4.2.2  Environmental Considerations                   2-56

               Environmental Advantages                           2-56
               Environmental Disadvantages                        2-57

     2.4.4  SUMMARY COMPARISON - WASTE DISPOSAL                   2-57

     2.5  PROCESS WATER SOURCES                                   2-57
     2.5.1  GROUNDWATER WITHDRAWAL (FARMLAND'S PROPOSED ACTION)    2-58

          2.5.1.1  General Description                            2-58

               Phase I                                            2-58
               Phase II                                           2-59
               Phase III                                          2-59

          2.5.1.2  Environmental Considerations                   2-59

               Environmental Advantages                           2-59
               Environmental Disadvantages                        2-59

     2.5.2  SURFACE WATER IMPOUNDMENT                             2-60

          2.5.2.1  General Description                            2-60
          2.5.2.2  Environmental Considerations                   2-60

               Environmental Advantages                           2-60
               Environmental Disadvantages                        2-61

     2.5.3  SUMMARY COMPARISON - PROCESS WATER SOURCES            2-61

     2.6  WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN                                   2-61
     2.6.1  DISCHARGE INTO SURFACE WATERS (FARMLAND'S
            PROPOSED ACTION)                                       2-62
                                  iii

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Table of Contents,  Continued
          2.6.1.1  General Description                            2-62
          2.6.1.2  Environmental Considerations                   2-63

               Environmental Advantages                           2-63
               Environmental Disadvantages                        2-63

     2.6.2  USE OF CONNECTOR WELLS                                2-64

          2.6.2.1  General Description                            2-64
          2.6.2.2  Environmental Considerations                   2-64

               Environmental Advantages                           2-64
               Environmental Disadvantages                        2-64

     2.6.3  SUMMARY COMPARISON - WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN            2-65

     2.7  RECLAMATION PLAN                                        2-65
     2.7.1  FARMLAND'S PROPOSED RECLAMATION PLAN                  2-65

          2.7.1.1  General Description                            2-65

          2.7.1.1.1  Sand-Clay Mix Areas                          2-66
          2.7.1.1.2  Clay Setting Area                            2-80
          2.7.1.1.3  Sand Tailings Fill                           2-80
          2.7.1.1.4  Lake Areas                                   2-81

               Clear Water Pool                                   2-81
               Hickory Creek                                      2-81
               Land and Lakes Area                                2-85

          2.7.1.1.5  Disturbed Natural Ground Area                2-88

          2.7.1.2  Environmental Considerations                   2-88

               Environmental Advantages                           2-88
               Environmental Disadvantages                        2-88

     2.7.2  CONVENTIONAL RECLAMATION                              2-89

          2.7.2.1  General Description                            2-89
          2.7.2.2  Environmental Considerations        -           2-89

               Environmental Advantages                           2-89
               Environmental Disadvantages                        2-89

     2.7.3  NATURAL MINE CUT RECLAMATION                          2-90

          2.7.3.1  General Description                            2-90
                                   iv

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Table of Contents,  Continued
          2.7.3.2  Environmental Considerations                   2-90

               Environmental Advantages                           2-90
               Environmental Disadvantages                        2-90

     2.7.4  SUMMARY COMPARISON - RECLAMATION                      2-90

     2.9  MITIGATION MEASURES                                     2-91
     2.8.1  GEOLOGY AND SOILS                                     2-91
     2.8.2  RADIATION                                             2-91
     2.8.3  HYDROLOGY                                             2-92
     2.8.4  WATER QUALITY                                         2-93
     2.8.5  TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGY                                   2-93
     2.8.6  AQUATIC ECOLOGY                                       2-95
     2.8.7  SOCIOECONOMICS                                        2-95
     2.9  THE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE                               2-96
     2.9.1  TERMINATION OF THE PROJECT                            2-96
     2.9.2  POSTPONEMENT OF THE PROJECT                           2-96
     2.9.3  ACHIEVING A ZERO DISCHARGE                            2-99
     2.10  EPA'S PREFERRED ALTERNATIVES. MITIGATING MEASURES,
           AND RECOMMENDED ACTION                                 2-100
     2.11  REFERENCES                                             2-102
3.0  THE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES
     OF THE ALTERNATIVES                                          3-1

     3.1  AIR QUALITY, METEOROLOGY, AND NOISE                     3-2
     3.1.1  THE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT                              3-2

          3.1.1.1  Meteorology                                    3-2

               Temperature                                        3-3
               Precipitation                                      3-4
               Humidity and Fog                                   3-4
               Wind Direction and Speed                           3-5

          3.1.1.2  Air Quality                                    3-5
          3.1.1.3  Noise                                          3-7

     3.1.2  ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES OF THE ALTERNATIVES        3-9

          3.1.2.1  The No Action Alternative                      3-9
          3.1.2.2  The Action Alternatives, Including the
                   Proposed Action                                3-9
          3.1.2.2.1  Mining                                       3-9

               Dragline Mining (Farmland's Proposed Action)       3-9

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Table of Contents, Continued

                                                                  Page

               Bucketwheel Mining                                 3-10
               Dredge Mining                                      3-10

          3.1.2.2.2  Matrix Transport                             3-10

               Slurry Transport (Farmland's Proposed Action)       3-10
               Conveyor Transport                                 3-11
               Truck Transport                                    3-11

          3.1.2.2.3  Matrix Processing                            3-11

               Conventional Matrix Processing (Farmland's
                Proposed Action)                                  3-11
               Dry Matrix Processing                              3-12

          3.1.2.2.4  Reclamation                                  3-12

               Farmland's Proposed Reclamation Plan               3-12
               Conventional Reclamation                           3-12
               Natural Mine Cut Reclamation                       3-13

     3.2  GEOLOGY AND SOILS                                       3-13
     3.2.1  THE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT                              3-13

          3.2.1.1  Geology                                        3-13
          3.2.1.2  Soils                                          3-14
          3.2.1.2.1  Soil Types                                   3-14
          3.2.1.2.2  Drainage and Permeability                    3-18
          3.2.1.2.3  Acidity                                      3-19
          3.2.1.2.4  Agricultural Productivity                    3-19

     3.2.2  ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES OF THE ALTERNATIVES        3-20

          3.2.2.1  The No Action Alternative                      3-20
          3.2.2.2  The Action Alternatives, Including the
                   Proposed Action                                3-20
          3.2.2.2.1  Mining                                       3-20

               Dragline Mining (Farmland's Proposed Action)       3-20
               Dredge Mining                                      3-21
               Bucketwheel Mining                                 3-21

          3.2.2.2.2  Waste Sand and Clay Disposal                 3-21

               Sand-Clay Mixing (Farmland's Proposed Action)       3-21
               Sand-Clay Mixture                                  3-22

                    Clay                                          3-23
                                   vi

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Table of Contents,  Continued

                                                                  Page

                    Sand                                          3-23

               Conventional Sand and Clay Disposal                3-23

          3.2.2.2.3  Reclamation                                  3-24

               Farmland's Proposed Reclamation Plan               3-24
               Conventional Reclamation Plan                      3-25
               Natural Mine Cut Reclamation                       3-25

     3.3  RADIATION                                               3-26
     3.3.1  THE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT                              3-26

          3.3.1.1  Uranium Equilibrium                            3-27
          3.3.1.2  Background Radiation                           3-28
          3.3.1.2.1  Air                                          3-28
          3.3.1.2.2  Water                                        3-28
          3.3.1.2.3  Structures                                   3-29
          3.3.1.3  Subsurface Radioactivity                       3-29

     3.3.2  ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES OF THE ALTERNATIVES        3-33

          3.3.2.1  The No Action Alternative                      3-33
          3.3.2.2  The Action Alternatives, Including the
                   Proposed Action                                3~33
          3.3.2.2.1  Mining                                       3-33

               Dragline .Mining (Farmland's Proposed Action)       3-33
               Dredge Mining                                      3-35
               Bucketwheel Mining                                 3-35

          3.3.2.2.2  Matrix Processing                            3-35

               Conventional Matrix Processing (Farmland's
                Proposed Action)                                  3-35
               Dry Matrix Processing                              3-37

          3.3.2.2.3  Sand and Clay Waste Disposal                 3-38

               Sand-Clay Mixing (Farmland's Proposed Action)      3-38
               Conventional Sand and Clay Disposal                3-40

          3.3.2.2.4  Reclamation                                  3-40

               Farmland's Proposed Reclamation Plan               3-40
               Conventional Reclamation                           3-43
               Natural Mine Cut Reclamation                       3-43
                                   vii

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Table of Contents,  Continued

                                                                  Page

     3.4  GROUNDWATER                                             3-43
     3.4.1  THE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT                              3-43

          3.4.1.1  Groundwater Quantity                           3-43
          3.4.1.1.1  Surficial Aquifer                            3-45
          3.4.1.1.2  Secondary Artesian Aquifer                   3-47
          3.4.1.1.3  Floridan Aquifer                             3-48
          3.4.1.2  Groundwater Quality                            3-52
          3.4.1.2.1  Surficial Aquifer                            3-52
          3.4.1.2.2  Secondary Artesian Aquifer                   3-52
          3.4.1.2.3  Floridan Aquifer                             3-55

     3.4.2  ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES OF THE ALTERNATIVES        3-55

          3.4.2.1  The No Action Alternative                      3-55
          3.4.2.2  The Action Alternatives,  Including the
                   Proposed Action                                3-56
          3.4.2.2.1  Mining                                       3-56

               Dragline Mining (Farmland's Proposed Action)        3-56
               Dredge Mining                                      3-56
               Bucketwheel Mining                                 3-57

          3.4.2.2.2  Matrix Transport                             3-57

               Slurry Matrix Transport (Farmland's Proposed
                Action)                                           3-57
               Conveyor Matrix Transport                          3-57
               Truck Matrix Transport                             3-58

          3.4.2.2.3  Matrix Processing                            3-58

               Conventional Matrix Processing (Farmland's
                Proposed Action)                                  3-58
               Dry Matrix Processing                              3-60

          3.4.2.2.4  Process Water Sources                        3-60

               Groundwater Withdrawal (Farmland's Proposed
                Action)                                           3-60
               Surface Water Impoundment                          3-60

          3.4.2.2.5  Waste Sand and Clay Disposal                 3-61

               Sand-Clay Mixing (Farmland's Proposed Action)       3-61
               Conventional Sand and Clay Disposal                3-62

          3.4.2.2.6  Water Management Plan                        3-64
                                  viii

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Table of Contents,  Continued
               Discharge to Surface Waters (Farmland's
                Proposed Action)                                   3-64
               Connector Wells                                    3-64

          3.4.2.2.7  Reclamation                                  3-64

               Farmland's Proposed Reclamation Plan               3-64
               Conventional Reclamation                           3-65
               Natural Mine Cut Reclamation                       3-65

     3.5  SURFACE WATER                                           3-66
     3.5.1  THE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT                              3-66

          3.5.1.1  Surface Water Quantity                         3-66
          3.5.1.2  Surface Water Quality                          3-67

     3.5.2  ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES OF THE ALTERNATIVES        3-71

          3.5.2.1  The No Action Alternative                      3-71
          3.5.2.2  The Action Alternatives, Including the
                   Proposed Action                                3-71
          3.5.2.2.1  Mining                                       3-71

               Dragline Mining (Farmland's Proposed Action)       3-71

                    Troublesome Creek                             3-75
                    Hickory Creek                                 3-75
                    Oak Creek                                     3-76

               Dredge Mining                                      3-77
               Bucketwheel Mining                                 3-78

          3.5.2.2.2  Matrix Transport                             3-78

               Slurry Matrix Transport (Farmland's Proposed
                Action)                                           3-78
               Conveyor Matrix Transport                          3-78
               Truck Matrix Transport                             3-78

          3.5.2.2.3  Matrix Processing                            3-78

               Conventional Matrix Processing (Farmland's
                Proposed Action)                                  3-78
               Dry Matrix Processing                              3-79

          3.5.2.2.4  Waste Sand and Clay Disposal                 3-79

               Sand-Clay Mixing (Farmland's Proposed Action)      3-79
                                   xx

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Table of Contents,  Continued

                                                                  Page

               Conventional Sand and Clay Disposal                3-81

          3.5.2.2.5  Process Water Sources                        3-82

               Groundwater Withdrawal (Farmland's Proposed
                Action)                                           3-82
               Surface Water Impoundment                          3-82

          3.5.2.2.6  Water Management Plan                        3-83

               Discharge to Surface Waters (Farmland's
                Proposed Action)                                  3-83
               Connector Wells                                    3-88

          3.5.2.2.7  Reclamation                                  3-88

               Farmland's Proposed Reclamation Plan               3-88
               Conventional Reclamation                           3-90
               Natural Mine Cut Reclamation                       3-90

     3.6  AQUATIC ECOLOGY                                         3-91
     3.6.1  THE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT                              3-91

          3.6.1.2  Aquatic Biota                                  3-91
          3.6.1.2.1  Benthos                                      3-91
          3.6.1.2.2  Fish                   •                      3-92
          3.6.1.3  Endangered and Threatened Species              3-92

     3.6.2  ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES OF THE ALTERNATIVES        3-93

          3.6.2.1  The No Action Alternative                      3-93
          3.6.2.2  The Action Alternatives, Including the
                   Proposed Action                                3-93
          3.6.2.2.1  Mining                                       3-93

               Dragline Mining (Farmland's Proposed Action)        3-93

                    Destruction of Aquatic Habitats               3-93
                    Alteration of Stream Flow                     3-94
                    Increased Turbidity                           3-95

               Dredge Mining                                      3-95
               Bucketwheel Mining                                 3-95

          3.6.2.2.2  Matrix Transport                             3-96

               Slurry Matrix Pumping (Farmland1s Proposed Action)  3-96
               Conveyor Matrix Transport                          3-96
               Truck Matrix Transport                             3-96
                                    x

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Table of Contents,  Continued

                                                                  Page

          3.6.2.2.3  Matrix Processing                            3-96

               Conventional Matrix Processing (The Proposed
                Action)                                            3-96
               Dry Matrix Processing                              3-97

          3.6.2.2.4  Waste Sand and Clay Disposal                 3-97

               Sand-Clay Mixing (Farmland's Proposed Action)       3-97
               Conventional Sand and Clay Disposal                3-97

          3.6.2.2.5  Process Water Sources                        3-98

               Groundwater Withdrawal (Farmland's Proposed
                Action)                                            3-98
               Surface Water Impoundment                          3-98

          3.6.2.2.6  Water Management Plan                        3-98

               Discharge to Surface Waters                        3-98
               Connector Wells                                    3-99

          3.6.2.2.7  Reclamation                                  3-99

               Farmland's Proposed Reclamation Plan               3-99
               Conventional Reclamation                           3-101
               Natural Mine Cut Reclamation                       3-101

     3.7  TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGY                                     3-102
     3.7.1  THE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT                              3-102

          3.7.1.1  Vegetation Types                               3-102
          3.7.1.2  Principal Wildlife Habitats                    3-102
          3.7.1.2.1  Ruderal Habitat                              3-104
          3.7.1.2.2  Forest Habitat                               3-104
          3.7.1.2.3  Wooded Swamps Habitat                        3-104
          3.7.1.2.4  Freshwater Marsh Habitat                     3-105
          3.7.1.3  Game and Commercial Furbearing Species         3-105
          3.7.1.4  Threatened and Endangered Species - Federal    3-105
          3.7.1.4.1  Bald Eagle                                   3-106
          3.7.1.4.2  Red-cockaded Woodpecker                      3-108
          3.7.1.4.3  American Alligator                           3-108
          3.7.1.4.4  Eastern Indigo Snake                         3-108
          3.7.1.4.5  Arctic Peregrine Falcon                      3-109
          3.7.1.5  Endangered and Threatened Species and
                   Species of Special Concern - State             3-109
          3.7.1.5.1  Wood Stork                                   3-109
          3.7.1.5.2  Florida Sandhill Crane                       3-110
                                   xi

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Table of Contents,  Continued
          3.7.1.5.3  Gopher Tortoise                              3-110
          3.7.1.5.A  Florida Burrowing Owl                        3-110
          3.7.1.5.5  Little Blue Heron, Snowy Egret,  and
                     Louisiana Heron                              3-110
     3.7.2  ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES OF THE ALTERNATIVES        3-111

          3.7.2.1  The No Action Alternative                      3-111
          3.7.2.2  The Action Alternatives,  Including the
                   Proposed Action                                3-111
          3.7.2.2.1  Mining                                       3-111

               Dragline Mining (Farmland's Proposed Action)        3-111

                    Acreage Altered                               3-112
                    Disruption of Wetlands                        3-114
                    Impacts on Faunal Populations                 3-117
                    Effects on Endangered or Threatened Species   3-119

               Dredge Mining                                      3-122
               Bucketwheel Mining ^                                3-122

          3.7.2.2.2  Waste Sand and Clay Disposal                 3-122

               Sand-Clay Mixing (Farmland's Proposed Action)       3-122
               Conventional Sand and Clay Disposal                3-123

          3.7.2.2.3  Process Water Sources                        3-124

               Groundwater Withdrawal (Farmland's Proposed
                Action)                                           3-124
               Surface Water Impoundment                          3-124

          3.7.2.2.4  Reclamation                                  3-124

               Farmland's Proposed Reclamation Plan               3-124
               Conventional Reclamation                           3-128
               Natural Mine Cut Reclamation                       3-128

     3.8  SOCIOECONOMICS                                          3-128
     3.8.1  THE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT                              3-128

          3.8.1.1  Population, Income, and Employment             3-128
          3.8.1.2  Land Use                                       3-129
          3.8.1.3  Transportation                                 3-130
          3.8.1.4  Community Services and Facilities              3-131
          3.8.1.5  Public Finance                                 3-132
                                   Xll

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Table of Contents,  Continued
          3.8.1.6  Cultural Resources                             3-133
          3.8.1.7  Visual Resources                               3-134
          3.8.1.7.1  Physical Environment Description             3-134
          3.8.1.7.2  Human Perception Analysis                    3-135

     3.8.2  ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES OF THE ALTERNATIVES        3-137

          3.8.2.1  The No Action Alternative                      3-137
          3.8.2.2  The Action Alternatives,  Including the
                   Proposed Action                                3-138
          3.8.2.2.1  Population, Income,  and Employment           3-138
          3.8.2.2.2  Land Use and Value                           3-139
          3.8.2.2.3  Transportation                               3-140
          3.8.2.2.4  Community Facilities                         3-140
          3.8.2.2.5  Public Finance                               3-141
          3.8.2.2.6  Cultural Resources                           3-142
          3.8.2.2.7  Visual Resources                             3-143

               Construction                                       3-143
               Operation                                          3-144
               Post-Reclamation and Abandonment                   3-145
               Summary                                            3-145

     3.9  REFERENCES                                              3-146
4.0  SHORT-TERM USE VERSUS LONG-TERM PRODUCTIVITY                 4-1

     4.1  THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT                                4-1
     4.1.1  AIR                                                   4-1

          4.1.1.1  Short-Term                                     4-1
          4.1.1.2  Long-Term                                      4-2

     4.1.2  WATER                                                 4-2

          4.1.2.1  Short-Term                                     4-2
          4.1.2.2  Long-Term                                      4-3

     4.1.3  ECOLOGY                                               4-3

          4.1.3.1  Short-Term                                     4-3
          4.1.3.2  Long-Term                                      4-4

     4.1.4  SOCIOECONOMICS                                        4-4

          4.1.4.1  Short-Term                                     4-4
          4.1.4.2  Long-Term                                      4-5
                                  xiii

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Table of Contents, Continued

                                                                  Pag€

5.0  IRREVERSIBLE OR IRRETRIEVABLE COMMITMENTS OF RESOURCES       5-1

     5.1  DEPLETION OF MINERAL RESOURCES                          5-1
     5.2  LANDFORM CHANGES                                        5-3
     5.3  COMMITMENT OF WATER RESOURCES                           5-3
     5.4  FISH AND WILDLIFE HABITAT                               5-4
     5.5  AESTHETICS                                              5-6
     5.6  HISTORICAL AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL VALUES                    5-6
     5.7  REFERENCES                                              5-6
6.0  COMPARISON OF PROPOSED ACTIVITY WITH AREAWIDE EIS
     RECOMMENDATIONS                                              6-1

     6.1  MINING AND BENEFICIATION REQUIREMENTS                   6-1
     6.1.1  ELIMINATE THE ROCK-DRYING PROCESSING AT BENE-
            FICIATION PLANTS AND TRANSPORT WET ROCK TO
            CHEMICAL PLANTS                                       6-1
     6.1.2  MEET STATE OF FLORIDA AND LOCAL EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS
            FOR ANY DISCHARGES                                    6-3
     6.1.3  ELIMINATE CONVENTIONAL ABOVE GROUND SLIME-DISPOSAL
            AREAS                                                 6-3
     6.1.4  MEET SOUTHWEST FLORIDA CONSUMPTIVE USE PERMIT
            REQUIREMENTS                                          6-4
     6.1.5  PROVIDE STORAGE THAT ALLOWS RECIRCULATION OF WATER
            RECOVERED FROM SLIMES                                 6-4
     6.1.6  USE CONNECTOR WELLS                                   6-4
     6.1.7  ADDRESS PROPOSED REGULATIONS REGARDING RADIATION
            LEVELS TO BE PUBLISHED BY EPA AND PROJECTED BY
            MINING AND RECLAMATION PLANS FOR NEW SOURCE MINES
            BASED ON TEST BORINGS OF MATERIAL TO BE ENCOUNTERED
            AND DEVELOP A RECLAMATION PLAN THAT CONSIDERS
            RADIATION OF SPOIL MATERIAL AND REDUCES AS MUCH AS
            POSSIBLE THE AMOUNT OF RADIONUCLIDE-BEARING MATERIAL
            LEFT WITHIN 3-4 FEET OF THE SURFACE                   6-4
     6.1.8  MEET COUNTY AND STATE RECLAMATION REQUIREMENTS AND
            INCLUDE AN INVENTORY OF TYPES OF WILDLIFE HABITAT
            IN THE AREA TO BE MINED AND THE AREA IMMEDIATELY
            SURROUNDING IT                                        6-5
     6.1.9  THE MINING AND RECLAMATION PLAN WILL TAKE INTO ACCOUNT
            THE PROTECTION AND RESTORATION OF HABITAT SO SELECTED
            SPECIES OF WILDLIFE WILL BE ADEQUATELY PROTECTED
            DURING MINING AND RECLAMATION                         6-6
     6.1.10  PROTECT OR RESTORE WETLANDS UNDER THE JURISDICTION
             OF THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS, SECTION 404, FEDERAL
             WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ACT, PURSUANT TO 404(b)
             GUIDELINES  (40CFR230)                                6-7
                                    xiv

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Table of Contents,  Continued
     6.1.11  MAKE EFFORTS TO PRESERVE ARCHAEOLOGICAL OR
             HISTORICAL SITES THROUGH AVOIDANCE OR MITIGATE BY
             SALVAGE EXCAVATION PERFORMED BY A PROFESSIONALLY
             COMPETENT AGENCY ANY SITES DEEMED SIGNIFICANT BY
             THE FLORIDA DIVISION OF ARCHIVES, HISTORY, AND
             RECORDS MANAGEMENT.  IF MITIGATION IS CHOSEN, THE
             RESULTING REPORT SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THAT STATE
             AGENCY FOR EXAMINATION AND COMMENT                   6-9

     6.2  REFERENCES                                              6-9
7.0  COORDINATION                                                 7-1

     7.1  DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT COORDINATION LIST  7-1

          Federal Agencies                                        7-1
          Members of Congress                                     7-1
          State                                                   7-2
          Local and Regional                                      7-2
          Interest Groups                                         7-2

     7.2  PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND SCOPING                        7-2
     7.3  CONSULTATION WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR       7-3
     7.4  CONSULTATION WITH THE STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION
          OFFICER                                                 7-4
     7.5  COORDINATION WITH THE U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS      7-4
     7.6  REFERENCES                                              7-5
8.0  LIST OF PREPARERS                                            8-1


9.0  INDEX                                                        9-1
     APPENDIX A - DRAFT NPDES PERMIT FOR THE FARMLAND
     INDUSTRIES, INC. HARDEE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROJECT
                                   xv

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                                                        LIST OF TABLES
Table                                                             Page

2-1       RECLAMATION SEQUENCE AND ACREAGE FOR SAND-CLAY
          LANDFILLS ON THE FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC. MINE SITE    2-78

2-2       COMPARISON OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF THE
          ALTERNATIVES                                            2-103

3-1       MEASURED SULFUR DIOXIDE, TOTAL SUSPENDED PARTICULATE,
          AND PARTICULATE FLUORIDE GROUND-LEVEL CONCENTRATIONS
          AT THE FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC. MINE SITE              3-8

3-2       PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION FOR NATURAL SOIL ON THE
          FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC. SITE AND SOIL MATRIX
          PROCESSING WASTE MATERIALS                              3-15

3-3       CHEMICAL DATA FOR NATURAL SOIL ON THE FARMLAND
          INDUSTRIES, INC. SITE AND MATRIX PROCESSING WASTE       3-16

3-4       RADIUM-226 ANALYSES OF CORE SAMPLES FROM FARMLAND
          INDUSTRIES, INC. HARDEE COUNTY PROPERTY                 3-30

3-5       RADIOMETRIC ANALYSES OF CORE SAMPLES FROM THE
          FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC. MINE PROPERTY                 3-31

3-6       RADIUM CONTENT OF COMPOSITE WASTES FOR FARMLAND
          RADIATION STUDY                                         3-34

3-7       PREDICTED GAMMA RADIATION CHARACTERISTICS OF
          RECLAIMED LAND ON THE FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC. MINE
          SITE                                                    3-39

3-8       PREDICTED RADON FLUX FROM THE RECLAIMED LAND ON THE
          FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC. MINE SITE                     3-39

3-9       SUMMARY OF RADON-222 FLUX CHARACTERISTICS OF VARIOUS
          LAND TYPES IN POLK COUNTY, FLORIDA                      3-41

3-10      STATISTICAL SUMMARY OF GROUNDWATER QUALITY DATA FOR
          SELECTED WELLS IN THE SURFICIAL AQUIFER ON THE
          FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC. MINE SITE                     3-53
                                   xvx

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List of Tables, Continued

Table                                                             Page
3-11      ANALYSES OF GROUNDWATER FROM THE SECONDARY ARTESIAN
          AND FLORIDAN AQUIFERS ON THE FARMLAND INDUSTRIES,
          INC.  MINE SITE                                          3-54

3-12      COMPARISON OF THE WATER QUALITY OF SURFICIAL AQUIFER
          WATER AND SURFACE WATER FROM THE FARMLAND INDUSTRIES,
          INC.  MINE SITE TO MEASURED VALUES IN CLAY SETTLING
          AREA DISCHARGES                                          3-63

3-13      AVERAGE AND FLOOD FLOWS OF STREAMS AT SELECTED SITES
          ON THE FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC. MINE SITE               3-68

3-14      STATISTICAL SUMMARY OF SURFACE WATER QUALITY DATA
          FROM SELECTED STATIONS ON THE FARMLAND INDUSTRIES,
          INC.  MINE PROPERTY; JUNE 1977 - JUNE 1978               3-70

3-15      DRAINAGE AREAS ON FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC. SITE AND
          DISCHARGE FROM PROPERTY BOUNDARY                        3-73

3-16      STATE AND FEDERAL WATER QUALITY CRITERIA AND
          STANDARDS                                               3-86

3-17      EFFLUENT CONCENTRATION OF SELECTED POLLUTANTS FROM
          PHOSPHATE ROCK PROCESSING OPERATIONS IN FLORIDA         3-87
8-1       NAMES,  QUALIFICATIONS,  AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF
          PERSONS WHO WERE PRIMARILY RESPONSIBLE FOR PREPARING
          THE FARMLAND INDUSTRIES,  INC.  DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL
          IMPACT  STATEMENT                                        8-2
                                  xvii

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                                                       LIST OF FIGURES
Figure                                                            Page
1-1       FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC. MINE SITE, HARDEE COUNTY,
          FLORIDA                                                 1-3

2-1       FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC. DRAGLINE MINING AND MATRIX
          SLURRY TRANSPORT SYSTEM                                 2-2

2-2       FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC. DRAGLINE MINING SEQUENCE
          FOR 20-YEAR MINING PLAN                                 2-4

2-3       EXISTING LAND USE OF PRESERVED AREAS ON THE MINE SITE   2-5

2-4       SCHEMATIC FLOW DIAGRAM FOR SLURRIED MATRIX TRANSPORT    2-6

2-5       TYPICAL MATRIX PIPELINE CROSSING OF STREAM CHANNEL      2-7

2-6       FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC. WASTE SAND AND CLAY DISPOSAL
          MAP                                                     2-9

2-7       FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC. MINING-WASTE DISPOSAL
          RECIRCULATION SYSTEM                                    2-11

2-8       WELL LOCATIONS WITHIN THE FARMLAND SITE; HYDRO-
          GEOLOGICAL CROSS-SECTION                                2-12

2-9       MINE WATER BALANCE DURING THE INITIAL YEARS OF
          MINING                                                  2-13

2-10      MASTER DRAINAGE PLAN FOR THE FARMLAND INDUSTRIES,
          INC. MINE SITE                                          2-14

2-11      FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY
          EFFLUENT DISCHARGE POINTS                               2-15

2-12      POST RECLAMATION LAND USE ON THE FARMLAND INDUSTRIES,
          INC. MINE SITE                                          2-17

2-13      EXISTING AND POST-RECLAMATION LAND USE ON THE MINE
          SITE                                                    2-18
                                  xvnz

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List of Figures, Continued

Figure                                                            Page

2-14      POST RECLAMATION TOPOGRAPHY ON THE FARMLAND INDUSTRIES,
          MINE SITE                                               2-19

2-15      LOCATION OF THE PROPOSED PIPELINE/DRAGLINE CORRIDOR
          THROUGH THE PRESERVED PORTION OF OAK CREEK ISLANDS
          ON THE FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC. MINE SITE              2-23

2-16      SLURRY AND CONVEYOR MATRIX TRANSPORT FLOW DIAGRAMS      2-33

2-17      LOCATION OF BENEFICIATION PLANT FACILITIES ON THE
          FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC. MINE SITE                     2-38

2-18      VEGETATION TYPES IN THE VICINITY OF THE PROPOSED
          FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC. PLANT SITE                    2-39

2-19      FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC. WASHER PROCESS FLOWSHEET      2-40

2-20      FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC. FEED PREPARATION AND
          FLOTATION FLOWSHEET                                     2-42

2-21      RETENTION DAM DESIGN FOR CLAY IMPOUNDMENT AREAS ON
          UNMINED GROUND                                          2-48

2-22      RETENTION DAM DESIGN FOR CLAY IMPOUNDMENTS ON
          MINED GROUND                                            2-49

2-23      RETENTION DAM DESIGN FOR SAND-CLAY MIX LANDFILLS
          IN MINED-OUT AREAS                                      2-51

2-24      FILLING OF SAND-CLAY LANDFILL                           2-52

2-25      MATRIX COMPOSITION AND WASTE VOLUME RELATIONSHIPS       2-54

2-26      EXTENT OF MINE RECLAMATION - YEAR 4                     2-67

2-27      EXTENT OF RECLAMATION - YEAR 8                          2-68

2-28      EXTENT OF RECLAMATION - YEAR 12                         2-69

2-29      EXTENT OF RECLAMATION - YEAR 16                         2-70

2-30      EXTENT OF RECLAMATION - YEAR 20                         2-71

2-31      EXTENT OF RECLAMATION - COMPLETE                        2-72

2-32      CROSS-SECTIONAL VIEW OF SAND-CLAY LANDFILL SHOWING
          SURFACE SOIL CHARACTER AND SUBSIDENCE OF LAND FILL
          BETWEEN SPOIL PILES                                     2-73
                                   xix

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List of Figures, Continued

Figure                                                            Page

2-33      EXPERIMENTAL PLANTING PATTERN IN SAND-CLAY MIX AREA
          1 OF THE FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC. MINE SITE            2-74

2-34      STRIP REFORESTATION AT A TYPICAL SAND-CLAY LANDFILL,
          MADE AT RIGHT ANGLES TO THE SPOILING PATTERN            2-75

2-35      REFORESTATION OF SPECIAL SAND-CLAY MIX AREAS 1 AND 2    2-77

2-36      CROSS-SECTIONAL VIEW OF ADJOINING SAND-CLAY MIX
          RECLAMATION AREAS                                       2-79

2-37      AREAS OF WETLAND RESTORATION ON THE FARMLAND
          INDUSTRIES, INC. MINE SITE                              2-82

2-38      PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE LAKE SYSTEM TO BE
          CREATED BY RECLAMATION IN SECTIONS 2 AND 11, T35S,
          R24E OF THE FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC. MINE SITE         2-83

2-39      PHYSICAL DESIGN CONCEPTS FOR FINGER LAKE RECLAMATION
          AREA IN SECTION 2,  T35S, R24E, OF THE FARMLAND
          INDUSTRIES, INC. MINE SITE                              2-84

2-40      PHYSICAL DESIGN CONCEPTS FOR THE OPEN LAKE RECLAMATION
          AREA IN SECTION 11, T35S, R24E, OF THE FARMLAND
          INDUSTRIES, INC. MINE SITE                              2-86

2-41      PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE LARGE LAND AND LAKE
          AREA IN SECTIONS 34 AND 35, T34S, R24E, OF THE
          FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC. MINE SITE                     2-87

3-1       ANNUAL WINDROSE FOR TAMPA, FLORIDA; 1960-64             3-6

3-2       SOIL TYPES ON THE FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC. MINE SITE   3-17

3-3       RADIUM (in pCi/g) IN CURRENT CENTRAL FLORIDA PRODUCTS
          AND WASTES VS. EXPECTED VALUES FOR THE FARMLAND
          INDUSTRIES, INC. PROJECT                                3-36


3-4       HYDROGEOLOGICAL CROSS SECTION OF THE FARMLAND
          INDUSTRIES, INC. MINE SITE                              3-44

3-5       HYDROGRAPH OF SURFICIAL AQUIFER WELL CP-1 ON THE
          FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC. MINE SITE; JUNE 1977 -
          AUGUST 1978                                             3-46
                                   xx

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List of Figures, Continued

Figure

3-6       HYDROGRAPH OF SECONDARY ARTESIAN AQUIFER WELL FIS-3
          ON THE FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC. MINE SITE;
          SEPTEMBER 1977 - AUGUST 1978                            3-49

3-7       HYDROGRAPH OF FLORIDAN AQUIFER WELL FIF-2 ON THE
          FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC. MINE SITE; SEPTEMBER 1977 -
          AUGUST 1978                                             3-50

3-8       FLORIDAN AQUIFER DRAWDOWN PROJECTION FOR THE
          PRODUCTION WELL LOCATED AT THE FARMLAND INDUSTRIES,
          INC. PLANT SITE; PUMPING RATE 6200 GPM                  3-59

3-9       POST-RECLAMATION DRAINAGE PATTERN THROUGH SAND-CLAY
          MIX AREAS ON THE FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC. MINE SITE    3-89

3-10      VEGETATION TYPES ON THE FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC.
          MINE SITE                                               3-103

3-11      LOCATIONS OF RARE AND ENDANGERED FAUNA SIGHTINGS ON
          THE FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC. MINE SITE                 3-107

3-12      WETLAND CATEGORIZATION; FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC.
          MINE SITE                                               3-115

3-13      CONCEPTUAL VIEW OF MARSH RESTORATION IN A SAND-CLAY
          MIX DISPOSAL AREA                                       3-127

3-14      1976 AND 1978 ANNUAL AVERAGE DAILY TWO-WAY TRAFFIC
          (ADT) LEVELS ON ROADS IN THE FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC.
          SITE AREA                                               3-136
                                    xxi

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                                                                     1.0
                                             PURPOSE AND NEED FOR ACTION
     Farmland Industries, Inc. (Farmland) is a regional manufacturing,
distribution, and marketing cooperative which provides a variety of
services to some 1/2 million midwestern U.S. farm and ranch family
member-owners.  One of the primary services of the cooperative is the
manufacture and distribution of fertilizers to its member-owners.

     Farmland currently manufactures phosphate fertilizers in an exis-
ting facility at Green Bay, Florida.  The rock raw material for this
facility has historically and is currently being bought from other
mining companies in central Florida.  During this history of the Green
Bay facility, there have been times when Farmland has been unable to
secure sufficient raw materials to operate this plant at its capacity
and has therefore been unable to supply the necessary fertilizer to its
member-owners.  This has been particularly true during periods when
heavy export demand has drained off both rock and fertilizer supplies
from the domestic market.  In order to prevent this situation from
recurring,  Farmland has proposed to construct and operate a 2 million
ton per year wet phosphate rock mine in Hardee County, Florida (Figure
1-1).  The development, located near Ona, will result in the disturbance
of about 5000 acres of the 7800-acre tract which comprises Farmland's
Hardee County reserve.  During the 20+ year life of the mine, all of the
rock mined from the tract will be shipped to existing fertilizer plants
for conversion to finished fertilizer, with approximately 50 percent of
the tonnage going to Farmland's existing Green Bay facility.
                                   1-1

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     The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that
Farmland's proposed phosphate mining operations will constitute a "new
source" discharge facility under the Federal Clean Water Act of 1977
(FCWA), as amended.  As a new source, the proposed Farmland operations
will be subject to the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Systems
(NPDES) new source effluent limitations and permit requirements.

     In accordance with the FCWA, the issuance of a new source NPDES
permit by the U.S. EPA will represent a major federal action and require
compliance with the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act
of 1969 (NEPA).  The U.S. EPA Regional Administrator determined that the
issuance of the NPDES permit for the proposed Farmland mine would
significantly affect the quality of the human environment.  NEPA re-
quires that all federal agencies prepare detailed environmental impact
statements (EIS's) on proposed major federal actions significantly
affecting the quality of the human environment.   Therefore, the U.S. EPA
is required by the NEPA process to prepare a detailed site-specific EIS
on the phosphate mine proposed by Farmland in Hardee County, Florida.
                                   1-2

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                                         HILLSBOROUGH
                                                                     PROPERTY

                                                                     DE SOTO
 FIGURE 1-1.   FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC.  SITE LOCATION MAP.
SOURCE: FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC., HARDEE COUNTY MASTER PLAN, JUNE 1979
                                                                                      0      10       20
                                                                                        SCALE IN MILES

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                                                                     2.0
                              ALTERNATIVES INCLUDING THE PROPOSED ACTION
     Farmland has developed an integrated plan for the mining and
processing of phosphate rock at their Hardee County mine.  This plan,
hereafter referred to as Farmland's proposed action, is comprised of a
number of individual project components linked so as to provide a total
project capable of meeting Farmland's goals.  The identifiable com-
ponents included in the Farmland project are as follows:

        • Mining
        • Matrix Transport
        • Matrix Processing
        • Waste Sand and Clay Disposal
        • Process Water Source
        • Water Management Plan
        • Reclamation

     Farmland proposes to mine their Hardee County, Florida phosphate
deposit using two large "walking" draglines (Figure 2-1).  One will have
a bucket capacity of 45 cu yd; the other, 20 cu yd.  These draglines
will be capable of removing about 40 feet of overburden and phosphate
matrix from the site at a rate of about 250 acres a year, eventually
resulting in the mining of 4951 acres of the 7810-acre site over a
planned 20-year mine life and the recovery of 39 million short tons of
phosphate rock.  Over this period, about 174 million tons of overburden
will also have been handled.  In order to accomplish this, the draglines
will frequently have to move considerable distances over land between
                                   2-1

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          OLD  SLURRY  PIT
 FIGURE 2-1. FARMLAND  INDUSTRIES,  INC.  DRAGLINE MINING
             AND MATRIX SLURRY  TRANSPORTATION  SYSTEM.
                                                                    0   2,000   4,000
                                                                     SCALE IN FEET
SOURCE: FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC., HARDEE COUNT/ MASTER PLAN, JUNE 1979
                                            2-2

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sequential mining blocks (Figure 2-2).  This will necessitate that
creeks on the site be crossed on several occasions, and that a travel
corridor through otherwise undisturbed land (i.e., Oak Creek Islands) be
maintained.

     Farmland's proposed mine plan (Figure 2-2) has been developed
through the use of a computer model which utilizes the results of
prospect drilling and mining and processing equipment specifications to
determine the optimum mining schedule.  A primary objective of the plan
is to achieve both a uniform production rate and product quality from an
ore body which is considered to be highly variable.  Also part of
Farmland's mine plan is the preservation of substantial areas of the
site (Figure 2-3).  These areas, amounting to about 2530 acres, include
the extensive floodplain forest along the Peace River and the mixed
forest/wetland area within the Oak Creek drainage basin known as Oak
Creek Islands.  Also preserved are smaller forested areas along portions
of Hickory Creek, Troublesome Creek, and a northern tributary to Oak
Creek.

     After excavation, the matrix  (about 1500 short tons per hour) will
be slurried with water (about 18,000 gallons per minuts  [gpm]) and
pumped via a pipeline to the beneficiation plant  (Figure 2-4).  The
matrix slurry will travel through the pipe at a density of about 26
percent solids, at a rate of about 19,400 gpm.  The route of  the pipe-
line to the plant will change as the mining operation does, requiring
that several streams be crossed during the life of the mine.  Double-
walled pipe and catchment basins will be used at such locations  (Figure
2-5) .

     At the beneficiation plant, matrix will be first routed  to  the
washer (an inclined elevated structure) where water will be used with a
system of screens and attritioning devices to break down the  ore and to
size the components into phosphate pebble, waste clays, and feed  (sand-
sized particles).  The screen-separated pebble, if acceptable in quality,
                                    2-3

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 FIGURE  2-2.
                                                                       	  PROPERTY iOUNDARY

                                                                       £fZ.~3  OUT PARCEL (NOT FARMLAND PROPERTY)

                                                                             UNMINEA1LE AREA - ENVIRONMENTAL Sf NSITIVrTV
FARMLAND  INDUSTRIES,  INC.  DRAGLINE  MINING   	   UNMINEA.LEAREA-MINEPLANN,NC
SEQUENCE  FOR 20-YEAR  MINING PLAN.
                                                                         <7   YEAR MINED - DRAGLINE I

                                                                         ;«i>   YEAR MINED - DRAGLINE I
                                                                                    0     2,000   4.000

                                                                                      SCALE IN FEET
SOURCE: FARMLAND INDUSTRIES. INC.. HARDEE COUNTY MASTER PLAN, JUNE 1979
                                                      2-4

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                                                                         ----- PROPERTY BOUNDARY


                                                                         rC.^J OUT PARCEL (NOT FARMLAND PROPERTY)


                                                                             FRESHWATER SWAMP
  FIGURE  2-3.   EXISTING LAND USE OF  PRESERVED  AREAS
                  ON THE  MINE  SITE.
     FRESHWATER MARSH

!• • ^  PINE FLATWOODS PALMETTO RANGE

E2SJ  UPLAND FOREST

I   I  IMPROVED PASTURE

Kvyvl  CITRUS

^m  OTHER AGRICULTURE



     0     2,000   4,000
                                                                               SCALE IN FEET
SOURCE: FARMLAND INDUSTRIES. INC.. HARDEE COUNTY MASTER PLAN. JUNE 1979
                                                  2-5

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                MATRIX
                       1
                 1495 STPH (SOLIDS)
                 1570 GPM (WATER)
(HIGH PRESSURE)


(LOW PRESSURE)
to
15,620 GPM
WATER FROM CLARIFICATION
& RECIRCULATION SYSTEM
                                     PIPELINE (APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES)
                    -MATRIX SLURRY AT 26% SOLIDS (WT. %)
                     19.400 GPM*
                                                                                                           WASHER PLANT
                       •NOTE:  APPROXIMATELY 85 GPM OF SEAL WATER WILL ALSO BE
                              ADDED TO EACH PUMP WHICH WILL GENERALLY BE
                              ADDITIVE TO THE ABOVE FLOW. THIS WATER WILL COME
                              FROM THE HIGH PRESSURE WATER LINE, FROM ADJACENT
                              RECIRCULATION WATER CANALS, OR FROM SHALLOW
                              SURFACE WATER WELLS
           FIGURE 2-4.   SCHEMATIC FLOW  DIAGRAM  FOR SLURRIED MATRIX TRANSPORT,
           SOURCE:  J.J. CAPE, 1979.

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                  MATRIX SLURRY PIPE
EXTERIOR PIPE TO DIVERT ANY LEAKAGE TO SPILLAGE BASINS
                                          EXISTING FLOOD PLAIN
     EMERGENCY SPILLAGE BASIN
  A. PRESSURE SENSING DEVICE TO SIGNAL IF LEAKAGE DEVELOPS

  B. LEVEL SENSING DEVICES TO SIGNAL THAT SLURRY IS FLOWING
    INTO SPILLAGE BASINS

  C. SHUTOFF VALVES TO SEGREGATE MAIN LINE FROM STREAM
    CROSSING SECTION AS REQUIRED
 FIGURE  2-5.  TYPICAL MATRIX PIPELINE CROSSING OF STREAM CHANNEL.
SOURCE: J.J.  CAPE, 1979.
                                                                                                      EMERGENCY SPILLAGE BASIN

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will be sent to product storage.  The waste clays will be removed by
hydrocyclones, concentrated by mechanical thickeners, and pumped to the
clay settling areas or to mined-out cuts for sand-clay mix waste dis-
posal.  The feed areas will be treated with reagents and subjected to a
series of flotation steps to separate the phosphatic particles from the
silica sand waste (tailings).  The reagents used in this process include
fatty acid, fuel oil, sodium hydroxide, sulfuric acid, amine, and kero-
sene.  The flotation will be accomplished by two steps.  In the first
step, or rough flotation, fatty acids and fuel oil will be added to the
matrix.  The underflow from this step will be transported to the sand
tailings disposal area or to the mined-out cuts for sand-clay mix waste
disposal, and the overflow will be cleansed.  The second step, or amine
flotation, will remove additional sand waste and route it to disposal.
The phosphatic particles, or "concentrate" product, will then be de-
watered and transferred to an outdoor storage area (along with the
screen-separated pebble) to await shipment.  Drainage from the storage
area will be collected and returned to the plant process water flow.

     As indicated above, the beneficiation plant will produce both waste
sand and clay.  For each ton of product, 1.08 tons (dry) of clay and
2.82 tons (dry) of sand will be produced.  In terms of volume, these
amounts represent 0.004 acre-feet of clay at 17 percent solids and 0.001
acre-feet of sand at about 80 percent solids.  The primary methods of
waste disposal proposed for the mine will be sand-clay mix deposited in
mined cuts (Figure 2-6).  However, in the initial years the waste
disposal plan requires impoundment of the waste clays in separate
settling areas, with a portion of the waste sand to be used as dike
building material and backfill.  The initial clay settling area (Area
I—495 acres) will provide for waste disposal prior to the availability
of mined-out areas.  Although the ore characteristics are favorable to
sand-clay disposal, Farmland has determined that subsequent settling
ponds (IIA and IIB—583 acres) will also be necessary to maintain the
sand-clay mix disposal areas near existing grade.  The method by which
Farmland will implement sand-clay mixing as a waste disposal technique
                                   2-8

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                                               	   PROPERTY BOUNDARY

                                                      OUT PARCEL (NOT FARMLAND PROPERTY)

                                                      l:NMIM AHM AREA
                                                      ENVIRONMENTAL SENSITIVITY

                                               !•   1   UNMINEABLK AREA
                                                      MINK PLANNING
i/CK)   SAND CLAY MIX
       AREA DESIGNATION

• ixi    SPECIAL SAND CLAY MIX AREA
       Dieted Cliy Fill AUowin| Foi Final Selling
       Neai Or%iiul Kkvilkm.


VC •    SPECIAL SAND CLAY MIX AREA
       DtedfCd (liy Fill Alkiwin| Fot I mil
       Seciliiq To Be Appmximiuly 4 F«l
       Abov« Orifiiul Elevition.
  FIGURE  2-6.   FARMLAND  INDUSTRIE,,  INC.  WASTE
                   SAND  AND  CLAY  DISPOSAL MAP.
SOURCE: FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC., HARDEE COUNTY MASTER PLAN, JUNE 1979
              2.00<   4,000


         SCALE IN FEET
                                                       2-9

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has not yet been established.  An acceptable method of mixing  the  two
waste components will continue to be studied by Farmland prior  to  start-
up and then tested operationally.  Farmland's intent is to implement
full scale sand-clay mixing at the earliest date feasible.  A  total of
3915 acres of  the mined site are scheduled for filling with sand-clay
mix.

     Water requirements for the Farmland project will be met from
groundwater withdrawals and surface water catchment within the  recircu-
lating water systems.  Farmland's surface water catchment facilities
(e.g., from rainfall and seepage) include only those structures that are
part of the mining, waste disposal, and water clarification and re-
circulation system (Figure 2-7), thus the major source of fresh water
will be from deep (1400 ft) wells into the Floridan Aquifer (Figure
2-8).  The withdrawal from these wells should be about 8.83 mgd under
annual average conditions.  Most (6.03 mgd) of this will be used in the
amine flotation process, which requires high quality water.  The re-
maining 2.80 mgd withdrawn will be required as make-up for losses which
occur through entrainment, seepage, evaporation, and shipment  (Figure
2-9).  The actual process water flow will be much higher (about 72 mgd)
than the pumping rate,  but most (about 90 percent) of this will be
recycled water.  During normal operations, the losses which occur in the
system will equal the inputs so that a discharge will not be required
(Figure 2-9).   However,  when heavy rainfalls occur (e.g., in June-
September) the recirculating system may become overloaded and force a
discharge to adjacent surface waters.   During periods when the  system is
receiving above normal rainfall inputs, groundwater withdrawals will be
reduced to the minimum required for processing.

     When a discharge from the recirculating water system is required,
the primary point of  discharge will be from the clearwater pond at the
beneficiation plant to Hickory Creek (Figures 2-10 and 2-11).  A sec-
ondary discharge point will also be provided to release clarified water
from clay settling area II to Oak Creek.  Farmland has requested a
                                  2-10

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                           RETURN WATER CANAL
                                                                 CLEAR WATER POND
  •* SPILLWAYS AS REQUIRED
                                                                    t—j- (40,000 to 50,000 GPM)
                                                                         I
[ooooooo]
     I   CLARIFIED WATER
        PUMPING STATION
                                                                               P PUMP
                                                       (^40,000 GPM)
                                                                                  <
                                                                                  <
                                                                                  o
                                                                                  ff
                                                                                  HI
     ACTIVE RECLAMATION AREAS
                                    i        .	;  ,
         EMERGENCY OUTFALL ——=p—"~V~v^^	r*
        	'       SAND/CLAY MIX
                                     RECLAMATION
       MINED OUT PITS FILLED
       WITH SEEPAGE & RAIN
       WATER
  FIGURE 2-7.   FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC. MINING-
                WASTE DISPOSAL  RECIRCULATION  SYSTEM.
SOURCE: FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC., HARDEE COUNTY MASTER PLAN. JUNE 1979
                                             2-11

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    0)
    u
    10
      500
•0
3
    2

    *»
    O
    O
    En
     1000
                             Seal water wells

                             Deep production wells

                             Potable water wells

                                   Upper sand twit
                                Hawthorn
                          •j^-T  Formation.
                             I Tampa Limestone
                            Suwannoe Limestone  II
                          Ocala Group
                               Limestone Unit 13
                          Avon Park Limestone
                            y Polos tone Uhit
 FIGURE  2-8.    WELL LOCATIONS WITHIN THE FARMLAND  SITE;
                HYDROGEOLOGICAL CROSS-SECTION.
SOURCE: FARMLAND INDUSTRIES. INC., DRI, JUNE 1979
                                          2-12

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                                                                             NET CVAP. LOSS
                                                     PLANT
                                                        &
                                                  MINE WATER
                                                     SYSTEM
              WASTE PEBBLE
                        AMINE CIRCUIT
                            6.030
                        POTABLE WATER
                   NET RAINFALL-EVAPORATION
                                   RECLAMATION AREA
                                   I SAND A CLAY DISPOSAL)
                                                             MINE AREA
                                 ADSORPTION
                  I  DISCHARGE |
SEAL WATER
                                                   GROUND WATER SYSTEM
                                                 PROCESS DEMAND'9.21 MGD
                                           NET WITHDRAWAL AFTER  SEEPAGE' 4. 7 7  MGD
                 on normal ralnlall-avbporatlon.
          ** Accumulation otfaata mlna watar syitam •vaporatlon lost.
          **KExcaaa accumulation la discharged at catchmant araa Incraaaai tn latar yaars.
 FIGURE  2-9.   MINE  WATER BALANCE DURING THE INITIAL YEARS  OF MINING.
SOURCE: FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC., DRI, JUNE 1979

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             -r	t-i	p-i	
                I/  .-•'   !
 FIGURE  2-10    MASTER DRAINAGE PLAN FOR THE FARMLAND
               INDUSTRIES,  INC. MINE SITE.
SOURCE: FARMLAND INDUSTRIES. INC., HARDEE COUNTY MASTER PLAN, JUNE 1
                                          2-14

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NJ

f—'
Ol
SECONDARY
-DISCHARGE
   POINT
                                     SETTLING AREA H A
                                                         SETTLING AREA H B
                                                                                 WASTE CLAY
                                                                                PUMPING STATION
                                                                                                                  PRIMARY
                                                                                                                 DISCHARGE
                                                                                                                   POINT
             RECLAIMED OAK
             CREEK CHANNEL
                                                                            PROPOSED
                                                                            FARMLAND
                                                                            PLANT SITE
                                                                                                                RETURN WATER
                                                                                                               PUMPING STATION
                       TO PEACE RIVER
                                                                                                                   TO PEACE RIVER
           FIGURE 2-11.   FARMLAND  INDUSTRIES, INC.  PRIMARY AND
                          SECONDARY  EFFLUENT DISCHARGE POINTS.
          SOURCE: FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC.. DRI, JUNE 1979

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permit to discharge at an annual average rate of 3.75 mgd when rainfall
conditions require it (Farmland 1981).   The largest discharge antici-
pated would be on the order of 48 mgd—the discharge of catchment from a
12 in. rainfall over a period of 5 days.

     Farmland has developed a detailed reclamation plan for the mined
site based on the waste disposal plan presented in Figure 2-6.  This
plan is designed to return the mined site back to useful acreage, both
for human use and for wildlife (Figure 2-12) .  A comparison of existing
land use with post-reclamation land use is provided in Figure 2-13.  The
post-reclamation topography of the mined site is shown in Figure 2-14.
Additional details of this plan are provided in Section 2.7 of this
statement.

     Farmland's proposed action also includes a number of measures
designed to reduce the potential for adverse impacts on the environment.
These are described below by the components with which they are most
closely associated:

                                 Mining
   • The existing vegetative cover will be maintained on all land for
     which mining or support activities are not imminent.
   • The vegetative cover on about one-third of the mine site will be
     preserved—including the most important wetland acreages.
   • Dragline crossings of stream channels will be selected to disturb
     the least total area, particularly the least wetland area; and
     crossings of Oak Creek and Hickory Creek will be timed to coincide
     with the dry, no-flow periods.
   • The Oak Creek crossings through the preserved portion of Oak Creek
     Islands will be made along a single corridor.
   • Vegetation will be established on the approaches to creek crossings
     and these will be maintained until the final crossing is made.
   • Fill introduced into creek channels during dragline crossings will
     be removed after the crossings and the banks immediately stabilized
     with vegetation.
   • Mine cuts adjacent to property boundaries will be promptly back-
     filled, and rim ditches will be used, where necessary, to maintain
     Surficial Aquifer levels at adjacent property boundaries.
                                  2-16

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FIGURE 2-12.   POST RECLAMATION LAND USE ON THE
               FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC. MINE  SITE.

SOURCE: FARMLAND INDUSTRIES. INC., HARDEE COUNTY MASTER PLAN, JUNE 1979
     FRESHWATER SWAMP
     FRESHWATER MARSH
!•  • -i  PINE FLATWOODS/PALMETTO RANGE
I.V.V.M  UPLAND FOREST
I   I  IMPROVED PASTURE
     CITRUS
     OTHER AGRICULTURE
     REFORESTATION WITH MIXTURE
       OF PINES AND HARDWOODS
     LAKE AREAS

            0    2,000  4,000


             SCALE IN FEET
                                             2-17

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        PINE FLATWOODS/
        PALMETTO RANG:
            11.9%


            NON-FORESTED
              WETLANDS
                6.1%
                                    IMPROVED PASTURE/CROPLAND
                                             32.8%
                                                         EXISTING LAND USE
                                               CITRUS
                                                24.3%
FORESTED UPLANDS
    10.0%
                                     FORESTED WETLANDS
                                        14.9%
                                      IMPROVED PASTURE/CROPLAND*
                                              58.9%
             *INCLUDES EXPERIMENTAL AGRICULTURAL AREA.
                                   POST-RECLAMATION LAND  USE
 FIGURE  2-13.  EXISTING AND POST-RECLAMATION LAND USE ON THE MINE SITE.
SOURCE: FARMLAND INDUSTRIES. INC., HARDEE COUNTY MASTER PLAN, JUNE 1979
                                             2-18

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  T 34 S
  TU>

                                                                    	PROPERTY BOUNDARY

                                                                    \jgg*A  Oil PARCEL (NOT FARMLAND PROPERTY)

                                                                    ._-)»--•  EXISTING CONTULR (MSL DATl'M)

                                                                    — 70—  POST RECLAMATION CONTOIR
                                                                         (MSL DATl M)

                                                                         DRAINAGE AREA DIVIDE
 FIGURE 2-14.  POST RECLAMATION  TOPOGRAPHY ON  THE
                FARMLAND  INDUSTRIES, INC.  MINE  SITE.

SOURCE: FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC., HARDEE COUNTY MASTER PLAN, JUNE 1979
                                                                                   2,000   4,000
SCALE IN FEET
                                               2-19

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                         Matrix Transport

• Double-walled pipe and catchment basins will be used at matrix
  pipeline stream crossings to contain matrix slurry in the event of
  a leak at that point.

• Pressure sensitive devices will be installed in matrix pipelines to
  alert mine personnel to a significant leak in the system.
• Cut-off valves will be installed at both sides of pipeline stream
  crossings to assist in controlling a pipeline leak at these points.
                         Matrix Processing

  During plant construction, water sprays will be applied to unpaved
  areas and roads to reduce particulate emissions.

  During plant construction and operation, perimeter ditches will be
  installed to collect runoff from the plant site area.

  Storage facilities for reagents, fuel, lubricants, etc. will be
  above ground within a walled or diked tank farm.

  Petroleum storage tanks will be built to standards and designed to
  prevent accidental spillage.  Storage areas will be designed to
  route spillage and/or accumulated rainfall to the mine water
  recirculating system or to a tank within the area.
                   Waste Sand and Clay Disposal

  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.

  Dam faces will be planted in grasses to inhibit wind and water
  erosion, and will be mowed as necessary for visual inspection.

  All dams will be inspected daily by a trained Farmland employee,
  and annually by a design engineer.
                       Process Water Source

• Pumping may be reduced in dry periods in order to comply with
  Southwest Florida Water Management District  (SWFWMD) regulations.
                       Water Management Plan

• Water will be recycled to the maximum extent possible (approximately
  90 percent).
• Discharges should occur only during periods of heavy rainfall.
                               2-20

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                               Reclamation
     All dikes and ditches will be graded to  acceptable  slopes  and
     revegetated.
     All disturbed land will be revegetated.   An experimental revege-
     tation program will be conducted on  the  first  sand-clay mix  land-
     fill that becomes available  to  determine the agricultural  and
     wetland restoration potential of such  areas.
     As stated in  the first paragraph  of  this  section,  Farmland's
proposed action is comprised  of  a number  of  project  components  linked  so
as to provide a total project capable  of  meeting  Farmland's  goals.
However, the methods proposed by Farmland to achieve these goals are not
the only ones available.   In  the following sections  various  methods
(alternatives) associated  with the previously  identified  project com-
ponents are described and  evaluated, and  the environmentally preferable
alternatives are  identified.   The evaluation is arranged  by  component  in
the order  previously identified  (see page 2-1).   The first alternative
discussed  under a given  component heading is Farmland's proposed action,
followed by other reasonable  alternatives.   Also  provided in this
section is a listing of  mitigating measures  not included  in  Farmland's
proposed action which would serve to reduce  the adverse environmental
impact of  the project.

2.1  MINING

     There are three mining methods currently  in  use within  the indus-
try.  These are dragline,  dredge, and  bucketwheel mining.  Any  mining
operation  performed on the Farmland site  will  include land clearing and
open burning, drainage basin  alterations,  disruption of surface soils
and geologic strata over 4951 acres of the mine site, and finally matrix
extraction.  Associated with  these activities will be emissions of
particulates and  some fuel combustion  products, increased surface runoff
and erosion, disruption of streamflows and of  the Surficial  Aquifer, and
loss of vegetation, some wildlife, and most  wildlife habitats over the
same area.   It should be recognized that  these impacts  will  occur
regardless of the mining method  employed.  There  are, however,  specific
                                  2-21

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characteristics associated with each alternative mining method which
offer environmental advantages and disadvantages when compared to one
another.  A general description of each mining alternative is presented
below, followed by environmental considerations.  Where additional
information is required to complete the evaluation, technical and
economic considerations are provided.  Lastly, a summary comparison is
presented to identify the environmentally preferable alternative.

2.1.1  DRAGLINE MINING (FARMLAND'S PROPOSED ACTION)

2.1.1.1  General Description
     Farmland proposes to use a single large  (45-cu yd) dragline to move
overburden and mine matrix during the first 9 years of operation (Figure
2-1).  In year 10 a second smaller (20-cu yd) dragline would be added to
supplement the larger unit.  Other than the fact that Farmland proposes
to initially mine with a single large dragline  (rather than two smaller
units), the proposed mining method is as conventionally practiced in the
Florida phosphate industry.

     Farmland's proposed mining sequence (Figure 2-2) 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 over a
period of 20 years using the results of prospect drilling on the site
and the preliminary design of the mining and  processing equipment as
input data.  Each mining block illustrated in Figure 2-2 is designated
by year and relative position within the year (e.g., Block 6B would be
mined in year 6, after Block 6A and before Block 6C).  Land clearing and
site preparation activities will precede the  mining of each block.  It
is estimated that about 250 acres would be mined each year of operation,
but that the amount of cleared land in front  of the active mining pit
would be about 20 acres.

     In order to permit draglines to move between  sequential mining
blocks in years 4, 6, and 10, a corridor will be established through the
lower portion of Oak Creek Islands  (Figure 2-15) an area to be largely
                                   2-22

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                                                                   PIPELINE/DRAGLINE
                                                                   CORRIDOR
                                                                              Sec. 11
                                                                              Sec.14
FIGURE 2-15.
LOCATION OF THE PROPOSED PIPELINE/
DRAGLINE CORRIDOR THROUGH THE PRESERVED
PORTION OF OAK CREEK ISLANDS ON THE
FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC. MINE SITE.
                                                                            1000 feet
 SOURCE: FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC., HARDEE COUNTY MASTER PLAN, JUNE 1979
                                          2-23

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preserved by Farmland's proposed mine plan.  Matrix pumping and waste
disposal pipelines and a mine access road will also be routed through
this corridor.

     Once existing vegetation has been cleared from the approaches to
the crossing, grasses will be established to prevent erosion and turbid
runoff into the creek.  The approaches will be maintained until the
final crossing has been made in year 10.  Farmland will attempt to time
the dragline crossing to coincide with no-flow periods in the creek so
that diversion of the creek will not be necessary.  Once a crossing has
been made, any fill introduced into the channel will be excavated and
the banks immediately stabilized with vegetation.

     In addition to the three planned dragline crossings of the pre-
served portion of Oak Creek, the mining plans call for the mining
dragline to cross the western portion of Oak Creek, as it moves from
mining block 4A to 4B, and the previously diverted northern tributary of
Oak Creek, as it moves from mining block 4B to 5A.  The natural stream
courses in these areas are to be mined.

     The mobility of the draglines which Farmland proposes to utilize
for the mining of their phosphate deposit is a key factor which was
incorporated into the development of their mining plan.  This mobility
will also allow Farmland to mine around areas which are to be preserved
under their plan.  These areas (shown in Figure 2-3) account for 2530
acres, or approximately one-third of the mine property.  This acreage is
comprised of the following land use acreages:

          Land Use                      Preserved Acreage
          Improved Pasture                     456
          Citrus                               160
          Other Agriculture                     58
          Pine Flatwoods/Palmetto Range        354
          Coniferous Upland Forest              47
          Hardwood Upland Forest               187
          Mixed Upland Forest                  276
          Freshwater Marsh                     107
          Freshwater Swamp                     885
                                  2-24

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     As indicated above, 992 acres of wetlands will be preserved under
Farmland's mining plan.  This acreage amounts to nearly all (98 percent)
of the Category 1* Wetlands on the mine site.

2.1.1.2  Environmental Considerations
Environmental Advantages.  Using dragline mining, overburden could be
handled such that it could be selectively returned to the mined out pit.
This would allow the operator to place undesirable material (e.g., leach
zone) at the base of an adjoining spoils pile and cover it with other
overburden or waste from the beneficiation plant.  Secondly, because of
the close proximity of  the dragline  to both  the  active and mined out
areas, handling of overburden could  be accomplished in an energy-efficient
manner.

     Draglines, being  relatively mobile and  capable of mining along
irregular boundaries,  provide the capability of  mining around areas to
be preserved.  Other mining methods  would likely be more restrictive in
this respect.

Environmental  Disadvantages.  The open pits  created by dragline mining
would  drain water  from the  adjacent  Surficial Aquifer.  The amount of
drainage would vary, but should average about 500 gpm.  This dewatering
may have an effect on  the water level in adjacent streams  (especially
Hickory Creek) and the vegetation of adjacent areas  (especially wet-
lands).  This  effect would be most evident during dry seasons.

     Dragline  mining would  also create a very uneven spoiling pattern,
sometimes called windrows.  The creation of  such windrows will require
that heavy equipment be utilized in  reclamation  to create a more uniform
topography.  Such  leveling will require the  burning of fuel (in heavy

*Category 1 Wetlands are those wetlands on the site which occur within
 the 25-year floodplain of  the Peace River or its tributaries upstream
 to the point of 5 cfs  mean annual flow, or  wetlands considered to be
 significant wildlife habitat.
                                  2-25

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equipment) and result in increased air pollutant levels  (e.g., com-
bustion products).

2.1.2  DREDGE MINING

2.1.2.1  General Description
     Dredge mining of overburden and matrix is not practiced today in
the Florida phosphate industry, but dredges are in current use for the
mining of other sedimentary mineral deposits as well as  for harbor and
canal work.  Texasgulf Chemicals Company  (in North Carolina) has been
dredging the upper 40 ft of their overburden prior to dragline mining.
This has been reported to be a successful  technique in North Carolina,
largely because of the extremely wet upper overburden conditions which
had caused serious mine recovery problems  when only draglines were used
for overburden removal.

     The three most common dredge types are the bucket line, cutter
head, and bucketwheel.  Each is basically  a large, barge-mounted machine
consisting of a continuous digging apparatus mounted on  a long boom
extending below the water surface.  The bucket line unit consists of a
series of chain-carried buckets which continuously transfer material up
to the barge.  The other two units cut material loose beneath the water
surface and pump it to the surface via a suction pipe.

     If the Farmland phosphate deposit were to be dredge mined, two
units would likely be required.  The overburden above the matrix would
be dredged by the first unit; the second would dredge the matrix.
Initially the overburden would be pumped to a separate impoundment area.
Once the mining pit was established, diked disposal areas would be
created within the pits.  Matrix would be  pumped directly from the
dredge to the beneficiation plant.

2.1.2.2  Environmental Considerations
Environmental Advantages.  Dredge mining would require that the active
mining pit (i.e., pond) be flooded to sufficient depth to support a
                                  2-26

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barge-mounted dredge.   Thus, the environmental impacts associated with
dewatering of the Surficial Aquifer (described under dragline mining)
would not occur.

     Dredged overburden would be slurry pumped from the active pond to a
diked settling area some distance away.  Overburden deposited within
this area would settle and dewater, the water being returned to  the
recirculating water system.  Overburden deposited in such a manner would
tend to produce a flattened surface.  Thus, leveling of the ridges
produced by dragline mining (and the associated  fuel consumption/combustion
emissions) would not be required.
               »

Environmental Disadvantages.  Maintaining  sufficient water within the
active mine area to support a barge-mounted dredge would likely  require
that water from deep wells  or surface waters be  added  to the pond during
the dry  season.  The amount of water required  to maintain the pond depth
at a suitable level would  depend on factors such as the area being mined
as a unit, the  evaporation rate, and the rate  at which water moved from
the pond into the adjacent Surficial Aquifer.  In general, groundwater
requirements for dredge mining would likely be greater than for  dragline
mining.

     As  indicated above, dredged overburden would be slurry pumped to
diked disposal  areas to dewater.   Such disposal  areas  would likely be
diked  to sufficient height to receive  the  slurried overburden as well as
waste materials from the beneficiation plant,  so that  the volume of
material stored above  ground would be higher than for  matrix processing
waste disposal  alone.  The added volume would  be occupied in part by
entrained water, the amount depending on its clay content.  If signif-
icant amounts of clay  were present in the  overburden,  the entrainment of
water could result in  at least a short-term water loss to the system.

     Dredge mining would not provide the opportunity to selectively
place undesirable material  (e.g., leach zone) within overburden  disposal
areas.   Material handling using dredges would  also require more  energy
                                  2-27

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 than draglines and would not be as efficient at resource recovery.  The
 dredge operator would not be able to view the matrix-overburden inter-
 face; therefore some matrix would likely be removed in the overburden
 dredging operation and lost within the disposal areas.

 2.1.2.3  Technical Considerations
     If the character of the overburden and matrix of the Farmland
 deposit is compared only with material handline capabilities of a
 dredge, there is no technical reason why the deposit cannot be dredge
 mined.  The material generally is soft and sandy, with occasional
 hardpan areas.  The cutter head type dredge may have difficulty, but
 either the bucketwheel or bucket line dredge could mine the Farmland
 property quite comfortably.  Very sophisticated and yet practical
 equipment is available to permit very exact location of the cutting face
 and avoid dilution with overburden.  The depths required per the char-
 acter of the Farmland deposit are well within the limits of very common
 dredging equipment.

     While dredges are technically capable of handling overburden and
matrix on the Farmland site in place of draglines, the following are
 several reasons why dredge mining of the Farmland deposit is considered
 technically unfeasible:

   • Dredge mining slurry density levels are an unknown in the Florida
     phosphate industry, and will remain so until a major test is
     performed.
   • It would be impractical for a dredge to contend with the mobility
     required in the Farmland Mining Plan as illustrated in Figure 2-2.
     Farmland's phosphate reserves are so highly variable in character
     that in-plant blending would most likely not permit the optimum
     single pond,  two dredge approach.

     Of the above considerations, the most critical is that of dredge
 slurry density.  Mining equipment manufacturers generally quote a unit
which will produce a continuous slurry density of 25 percent to 35
percent solids.  This is the level which is normally achieved today with
 draglines and their associated slurry transport system.  Purchasing a
                                  2-28

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dredge without the assurance that it could move on the order of 1500
tons per hour at 30 percent solids could lead to serious production
problems for Farmland (i.e., the amount of material moved at 15 percent
solids would be less than half that moved at 30 percent solids).
Without a major and very costly test of a dredge operating within a
typical Florida phosphate deposit (which has not been done) a proven
slurry density or capacity rating cannot be assumed.  The range of
tonnage capacities achieved at various slurry densities would be as
follows:
Slurry Density
(wt. % Solids)
35
30
25
20
15
10
System Slurry
Capacity
16,200 gpm
16,200 gpm
16,200 gpm
16,200 gpm
16,200 gpm
16,200 gpm
Tonnage
Capacity
1,820 TPH*
1,500 TPH
1,200 TPH
930 TPH
670 TPH
430 TPH
% of Required
Capacity
121%
100%
80%
62%
45%
27%
*Tons Per Hour

     Dredge mining would also introduce organic  contaminants from the
overburden soils into  the recirculating water  system.  This could result
in operational difficulties unless water  treatment  facilities were
installed to remove  them.

2.1.3  BUCKETWHEEL MINING

2.1.3.1  General Description
     Bucketwheel excavators are large continuous mining machines which
normally operate in  conditions usually much drier than Florida phosphate
pits.  These units would excavate material with a series of buckets
mounted on the periphery rotating wheel and drop it onto a conveyor belt
system.   Overburden would be routed for disposal in previously mined
areas,  while matrix would be sent to the beneficiation plant.  A modi-
fication of this technique will be utilized by North Carolina Phosphate
Corporation in the mining of their North Carolina reserves.  In this
                                  2-29

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case, bucketwheels will be used only for the removal of upper over-
burden, with the remainder of the overburden and matrix to be mined with
a large dragline.  An advantage of this system is that overburden can
be selectively placed between the windrows created by the dragline, thus
reducing the need for leveling.

     If the Farmland phosphate deposit were to be mined with bucket-
wheels, it would probably be done using two units—one to excavate
overburden and a second to excavate matrix.  Overburden would be placed
directly into the pit by way of a mobile stacker, ending up in spoil
piles nearly identical to those which draglines produce.  The matrix
would be transferred to a belt conveyor and transported to the plant.

2.1.3.2  Environmental Considerations
Environmental Advantages.  Like dragline mining, bucketwheel mining
would result in the placement of overburden from the active mining area
into nearby mined areas.  However, this would be accomplished by way of
conveyors and stackers which would be capable of distributing the
overburden such that the windrows formed by dragline casting could be
eliminated.  The surface created for further waste disposal would
therefore be more level than that created by draglines.

Environmental Disadvantages.  Bucketwheels would operate within the open
pit, rather than on a natural ground ahead of the mining operation (as
draglines do).  Thus, it would be necessary to control the amount of
water within the pit to a greater degree than with draglines.  This
would probably require that wells be located in advance of the mining
operation and in its immediate vicinity to dewater the Surficial Aqui-
fer.  Working in material such as that at the Farmland site, bucket-
wheels would also be more energy consumptive than draglines.

2.1.3.3  Technical Considerations
     It may be impractical to utilize bucketwheels for mining in any of
the southern Florida phosphate areas because of the extremely wet
                                  2-30

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conditions which can occur in the pits.  Bucketwheels can traverse in
wet muddy pits only with great difficulty.

     Bucketwheels must also operate with their wheel digging into a near
vertical embankment in order to be effective.  The wet sandy overburden
or matrix embankments on the Farmland property may not always stand in
this manner.  If caving and sluffing occurred, the result would be a
very poor operating factor.

     Lastly, the overburden and matrix are  often very "sticky".  When
this were the case, the wheel mechanism and conveyors would not be able
to handle the material very effectively.  The buckets on the wheel would
not empty and the conveyors would not discharge or transfer properly.
Because of  the need to move 1000 and 2000 tons per hour, an intolerable
operating situation could  result in a very  short time.

2.1.4   SUMMARY  COMPARISON  - MINING

     Overriding  advantages offered by  dragline mining are maximum
operation energy efficiency, relatively decreased water consumption, and
opportunity for  selective  spoil placement.   These outweigh  the  lesser
advantages  offered by the  other two alternatives.  Therefore, dragline
mining  is  the environmentally preferable mining component alternative.

2.2  MATRIX TRANSPORT

     There  are  three  matrix  transport methods which  could be used to
deliver mined material  to  the plant for further processing.  These are
slurry  transport, conveyor transport, and truck transport.  A general
description of each matrix transport alternative is  presented below,
followed by environmental  considerations.   Where additional information
is required to complete the evaluation, technical and economic  con-
siderations  are provided.  Lastly, a summary comparison is presented to
identify the environmentally preferable alternative.
                               2-31

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2.2.1  SLURRY MATRIX TRANSPORT (FARMLAND'S PROPOSED ACTION)

2.2.1.1  General Description
     Slurry matrix transport (Figures 2-4 and 2-16) is used at most
existing Florida phosphate mines.  Matrix would be placed into a slurry
pit and mixed with recycled water (17,720 gpm) from high pressure
nozzles, breaking down the clay and sand matrix into a 26 percent solids
matrix slurry which would then be transported through a pipeline (16-20
inches) to the beneficiation plant by a series of large pumps operating
at about 19,400 gpm.  The turbulence produced by the high pressure
nozzles, pumps, and pipeline would all contribute to the processing
sequence to follow at the plant.

     The pumps used to move the slurry from the active mine pit to the
plant would be located in series along the pipeline route at distances
such that surges against any one pump will be prevented.  The horsepower
required to move the matrix solids and transport water is approximately
3400 HP, assuming an average pumping distance of 10,000 ft.  The trans-
port water used can be clarified recycle water from most any source.
However, water used in the pump seals* must be of high quality and would
be obtained from shallow wells into the Surficial Aquifer.  This water
is used to force solids out of critical wear points.

     The pipeline used to transport matrix from the active mine pit to
the beneficiation plant will be rerouted as the mining area changes.
This will require that streams on the site be crossed and a corridor
through an otherwise preserved area be established.  The corridor used
will be the same as that provided for dragline crossings through the
area.
* A pump seal is the closure between the rotating shaft and the pump
 housing.
                                  2-32

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                      MATRIX FROM DRAGLINE
                                                                                                   FEED TO FLOTATION
                                                                                                      (2,400 QPM)

                                                                                               PEBBLE PHOSPHATE PRODUCT
                                                                                                     (60 QPM I
                                               SEAL WATER-(210 DPMI
                                                                                          SLURRY  MATRIX  TRANSPORT
                       MATRIX FROM DRAGLINE
                                                                                                   FEED TO FLOTATION
                                                                                                      (2,4000PM)
                                                                                               PEBBLE PHOSPHATE PRODUCT
                                                                                                     IBOGPMI
   *Not considering 1570 GPM moisture in matrix
                                                                                         CONVEYOR  MATRIX  TRANSPORT
 FIGURE  2-16.   SLURRY AND  CONVEYOR MATRIX TRANSPORT
                   FLOW  DIAGRAMS.
SOURCE: J.J. CAPE, 1979

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2.2.1.2  Environmental Considerations
Environmental Advantages.  Matrix transported by slurry pipeline would
be closed to the atmosphere and, thus, particulate emissions would be
nil.

     The corridor required for the slurry pipeline would also cause the
least disturbance to vegetation and wildlife of all the alternatives
considered.

Environmental Disadvantages.  A number of streams would be crossed by
the slurry pipeline as mining progresses over the site.  A potential
would exist for pipeline leaks and/or breaks which could increase
turbidities in surface waters (especially at stream crossings).

     Pumping would also require a relatively large amount of energy
(e.g., pumping 1500 tons per hour at 26 percent solids a distance of
10,000 ft would require about 23,800,000 Kwh of electricity per year).

2.2.2  CONVEYOR MATRIX TRANSPORT

2.2.2.1  General Description
     Conveyor matrix transport  (Figure 2-3) would require that matrix be
placed onto a belt conveyor at the mine for transport to the beneficiation
plant.  In order to minimize the number of transfer points and still
maintain mobility of the conveyor sections, such a conveyor belt system
would most likely include belt sections of up to 2000 ft in length.  As
the mine pit advanced, it would be necessary to move or extend the belt
system in the same direction—resulting in continuous sections ranging
from 10,000 ft to 20,000 ft in total length.

2.2.2.2  Enyironmental Considerations
Environmental Advantages.  Because the matrix would be transported in a
relatively dry state, the potential for spillage of matrix into surface
                                  2-34

-------
waters would be reduced—although spillage prevention/containment
measures would still be needed at stream crossings.

     Conveyor matrix transport would also require less energy than
slurry pumping (e.g., conveyor transport of 1500 tons per hour a dis-
tance of 10,000 ft would require 7,000,000 Kwh of electricity per year-
less than one-third of the energy required for the pumping of matrix a
similar distance).

Environmental Disadvantages.  There may be a slight increase in par-
ticulate levels near moving conveyors.

2.2.2.3  Technical Considerations
     None of  the Florida phosphate industries have attempted raw matrix
transport with a conveyor.  However, new equipment could be developed
which would provide  a means of controlling feed rate and avoiding matrix
stickiness problems—the technical problems associated with this alter-
native.  Brewster Phosphate Company operates a matrix conveyor, but this
conveyor carries partially processed matrix  (i.e., matrix which is
transported by conventional pumping to a set of cyclones which remove
some of the oversize material and clay slimes and partially dewater the
material before it drops onto the belt).  The Brewster system provides
no real technical advantage over the present slurry matrix transport
systems, but  is intended to save on pumping costs.

2.2.3  TRUCK  MATRIX  TRANSPORT

2.2.3.1  General Description
     In evaluating the use of trucks for matrix transport, it is assumed
that draglines would be used  for excavating the matrix.  A dragline
would load the trucks, which  would then transport the matrix via haul
roads to the  beneficiation plant.  At the plant matrix would be dumped
and/or washed out of the trucks and, as with conveyor transport, mixed
with recycle water before further processing.
                                  2-35

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2.2.3.2  Environmental Considerations
Environmental Advantages.  The potential for spillage of matrix into
surface waters at stream crossings would be the least of all the alter-
natives considered.

Environmental Disadvantages.  The construction and use of haul roads
required for truck transport would cause the most disturbance to vege-
tation and wildlife of all the alternatives considered.  Trucks would
also require the use of large amounts of fuel, and result in additional
air emissions—from fuel combustion, fugitive dust, and the matrix
itself.

2.2.4  SUMMARY COMPARISON - MATRIX TRANSPORT

     Disadvantages of truck transport far outweigh any advantages.  It
should be noted that while both trucks and the conveyor method avoid the
use of large amounts of recycle water to transport matrix, this is not a
real advantage in that an equivalent amount of recycle water would be
added to the matrix on arrival at the plant before further processing.
Because conveyor matrix transport lessens the potential for spillage at
stream crossings and because it would require significantly less energy
than slurry pumping, it represents the environmentally preferable
alternative.  However, at the present time difficult technical problems
appear to preclude its feasibility.

2.3  MATRIX PROCESSING

     Matrix processing takes place in what is generally called a bene-
ficiation plant.  The location of such a plant on the Farmland site will
result in the alteration of surface soils and construction of roadways,
railways, and various structures.  The area required for such plant
facilities should be similar, regardless of which matrix processing
method is used.
                                  2-36

-------
     Farmland has proposed that the plant facilities be located on an
unmined area of about 111 acres (Figure 2-17).  From the engineering
standpoint,  it is desirable that the site be located such that matrix
transport distances will be minimized and valuable phosphate will not be
covered with relatively permanent structures.  Also a consideration in
the location of such a plant is the habitat value of the existing
vegetation which occurs on the area to be disturbed (Figure 2-18).  From
Figure 2-18 it is evident that the plant site location proposed by
Farmland is also environmentally preferable, for it occurs within what
is currently improved pasture.  The access corridor (from the existing
SR 663 and Seaboard Coast Line Railroad) is also located along an
environmentally preferable alignment, through what is mostly pasture and
pine flatwoods-palmetto range.  Only relatively minor amounts of more
valuable habitats  (e.g., hardwood upland forest and freshwater marsh)
will be affected by  this alignment.  The location of these facilities on
other  centrally  located portions of the site which are not to be mined
would  result in  greater losses of habitat than Farmland's proposed
location.

     There are two matrix processing methods  currently in use within the
industry.  These are conventional matrix processing and dry matrix
processing.  A general description of each matrix processing alternative
is presented below,  followed  by environmental considerations.  Where
additional information is required to complete the evaluation, technical
and  economic  considerations are provided.  Lastly, a summary comparison
is presented  to  identify  the  environmentally preferable alternative.

2.3.1   CONVENTIONAL  MATRIX PROCESSING  (FARMLAND'S PROPOSED ACTION)

2.3.1.1  General Description
     Conventional  matrix processing involves  the separation of phosphate
rock from waste  sand and  clay using a series  of wet-process operations.
These  consist  of washing, feed preparation,  and flotation.  In the
washer area  (Figure  2-19) the oversize waste material and pebble  product
would be removed.  The remaining material  (finer than 1 mm) would be
                                  2-37

-------
i '
i
i.,
oo
                                Farmland Industrial, Inc

                                Proparty Location In

                                Hardaa County, Florida
                    PLANT SITE LOCATION
       FIGURE 2-17.   LOCATION OF  BENEFICIATION  PLANT FACILITIES

                      ON  THE FARMLAND INDUSTRIES,  INC. MINE SITE,
        SOURCE: FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC.. DRI, JUNE 1979

-------
                                               ACCESS CORRIDOR
                                                I
                                                                                                         PLANT SITE
                                                                                                            213
                                                  OAK CREEK
                                                   ISLANDS
                                              (PRESERVED AREA)
                                                  VEGETATION TYPE
                                                  PASTURE
                                                  CITRUS GROVE
                                                  PINE FLATWOODS-PALMETTO RANGE
                                                  OTHER HARDWOOD UPLAND FOREST
                                                  FRESHWATER SWAMP
                                                  FRESHWATER MARSH
                                                                                                0    500   1000
                                                                                                 ^•^
                                                                                                 SCALE IN FEET
-IGURE 2-18.   VEGETATION TYPES  IN  THE VICINITY OF THE
              PROPOSED FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC.
              PLANT SITE.
SOURCE: FARMLAND INDUSTRIES. INC., HARDEE COUNTY MASTER PLAN, JUNE 1979

-------
                        WATER
                                PHOSPHATE MATRIX SLURRY
                                     FROM THE MINE
OVERSIZE +3/4"
W W
TROMMELS
J 1
1 1
1
HAMMERMILL
S
1 «-
S
CO
RECYCLE WASHER WATER AND FINES
PROCESS W
1 	
4 4
FLUME SCREENS
ATER 1+14 MESHL-

* 1
PRIMARY
VIBRATING SCREENS
-J 1 1
PROCESS WATER I

• w
PRIMARY
LOG WASHERS
_i I
PROCESS WATER I

^ 9
SECONDARY
VIBRATING SCREENS
1 I
PROCESS WATER 1

* *
SECONDARY
LOG WASHER
| |
PROCESS WATER 1



* •
TERTIARY
VIBRATING SCREEN
_| 1
1
PEBBLE
DEWATERING SCREEN
J 1
1
PEBBLE
STORAGE BINS
FINES
-14 MESH
FINES


                                                                        TO PRIMARY
                                            +14 MESH
                                 TO WET PHOSPHATE ROCK
                                       STORAGE

 FIGURE 2-19.   FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC. WASHER PROCESS FLOWSHEET.

SOURCE: FARMLAND INDUSTRIES. INC.. HARDEE COUNTY MASTER PLAN, JUNE 1979
                                            2-40

-------
routed to the feed preparation area where hydrocyclones would separate
the very fine material (minus 0.1 mm), which is mostly clay, from the
sand size material.  Although these clays contain phosphate, there is
currently no economical method for recovering the fine phosphate par-
ticle portion.  The waste clay and fine phosphate would then be routed
to a 450-ft diameter thickener, a large tank with internal components
which direct and segregate the clay slurry to provide a more concen-
trated effluent stream (underflow) and a clarified liquid in the other
stream.  The underflow would be pumped for disposal as clay waste, while
the overflow would be returned to the process water flow.

     Material from the feed preparation area would be further processed
by flotation  (Figure 2-20).  During the initial "rougher" flotation, the
feed would be dewatered, conditioned with fatty acid and other reagents,
and fed to flotation machines designed to separate the phosphate from
the quartz sand particles.  The phosphate particles collected from the
"rougher" stage of concentration would be dewatered, scrubbed with
sulfuric acid, and washed free of organics and other material with fresh
water prior to the second or "amine" flotation stage.  In this stage the
material would be conditioned with amine and other reagents which coat
the quartz sand.  The remaining quartz sand would then be floated away
from the phosphate, resulting in an upgraded final phosphate concentrate
product.

     The rinsing before amine flotation and the dilution water added to
the amine cells are the main uses of fresh  (deep well) water in  the
process  (6.03 mgd).  Recycle water utilized for this function would
upset the process and result in an unacceptable phosphate product.  The
reagents used in processing attach to the quartz sand waste  (tailings)
particles or  remain in the rinse water which would flow to join  the
waste clay disposal stream.  The wet pebble and concentration products
from the washer and flotation areas, respectively, would be  transferred
by conveyor belts to outdoor storage piles.  Wet rock would be withdrawn
or reclaimed from storage by means of a conveyor located inside  a tunnel
                                  2-41

-------
WASTE
CLAY
FROM WASHER f
1
PRIMARY
CYCLONES
RECYCLE WATER |I
1 • IS* ISO MESH 1

1 i
TERTIARY
CYCLONES
1 , •
; i
FINE FEED f
STORAGE BINS f
XECYCLE WATER 1 , . •
+ 1
FINE FEED
CYCLONES
1 REAGENTS
FINE FEED
CONDITIONERS
I I 	
FINE ROUGHER
CELL
1 i. j
^.
1






WASTE
CLAY
t
» 1
SECONDARY
CYCLONES

i
1
UNSIZED
STORAGE

1 i
-



FEED
BINS

RECYCLE WATER
4
HYDRAULIC
SIZERS
,
,

RECYCLE WATER,
<
+ 20 VIBRATING
SCREENS
_
n
,
1

10 • 3! MESH 1 ^
COARSE FEED
STORAGE BIN

_^
•
r

RECYCLE WATER

COARSE FEED
CYCLONES
,
.

REAGENTS
1,
COARSE DRUM
CONDITIONERS
,
1
,
•

4
COARSE ROUGHER
CELLS
TAILS _>
) !

1
SAND
TRAP

,
•


•
r

t i


RECYCLE WATER
i
CONSTANT
HEAD TANK
<
»JO CONVEVOH




*
SPIRAL FEED
SURGE BIN
i

REAGENTS
DRUM
CONDITIONER
,

RECYCLE WATER
1 1
SPIRAL
CLUSTERS
/
•
,
r i
SCAVENGER
CELL
.
"~ T '
'

* 	
1 r 	 RECYCLE WATER
t~*-?
i
— <

__y

THICKENER OMT
HYDROSEPARATOR
TO CLAY
DISPOSAL
.. .



. '* * *
ROUGHER CONC.
CYCLONES
i
1

*
ACID
SCRUBBERS
,
.

f
ACID RINSE
CYCLONES
<
1
f

	 > 	 SULFUfllC AC(0

i
*
PRIMARY ACID
RINSE
i
r
SECONDARY
RINSE
.
,\
AMINE
CELLS
*
^ 1

U- 5*"5 li'LS _ _»
TO TAILS
DISPOSAL
1
,


+
ACID

. * 	



	 WELL WATER
	 REAGENTS
1 '
SPIRAL CONC.
CYCLONES
,
•
FINAL CONC.
CYCLONES
i
SPIRAL CONC.
STORAGE BINS
FINAL CONC.
STORAGE BINS
PRODUCT PRODUCT
TO STORAGE TO STORAGE
 FIGURE  2-20.   FARMLAND  INDUSTRIES,  INC.  FEED PREPARATION
               AND  FLOTATION  FLOWSHEET.
SOURCE:  FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC., HARDEE COUNTY MASTER PLAN, JUNE 1979

-------
under the storage pile.  Any drainage from the stored rock would be
returned to the beneficiation plant circuit.

2.3.1.2  Environmental Considerations
Environmental Advantages.  Because the processing operations are done in
a wet state, the plant would have no significant air emissions.

Environmental Disadvantages.  The feed preparation area of the plant
will produce a liquid waste stream containing waste clays at about 3
percent solids.  Disposal of these clays will require that they be
impounded within diked settling areas to dewater, presenting significant
waste disposal problems.

     The amine flotation area of the plant will  require the use of large
amounts (6.03 mgd) of  fresh water from deep wells, resulting in a
lowering of the potentiometric surface of the Floridan Aquifer.

     Conventional processing also utilizes various reagents to aid in
the separation of the  various matrix fractions.  Although some of the
reagents used in processing attach to the sand tailings, a portion
remain in  the rinse water and flow to the waste  disposal areas with the
waste clays.  Some portion of these reagents will volatilize from the
waste disposal areas,  while others will be  adsorbed by the clays them-
selves.  However, very small quantities will also be present in the
effluent discharge.

2.3.2  DRY MATRIX PROCESSING

2.3.2.1  General Description
     The general concept of dry processing  involves the production of
usable phosphate product from matrix—directly following its excavation
and drying.  Matrix would be trucked, conveyed,  or through some other
means transported to the beneficiation plant.  There it would be dried,
crushed, and sized to minus 1 mm before the finer components (mostly
                                  2-43

-------
clay) were  separated  from the  coarser in  an air separator.  Several
stages of separation  would be  required  to efficiently separate the fine
clay from the dried and  crushed matrix.   The phosphate product would
then be  separated  from the remaining coarser material by an electro-
static separator.  The product distribution would be approximately 1/4
fine dust,  1/2 quartz sand,  and 1/4 phosphate product.

2.3.2.2  Environmental Considerations
Environmental Advantages.  Dry matrix processing would reduce ground-
water withdrawals  and eliminate the environmental hazards of large diked
areas now used for the clarification of water used in conventional
matrix processing.  Dry  processing of matrix would also significantly
reduce the  volume  of  clay waste due to absence of entrained water.  In
addition, recovery of phosphate from the matrix could also be increased
if a portion of  the phosphate  fines which are disposed of with waste
clays in conventional processing  could be retained at the plant as
product.

Environmental Disadvantages.   Dry matrix processing would be extremely
energy consumptive.   Matrix  from  the mine contains about 19 percent
water and would  have  to  be dried  before dry processing, consuming about
70 million  gallons of fuel per year.  The burning of such large amounts
of fuel  would result  in  significantly more air emissions than for a
conventional plant.   The handling and disposal of dry waste materials
would also  result  in  increased particulate emissions in the site area.

2.3.2.3  Technlcal Considerations
     Dry matrix  processing is  currently in use in at least one foreign
phosphate plant.   However, the matrix from this foreign operation is of
low moisture content  (coming from a dry underground mine), the phosphate
content  is  extremely  high (as  compared  to Florida matrix), and electro-
static separation  is  not required.  Over  the past several decades,
attempts have been made  to develop a dry process for Florida matrix.
Although it is said to be  technically feasible, it has not yet been
proven practical.
                                   2-44

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2.3.4  SUMMARY COMPARISON - MATRIX PROCESSING

     Both conventional and dry matrix processing present significant
environmental disadvantages, the former in terms of water consumption
and the latter in terms of energy consumption and air emissions.  It
appears that conventional processing may be somewhat less environmen-
tally disadvantageous, although future technological developments may
improve the aspect for dry processing.

2.4  WASTE SAND AND CLAY DISPOSAL

     Disposal of waste from matrix processing is a particularly diffi-
cult problem confounding the industry.  There are two waste sand and
clay disposal methods currently in use.  These are sand-clay mixing and
conventional sand and clay disposal.  Both methods entail the commitment
of vast acreages of land to very limited use, at least in the short
term; and both involve the use of dikes and impoundments—all or part of
which may be above grade.  Dikes are subject to potential failures,
however remote the likelihood, while impoundments entrap rainfall and
surface water flows, resulting in the need to discharge effluent to
surface waters.  These impacts will occur to a greater or lesser degree
regardless of the disposal method employed.  There are, however, specific
characteristics associated with each alternative waste sand and clay
disposal method which offer environmental advantages and disadvantages
when compared to one another.  A general description of each waste sand
and clay disposal alternative is presented below, followed by environ-
mental considerations.  Where additional information is required to
complete the evaluation, technical and economic considerations are
provided.  Lastly, a summary comparison is presented to identify the
environmentally preferable alternative.
                                  2-45

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2.4.1  SAND-CLAY MIXING  (FARMLAND'S PROPOSED ACTION)

2.4.1.1  General Description
     The majority of  the sand and  clay wastes from the beneficiation
plant would be disposed  of  through the sand-clay mix technique  (Figure
2-6).  Refinement of  sand-clay mixing techniques is presently receiving
research emphasis from the  industry.  Brewster Phosphates has been one
of the pioneers in developing field scale models of sand-clay mixing.
Their method of obtaining a sand-clay mix involves the placement of clay
slurry from the beneficiation plant into mine cuts where they are
allowed to settle to  12-15  percent solids.  Sand tailings are then
sprayed over the consolidated clays.  The sand penetrates and mixes with
the  clays, liberating water and producing a thick sand-clay mixture.
After the mixture has consolidated, overburden from adjacent spoils
piles is spread over  the surface and graded.  Use of this method has not
been totally successful  to  date, but work is continuing on its development.

     During the early years of mining, Farmland plans to experiment with
the most up to date techniques available and select the technique that
is best suited to the conditions at their mine.  The sand-clay mixing
would start in the south-central portion of the property in year 4, and
progress to the other mined-out areas throughout the life of the mine.
The water used to transport the clay and tailings sand would return to
the mine water recirculating system by a system of ditches and spill-
ways.  Since the mining  and sand-clay disposal areas would constantly be
relocated, the mine water recirculation system would also undergo
frequent rerouting.   In  addition to sand-clay mix areas, two separate
clay disposal and two separate sand tailings disposal areas are also
planned (Figure 2-6).  These separate disposal areas are necessary for
two reasons:
   • In the startup phase of  the operation, there would be no below-
     ground area available for waste disposal; therefore, the waste
     clays must initially be  stored in an impoundment constructed on
     natural ground (Settling Area I—Figure 2-6).
                                  2-46

-------
     Since the sand and clay content of the ore varies considerably, it
     will not be possible to achieve the proper mixing ratio on a con-
     tinuous basis.  Therefore, separate disposal areas will be nec-
     essary to receive either sand or clay wastes periodically generated
     in excess of the capabilities of the sand-clay mix process (Area
     II—Figure 2-6).
     The clay retention dams are planned to have an average height of 41
ft above-grade, but filled no higher than 35 ft  (Figures  2-21 and 2-22).
As currently planned, Settling Area I  (Figure 2-7) will occupy 495
acres and Settling Area II, 583 acres.  Phosphatic clays  pumped  to the
settling areas as a slurry of approximately 3 percent solids would, over
a period of 10 years or more, settle to 18 to 20 percent  solids.  The
ore underlying the clays stored in Settling Area I would  be mined during
the last few years of mining.  Prior to this, the overlying clays
(thickened by dewatering over the years) would be dredged and used in
sand-clay mixing or deposited within Area II.  Area II is expected to
remain active through the life of the  mine.

     Sand-clay mix will be deposited over most of the mine site  (3915
acres of the 4591 mined).  Sand-clay mixing ratios ranging from  1.9:1 to
3.1:1 sand to clay are planned, depending primarily on the relative
proportions of sand and clay generated by the beneficiation process.
The average mixing ratio will be somewhat less than the average  sand to
clay ratio of 2.6:1 for the ore body as a whole.

     Sand-clay landfills are expected  to undergo an initial period of
rapid dewatering and subsidence followed by a prolonged period of
gradual consolidation and further subsidence.  In order to allow for
this subsidence, it is essential that  sand-clay landfills be filled
initially to above natural grade.  The level of backfilling will be used
to determine the final drainage characteristics of the subsided  land-
fills.   In areas where it is desirable to achieve a high  proportion of
well-drained land, the level of backfilling will be adjusted so  that the
landfill will ultimately subside to slightly above original grade.  When
it is desirable to restore a hydric environment during reclamation, the
                                  2-47

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   40
  | 20



  Jo
   JO
Clay

Compacted Sandy Clay
                                              Panatrata to Shallow Clay
                                              Layar or 10 It. Max. Dapth
                                                                           To* Road
   eo
 •

 £
 120
 2  0



   20
                                              SECTION A. 0AM ON UNMINED GROUND
                                                        Tailing Sand
                                              SECTION B. DAM ON UNMINED GROUND - TAILINGS REINFORCED
                                                                                                                           To« Road
    0    2O   40   BO    BO
    Horizontal aeala
 FIGURE  2-21.   RETENTION  DAM  DESIGN  FOR  CLAY  IMPOUNDMENT  AREAS  ON UNMINED  GROUND.
SOURCE: FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC., HARDEE COUNTY MASTER PLAN, JUNE 1979

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     4O
   • 20

   s
     20
    -4O
                                                         Hard Clay and Llm.rocK



                                                     SECTION C. IN-PIT DAM - TAILINGS REINFORCED
                      Tailing Sand

                             2.5
                                                                                                                                - To* Road
                                                                                                                  Unmlnad Ground
                                                                                                          Cast Ovarburdan
                                                                                                          and/or Tailing Sand
     40
     20
          Clay
    -20
    -40
Tailing Sand

       2.5
                                   Hard Clay and Llmaitona
                                                                      ' '-• '~^*--^fi^nimi'*L ' ' ' ' ' '' " * i'i'*~*l~
                                                                                                           Tailing* Fill
                                                                                                                             Toa Road
                                                                                     C«»t Ovarburdan
                                                                                     and/or Tailing Sand
      0   20    40    BO    SOfaat
      Horizontal acala
                                                     SECTION D. IN-PIT DAM WITH TAILINGS FILL
                                                                                                                                    Unminad
                                                                                                                                     Ground
  FIGURE  2-22.    RETENTION  DAM  DESIGN  FOR  CLAY  IMPOUNDMENTS  ON  MINED  GROUND.
SOURCE:  FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC., HARDEE COUNTY MASTER PLAN, JUNE 1979

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level of backfilling will be adjusted  to allow for subsidence to near or
               i.'
slightly below existing grade.

     In order  to meet  economic  goals for the reclaimed site, Farmland
determined  that the majority of sand-clay landfills should be backfilled
to provide  a high  proportion of well-drained land that will be suitable
for a variety  of agricultural uses  after reclamation.  Of the 27 sand-
clay landfills shown in Figure  2-6, 25 will be of this type and will
cover approximately 3628 acres.  Twenty of these landfills will be
enclosed by dikes  averaging 17.5 ft in height and filled to an average
height of 11.5 ft  above natural ground level to allow for 6.0 ft of
freeboard.   The five remaining  landfills of this type will be enclosed
by dikes averaging 20.0 ft in height and filled to an average height of
14.0 ft above  natural  ground (Figure 2-23).  Farmland indicates that
subsidence  will eventually bring these landfills to approximately 2.0-
3.0 ft above natural ground level.

     Figure 2-24 depicts the filling of a typical sand-clay landfill.
Sand and clay  introduced into the mine cuts in aqueous suspension will
be routed around protruding spoil piles toward the outlet end.  During
this filling stage, clarified water will be drawn off at the outlet and
routed back into the mine water recirculation system.  As the landfill
mixture consolidates,  the inlet pipe will be moved either over the
landfill itself or over the protruding spoils.  Due to the tendency of
fine clay particles to remain in suspension longer than the coarser
particles,  the areas more distant from the inflow point, especially the
area immediately around the outlet  spillway, are expected to fill
primarily with clays.   These areas, therefore, will tend to subside more
than the rest  of the landfill and will, unless corrected by stage
filling or  grading of  spoils, form  areas where ponded water will stand
for a significant  portion of the year.  Similar depressions are known to
form around the outlet spillways in traditional clay settling areas.

     The size  of the depressions will  depend on the size of the landfill
and the engineered elevation of the outfall.  In general, the area of
                                   2-50

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                                                                             0
                                                                              I	I
                                                                              Scale
                                                                                                   100ft.
                                                                   fej^j^i^//)^^
                                           SHAPED: V-
                                           OVERBURDEN
                                                     UNMINED GROUND
 FIGURE 2-23
RETENTION DAM DESIGN FOR  SAND-CLAY MIX LANDFILLS  IN MINED-OUT AREAS,
SOURCE: FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC., HARDEE COUNTY MASTER PLAN, JUNE 1979

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     IU
                                           11!
                      SPOIL PILE I TYPICAL I
                                                                                        1
 FIGURE 2-24.  FILLING  OF  SAND-CLAY LANDFILL,
SOURCE: FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC., DRI, JUNE 1979
                                              2-52

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hydric influence will be within the final mine cut, although the area
subject to inundation can be made larger or smaller according to design.
It is currently planned that approximately 5 percent of the total area
in sand-clay landfills will be within the area of hydric influence.
Since these depressions will be located at the downslope end of the
sand-clay landfills, drainage will be naturally directed through them.
In two of the sand-clay landfills, special techniques will be used.
These two special mix areas are labeled as Special Mix 1 and Special Mix
2 in Figure 2-6.  During active mining of these areas, the water flow
through each of the two channels will be diverted into previously
prepared channels outside the mining area.  After mining, levees approxi-
mately 11 ft in height will be constructed around these areas and sand-
clay mix introduced into them to an average height of about 6 ft above
natural grade.  In order to speed up the subsidence and thereby allow
reclamation of these environmental restoration areas to proceed at a
more rapid pace, clays dredged from Settling Area I are planned to be
used in the sand-clay mix.  Dredged clays will enter the landfills at
approximately 18 percent solids as opposed to 4 percent solids for clays
used in normal sand-clay landfills.  The use of thickened clays will
promote more rapid consolidation of these landfills.

     Subsidence will bring the special mix areas to near original grade
on the average, but greater subsidence where the sand-clay fill is the
thickest will result in the center of the filled mining cuts being
slightly below grade.  This gradually sloping land around the protruding
spoil piles will in effect create broad swales approximately 150 ft wide
running east-west in Special Mix 1 and north-south in Special Mix 2.
The spoil piles will be graded and the entire area revegetated prior to
introduction of flow-through water into the areas.

2.4.1.2  Environmental Considerations
Environmental Advantages.  Since sand-clay mix is expected to consoli-
date more than separately stored sand and clay (Figure 2-25), the use of
sand-clay mix techniques should also result in a final surface that more
                                    2-53

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OVERBURDEN

BASELINE




OVERBURDEN






MATRIX
1 YD3
@>80%
SOLIDS





1.09




0.23
PHOS.

0.26
CLAY


O.51
SAND


0.19
PRODUCT
t
1
MINING









^^
BENEFICIATION









VOLUME
IN SITU


MATRIX
WASTE







1.25








1.55







0.51


OVERBURDEN
/
JUNRECOVERED
J PHOSPHATE




CLAY
@17X
SOLIDS



MATRIX.
WASTE


SAND
80X
SOLIDS

1.25










SAND
AND
CLAY
MIX


1.35







JUNRECOVERED
PHOSPHATE










VOLUME VOLUME
IF IMPOUNDED IF IMPOUNDED
SEPARATELY AS SAND-CLAY MIX
        NOTE: VOLUMES ARE M YD*.
             0.1 • YD* OF PRODUCT = 0.25 TONS OF PRODUCT.
 FIGURE 2-25.   MATRIX COMPOSITION AND WASTE VOLUME RELATIONSHIPS.

SOURCE: FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC., DRI. JUNE 1979
                                              2-54

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closely approximates the original surface in both contour and elevation,
and the stability of these areas should allow for greater long-term land
use potential than areas of separately stored clay wastes.  In addition,
the use of sand-clay mixing should allow for more rapid dewatering of
the clays—providing more water for recycling and reducing the extent to
which the clays would flow over land in the event of a dike failure.

Environmental Disadvantages.  Because entrained water losses from the
system will most likely be less using sand-clay mix methods than for
conventional methods, there should be a greater chance that a discharge
from the facility will be required during periods of heavy rainfall.

     It is possible that the stability of sand-clay mix areas will be
such that these areas are not suitable for some uses  (e.g., buildings).
By using sand-clay mix methods, the resultant acreage of such limited-
use areas on the site might be greater than if these wastes had been
disposed of in separate areas using tested reclamation techniques.

     In addition, it is estimated that 30 percent of the phosphate
content of the matrix remains with the clay waste using current matrix
processing techniques.  Research is currently underway to develop the
technology to recover these phosphate resources.  By diluting the
phosphate bearing clays with tailings sand, the ease of remining and
economic feasibility of reprocessing for recovery of this phosphate
resource will be diminished.

2.4.2  CONVENTIONAL SAND AND CLAY DISPOSAL

     Sand-clay mixings will also be more energy intensive  (on the order
of 160 percent) than conventional sand and clay disposal.  This addi-
tional energy requirement results largely from the need to transport the
waste materials greater distances than would be the case with conven-
tional disposal methods.
                                   2-55

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 2.4.2.1  General Description
      Conventional sand  and  clay disposal involves the disposal of these
 wastes  in separate diked  impoundments.  Waste sands pose no disposal
 problem,  for they dewater rapidly and can be used in the filling of
 mined areas  without difficulty.  Clays, on the other hand, would enter
 the  disposal area at about  3 percent solids and would require a long
 period  of impoundment to  dewater to any significant degree.  Most of the
 material  deposited would  not reach a density of more than 30 percent
 solids  in the foreseeable future.  After the clays had settled and
 compacted over a period of  several years, these areas would generally be
 left to revegetate naturally or be reclaimed as pasture by controlling
 surface drainage.

      If Farmland utilized conventional waste disposal methods, sep-
 arately impounded waste clays would cover about 2500 acres of the site.
 This area would eventually  contain impounded clays to a height of 35 ft
 above ground.  The total  acreage would be comprised of three major
 impoundment  areas ranging from 350 to 750 acres in size.  Diking re-
 quirements for these areas  would be major (about 12 miles of 40 ft dikes
 would be  required).

 2.4.2.2  Environmental  Considerations
 Environmental Advantages.  The large pond areas used for clay settling
 would consume water via entrainment—reducing the potential for a need
 to discharge to surface waters.  Process waters contained within clay
 settling  areas would also be separated from the underlying Surficial
 Aquifer by the relatively impervious clays themselves—minimizing the
 chance  of Surficial Aquifer contamination by mining and beneficiation
 reagents.  The extent to  which such reagents would move into the ad-
 jacent  Surficial Aquifer  when placed in sand-clay mix disposal areas is
 uncertain.

     While the potential  uses of reclaimed clay settling areas would be
limited,  other areas not  utilized for clay disposal could be reclaimed
                                   2-56

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in a variety of ways based on years of phosphate reclamation experience.
By contrast, long-term reclamation limits of sand-clay mixes are untested.

Environmental Disadvantages.   Relative to sand-clay mix impoundments,
the clay impoundments present increased potential for severe pollution
of surface water by clays released as a result of a dike failure.
Should a clay impoundment dike fail, as much as two-thirds of the
impounded clays (in a very fluid state) would escape.  For one impound-
ment area of 600 acres, this would amount to about 11,500 acre-feet of
unconsolidated clay waste.  The area affected by such a release would
cover approximately 6 square miles.  These would likely enter adjacent
surface waters—resulting in the destruction of both plant and animal
life in the affected areas.

2.4.4  SUMMARY COMPARISON - WASTE DISPOSAL

     Both conventional and sand-clay mix waste disposal methods pose
environmental problems.  Moreover, it must be recognized that the
proposed sand-clay mix disposal plan by necessity incorporates conven-
tional clay settling methodology to some extent  (Settling Areas I and
II), and to a corresponding degree reflects the environmental disad-
vantages of the conventional waste disposal method.  However, the
overall environmental advantages of sand-clay mix waste disposal  (e.g.,
improved post-mining topography, more rapid dewatering and increased
water recycling, decreased dike and fill heights, and reduced dike
failure hazard) clearly make it the environmentally preferable waste
sand and clay disposal alternative.

2.5  PROCESS WATER SOURCES

     The process water flow using  conventional matrix processing methods
for the Farmland project would be  about 72 mgd, most  (90 percent) of
which is recycled water.  However, processing requires a continuous
supply of fresh water.  Most of this  (6.03 mgd of the total  9.21 mgd
                                   2-57

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 required)  is  required  for  the amine flotation segment of matrix pro-
 cessing.   The remainder  is required as make-up for losses which are
 incurred.   There  are two*  alternative water sources which can be uti-
 lized for  processing requirements.  These are groundwater withdrawal and
 surface water impoundment.  A general description of each process water
 source alternative  is  presented below, followed by environmental con-
 siderations.   Lastly,  a  summary comparison is presented to identify the
 environmentally preferable alternative.

 2.5.1  GROUNDWATER  WITHDRAWAL (FARMLAND'S PROPOSED ACTION)

 2.5.1.1 General  Description
      The major source  of water used at the mine would be from onsite
 deep  wells (Figure  2-9).   The well field at the mine would likely
 consist of a  primary production well, standby production well, and a
 potable water well.  The production wells would be drilled to a depth of
 approximately 1400  ft  (Figure 2-8) and have a maximum capacity of 6200
 gpm.   An average  daily pumping rate of 5075 gpm is planned for the
 production well in  use.  The potable water supply well would have a
 design capacity of  250 gpm and an average daily pumping rate of 15 gpm.

      Process  water  withdrawals over the life of the mine can be des-
 cribed in  three phases,  which are described in the following paragraphs.

Phase  I.   The Phase I  water demand will be the requirement for pre-
filling Settling  Area  I.   The pre-filling is necessary to offset delayed
water  release by  clays on  start-up of the mining operation.  The quan-
tity of 'water  for pre-filling is based on a maximum deep well rate of
approximately 6200  gpm for 365 days (8.93 mgd average).  The water level
*A potential third alternative, combined groundwater and surface water,
 is not considered feasible in the case of the Farmland project because
 the seasonal low flows of onsite streams preclude the opportunity for
 diversion of significant amounts of surface water to processing while
 maintaining the stream system.  Therefore, any combination would require
 impoundment and therefore would reflect the environmental disadvantages
 of both methods.
                                  2-58

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in Settling Area 1 will be maintained at an elevation sufficient to
provide rapid flow return to the plant water pool upon start-up.

Phase II.  The second phase covers the start-up years, or period of
greatest water retention by the waste clays, based on conventional clay
disposal with solids reaching 17 percent and smaller catchment areas
than will exist in the later years of mining.  The quantity of water
required will be 8.85 mgd:  8.83 mgd for rock processing plus 0.02 mgd
for potable water.

Phase III.  During the third phase, the planned sand-clay mix treatment
is expected to reduce the deep well water requirements by returning more
water to the system due to increased solidification of the clays and
partial capture of the released, interstitial water from sand tailings.
The effectiveness of the sand-clay mix technique in releasing adsorbed
water from the clays has not been defined and requires full-scale
development and testing.  Experimentation with the procedure will begin
early in the project to insure that the process will be developed and in
routine use at an early date.  The degree of success for water recovery
improvements is not known at this time; therefore, the estimated ground-
water demand is shown only as a quantity equal to or less than that
required during conventional clay disposal  (Phase II).

2.5.1.2  Environmental Considerations
Environmental Advantages.  The use of groundwater, rather than surface
water, as a process water source would allow surface waters of the Peace
River system to be available for other downstream users.  Maintaining
flows in adjacent streams and rivers would  also eliminate the impacts on
aquatic biota that could result from reduced surface water flows.

Environmental Disadvantages.  Groundwater pumping would lower the poten-
tiometric surface of the Floridan Aquifer in the site area, resulting in
adverse impacts on the aquifer.  More energy would be required to pump
groundwater from deep wells than from nearby surface water sources.
                                    2-59

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2.5.2  SURFACE WATER IMPOUNDMENT

2.5.2.1  General Description
     The most readily available water source which could be utilized by
Farmland would be surface water from the nearby creeks and rivers.
Since the creeks on the site typically exhibit low flows, or even
intermittent flows, the quantity available for use as process water
could only be provided by impoundment.  Surface water could be stored
and used to reduce the amount of groundwater withdrawn.  Farmland's
proposed rainfall collection facilities include only those structures
which are a part of the mining, waste disposal, and water clarification
and recirculation plans (amounting to a nominal average of 10.6 cfs of
normal rainfall).  In order to improve the collection of such water for
use in the facility processes, additional catchment areas (or reser-
voirs) could be provided in the main drainage areas of the mine property
to collect above normal flows.  Such a reservoir system would probably
best operate with the normal level at elevation 65 ft, allowing an
additional 5 ft for emergency capacity for heavy rainfall periods.  Such
a reservoir system could also receive clarified excess water from the
clay disposal area, should such release be necessary.

2.5.2.2  Environmental Considerations
Environmental Advantages.  Use of surface water as the primary process
water source would preclude the lowering of the potentiometric surface
of the Floridan Aquifer.  The use of reservoirs to store excess clari-
fied water from the recirculating system would also reduce the potential
for a direct discharge to Oak Creek or Hickory Creek.

     In addition, such reservoirs would provide more than 1000 acres of
lacustrine habitat for associated aquatic plant and animal species.
Hardee County currently has no water bodies of this size.  However,
long-term habitat and water quality characteristics of these reservoirs
are uncertain.
                                  2-60

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Environmental Disadvantages.  The most suitable sites for reservoir
construction on the Farmland site are in those areas which would be
preserved by Farmland's proposed mining plan (e.g., Oak Creek Islands).

     The retainment of flood flows in these areas for impoundment
filling would also alter the characteristics of their downstream flood-
plains; and in the event of a dike failure, the stored surface water
would represent a hazard to downstream areas.

2.5.3  SUMMARY COMPARISON - PROCESS WATER SOURCES

     The major environmental impact associated with obtaining process
water from groundwater withdrawal is the lowering of the potentiometric
surface of the Floridan Aquifer.  However, this aspect of the mining
operation is thoroughly overseen by the Southwest Florida Water Manage-
ment District (SWFWMD) which is responsible for determining the per-
missible amounts of water to be withdrawn by all major users in the
SWFWMD region (which includes the Farmland site).  The fact that Farm-
land has been granted a consumptive use permit by SWFWMD is judged to
represent their determination that the anticipated effect on the Flor-
idan Aquifer is acceptable.  Given all other environmental consider-
ations relative to the two methods, groundwater withdrawal is the
environmentally preferable alternative.

2.6  WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN

     The large amounts of water  (72 mgd) required for the transport and
processing of phosphate matrix necessitate that a detailed water balance
be developed to help manage its use.  Part of  this plan must be the
capability to reduce the amount of water in the recirculating system
(e.g., during periods of heavy rainfall).  Excess water could be removed
from the system by either discharging to surface waters or to a deep
aquifer  (via connector wells).  A general description of each water
                                   2-61

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 management plan alternative is  presented  below,  followed by  environ-
 mental considerations.   Lastly, a summary comparison  is presented  to
 identify the environmentally preferable alternative.

 2.6.1  DISCHARGE TO SURFACE WATERS (FARMLAND'S PROPOSED ACTION)

 2.6.1.1  General Description
      The above ground clay settling areas (Areas I and II),  sand-clay
 mix areas, and the mine recirculating water  system of dams and  spillways
 constitute Farmland's water clarification facility.   Seasonal changes in
 rainfall and evaporation rates  will affect the active water  volume of
 the mine water system.   During  the pre-filling of Settling Area  I  and
 the initial years of mining, especially Phases I and  II, the rainfall in
 excess of evaporation during the rainy season will provide additions  to
 the system and help offset system losses.  Conversely, during dry
 periods the deficit due to evaporation will  add  to the system losses.
 The system volume will  aid in leveling out these seasonal  changes.

      Seasonal changes in rainfall and evaporation do not have a  direct
 effect on the water required to operate the  mine system, since  the
 demands remain reasonably constant,  with  variations due mainly  to  mining
 rates and clay content  of the ore.   Seasonal deficits in the mine  water
 system can occur, however, due  to the following:
      insufficient  reservoir capacity  to accumulate rainfall during  the
      wet  season to offset evaporation losses during the dry season;  and
      insufficient  catchment area  to offset  the deficit between rainfall
      and  evaporation rates.
     The mine water  system is  designed  to provide sufficient  catchment
area and water  storage  volume  to  level  out seasonal fluctuations  in
supply by rainfall/evaporation and  to prevent variations in groundwater
withdrawal rates,  especially the  need for increased groundwater with-
drawal during the  dry season.   The  mine water balance  (Figure 2-9)
indicates that  during active mining and for average annual rainfall/
evaporation conditions,  the 10-inch deficit in the main water system
                                   2-62

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will be offset by  catchment in  the mining  and  reclamation  areas  (0.62
mgd).  Excess accumulation will occur, however,  as  the  total  catchment
area increases.

     Normally, there will be no discharge  from the  mine recirculating
water system, for  retention areas will have  sufficient  surge  holding
capacity to accommodate normal  process flow  and  rainfall variations.
Water will be discharged only during periods of  heavy rainfall.  Farm-
land (1981) indicates that this discharge  will occur during the  months
of December-January and June-September and has requested that they be
permitted to discharge an annual average of  3.75 mgd to surface  waters.
The primary discharge would be  from the clear  water pond to Hickory
Creek (Figures 2-10 and 2-11).  The amount of  water discharged at this
location would be  about 1.24 mgd (annual average).  The maximum  flow
would be about 16 mgd.  A second discharge point would  be  used for
occasional discharges from Settling Area IIA into Oak Creek.   Farmland
is seeking a permit to discharge about 2.51  mgd  to  Oak  Creek,  which
includes both the  amount discharged from the settling area as well as
runoff from previously mined areas.

2.6.1.2  Environmental Considerations
Environmental Advantages.  Since all process water  to be discharged will
first pass through active clay  or sand-clay  settling areas, contaminants
within this water  should adsorb onto suspended clay particles in these
areas and be retained with the  settled clays.  Concentrations in waters
discharged to surface waters should therefore  be minimized.

Environmental Disadvantages.  Discharging  excess water  from the  re-
circulating water  system to surface waters would create the potential
for release of contaminants to  the environment should these not  be
removed by adsorbtion and settling of the  waste  clays.

     In addition,  the discharge of excess  water  into adjacent surface
waters would not mitigate for groundwater  pumped to dewater mine pits or
as make-up water.
                                  2-63

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2.6.2  USE OF CONNECTOR WELLS

2.6.2.1  General Description
     Connector wells would  be  located around or ahead of the active mine
pit area to  dispose of Surficial Aquifer water in a deeper aquifer.  New
wells would  have to be constructed  as areas were readied for mining,
while those  used previously would have to be capped once mining had been
completed.   The volume of water disposed of would be equal to the mine
dewatering flow rate ahead  of  the active mine.  This would be dependent
upon the amount of water available  and the rate at which the dragline is
advancing.   New wells would have to be constructed as the mining pro-
gressed or was initiated in a  new block.

2.6.2.2  Environmental Considerations
Environmental Advantages.   The use  of connector wells would partially
mitigate the lowered head which will occur in the Upper Floridan Aquifer
as a result  of pumping for  mine pit dewatering by replenishing a portion
of the process water pumped from the Floridan Aquifer with water from
the Surficial Aquifer.

     The use of connector wells would also decrease the net property
discharge by whatever amount the connector wells drained from the
advancing mine area.  If this  amount equalled the estimated rate of
Surficial Aquifer water into the mine pit (500 gpm), the average annual
discharge could be reduced  by  0.72  mgd.

Environmental Disadvantages.   The use of connector wells would provide
the potential for contamination of  the higher quality water of deep
aquifers with lower quality water from the Surficial Aquifer.  Para-
meters of concern would be  phosphate, nitrate, and gross alpha levels.
Connector wells might also  dispose  of Surficial Aquifer water which
could otherwise be used in  place of deep aquifer water.
                                   2-64

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2.6.3  SUMMARY COMPARISON - WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN

     While connector wells offer a means of dewatering the Surficial
Aquifer ahead of the mining operation while replenishing a portion of
the water pumped from the Floridan Aquifer for matrix processing,
potentials exist for degradation of water quality.  Surficial Aquifer
water from the Farmland site was found to have consistently higher gross
alpha levels than water from the Floridan Aquifer.  Additional para-
meters of concern are phosphorus, nitrate, and iron.  In that the SWFWMD
granted Farmland a permit for the withdrawal of groundwater to meet
project needs without stipulating the use of connector wells, the
potentials for contamination are judged to outweigh the benefits of deep
aquifer recharge.  In addition, the use of connector wells would not
eliminate the need to discharge in the event of heavy rainfall.  There-
fore, discharge to surface waters is the environmentally preferable
alternative providing that the quality of the discharge is within
existing state and Federal water quality criteria and standards (see
Table 3-16).

2.7  RECLAMATION PLAN

2.7.1  FARMLAND'S PROPOSED RECLAMATION PLAN

2.7.1.1  General Description
     Figure 2-6 shows the reclamation plan proposed by Farmland.  The
general types of physical restoration which would be employed are as
follows:

   • Sand-clay mix landfill.
   • Crust development on clay settling areas.
   • Sand tailings landfill.
   • Land and lakes construction.
   • Restoration of disturbed natural ground.
                                  2-65

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     Reclamation will proceed over the life of the mine, with  the  final
areas mined being reclaimed in the 24th year after operation begins
(Figures 2-26 through 2-31).  Reclamation plans for  specific areas of
the site are described in the following sections.

2.7.1.1.1  Sand-Clay Mix Areas
     As indicated in Section 2.4.1, sand-clay mixing will create a
diverse land surface which Farmland proposes to reclaim in a variety of
ways.  Most of the sand-clay mix areas will be filled  so that  they
should be suitable for a variety of agricultural uses  after reclamation.
These areas, originally filled with sand and clay to 17-20 ft  above
natural ground level, are expected to subside to a final elevation of
2-3 ft above natural ground level (Figure 2-32) .  Farmland plans to
implement an experimental revegetation program on the  first sand-clay
mix area that becomes available (Figure 2-33).  The  experimental plant-
ing program will include field crops, forage crops,  forest trees,  truck
crops, and citrus.  A wetland revegetation experimental area is also
planned.

     With the exception of the experimental area in  Sand-Clay  Mix Area
1, all upland reclaimed areas will initially be vegetated with forage
species.  Most of these areas (2931 acres) will remain in such plantings
as serve as improved pasture acreage in future years (Figure 2-12).
Other areas will be planted in trees as they become  stabilized.  Strip
plantings of trees will be made, as shown in Figure  2-34, to divide the
areas planted as improved pasture (Figure 2-12).  Thus they will serve
as aesthetic relief to the landscape, windbreaks for areas that are
being row cropped, shade areas for cattle, and travel  corridors and
cover for wildlife.  Mesic species will be planted on  the overburden and
better-drained sand-clay soils, while more water-tolerant species will
be planted in the more poorly-drained sand-clay soils.

     Farmland proposes to use special techniques to  restore the area
through which the flow of Oak Creek and one of its northern tributaries
will be restored.  After the mining of this area, levees approximately
                               2-66

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                                                                          R24E R2SE
 FIGURE 2-26.   EXTENT OF  MINE  RECLAMATION  -  YEAR 4.
 	PROPERTY BOINDAIO

     OITPARCKLINOT FARMLAND PROPERTY)

     PRESERVED

P  I  RECLAMATION IN PROGRESS

pTTTi]  RECLAMATION COMPLETE

     ACTIVE MINING, WASTE DISPOSAL,
     OR ANCILLARY FACILITIES
                                                                                 0     2,000   4.000
                                                                                   SCALE IN FEET
SOURCE: FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC., HARDEE COUNTY MASTER PLAN. JUNE 1979
                                                  2-67

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  FIGURE 2-27.   EXTENT OF RECLAMATION -  YEAR 8.
     PROPERTY BOLNDARY

     OUTPARCEL (NOT FARMLAND PROPERTY)

     PRESERVED

|   |  RECLAMATION IN PROGRESS

fi'm'j  RECLAMATION COMPLETE

g~~]  ACTIVE MINING, WASTE DISPOSAL.
     OR ANCILLARY FACILITIES

SOURCE: FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC., HARDEE COUNTY MASTER PLAN, JUNE 1979
                                                                                          2,000   4,000

                                                                                     SCALE IN FEET
                                                    2-68

-------
                                                (MiitlHtHtmilHItlMIH
                                               n.MIMIMtllHMtlHtMHttt
                                               IttltMMllMMttlMlllMMHI
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                                                iMtMIHHHIHHIl
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  FIGURE  2-28.   EXTENT OF  RECLAMATION -  YEAR  12.
                                                                               PROPFRTV B(H

                                                                               Ol TPARCFI (MU I \KMl XND PHOPI R1VI
                                                                          \   \  Kt-CL AM-MKIN IN I'KIHikLSS

                                                                               Rm.AMATICVM'OMPLt-Tfr
                                                                               4tTIVh MIN!N(;.hASTt DISPOSAL.
                                                                               OR ANCILLARY FA( ILITIFS
                                                                                   0     2,000   4.000

                                                                                     J^C
                                                                                    SCALE IN FEET
SOURCE: FARMLAND INDUSTRIES. INC., HARDEE COUNTY MASTER PLAN. JUNE T979
                                                    2-69

-------
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 FIGURE  2-29.    EXTENT  OF  RECLAMATION  -  YEAR  16,
                                                                                PROPERTY BOUNDARY

                                                                                Ol!TPARCEL (NOT FARMLAND PROPERTY)


                                                                                PRESERVED

                                                                                RECLAMATION IN PROGRESS


                                                                                RECLAMATION COMPLETE

                                                                                ACTIVE MINING. WASTE DISPOSAL.
                                                                                OR ANCILLARY FACILITIES
                                                                                                          2,000    4,000
                                                                                                     SCALE IN FEET
SOURCE: FARMLAND INDUSTRIES. INC., HARDEE COUNTY MASTER PLAN, JUNE 1979
                                                              2-70

-------
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  FIGURE  2-30.    EXTENT  OF  RECLAMATION  -  YEAR  20.
                                                                                            —   PROPERTY BOUNDARY


                                                                                         ^^3   OUTPARCEL (NOT FARMLAND PROPERTY)


                                                                                         P^3   PRESERVED


                                                                                         f    'j   RECLAMATION IN PRCK1RESS


                                                                                         PTJJ   RECLAMATION COMPLFTE


                                                                                         pTiiTTI   ACTIVE MININC, VVASTF. DISPOSAL,
                                                                                         I'iii-''*   OR ANCILLARY FACILITIES
                                                                                                                   0       2,000    4,000


                                                                                                                      SCALE IN FEET
SOURCE:  FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC., HARDEE COUNTY MASTER PLAN, JUNE 1979
                                                                       2-71

-------
                     MtllMMtHltMII
                     ilMHH»Mlltltlt
                     MMMMMMtHMI
                     MHHUJHtHMH
                                                                        —    PROPfRTV BOUNDARY


                                                                        ^5^3  (HTPARIKL (NOT I AKMI AM> PKOPKRTV)


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                                                                        P™1  RKC-LAMATIONCOMPLKTK
 FIGURE  2-3].   EXTENT OF  RECLAMATION - COMPLETE.
                                                                                     2,000   4,000
                                                                                 SCALE IN FEET
SOURCE: FARMLAND INDUSTRIES. INC.. HARDEE COUNTY MASTER PLAN. JUNE 1979
                                                  2-72

-------
 FIGURE 2-32.
CROSS-SECTIONAL VIEW OF SAND-CLAY LANDFILL SHOWING  SURFACE  SOIL  CHARACTER
AND SUBSIDENCE OF LAND FILL BETWEEN SPOIL PILES.
SOURCE: FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC., DRI, JUNE 1979

-------
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_ „_.

(FIELD
(CROPS
(FORAGE
(CROPS
[SILVICULTURE
V
\
~)
/
( TRUCK
(CROPS
3
CITRUS
(SMALLER)
 FIGURE 2-33.  EXPERIMENTAL PLANTING PATTERN  IN SAND-CLAY  MIX  AREA 1  OF THE
               FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC. MINE SITE.
SOURCE: FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC., DRI. JUNE 1979
                                          2-74

-------
N5
I
                         UPLAND SPECIES
WATER-TOLERANT
    SPECIES
UPLAND SPECIES
        FIGURE  2-34   STRIP REFORESTATION AT  A  TYPICAL  SAND-CLAY LANDFILL,
                     MADE AT RIGHT ANGLES TO THE  SPOILING PATTERN.
       SOURCE: FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC., DRI, JUNE 1979

-------
 11 ft in height will be  constructed  around  these  areas, which will  then
 be filled with sand-clay mix  to  an average  height of  about  6 ft  above
 natural grade.  In order to speed up the  subsidence,  and  thereby allow
 reclamation of these environmental restoration  areas  to proceed  at  a
 more rapid pace,  clays dredged from  Settling Area I are planned  to  be
 used in the sand-clay mix deposited  here.   Dredged clays  will enter the
 landfills at  approximately 18 percent solids as opposed to  4 percent
 solids for clays  used in normal  sand-clay landfills.   The thickened
 clays will promote more  rapid consolidation of  these  landfills.   Sub-
 sidence will  bring the special mix areas  to near  original grade  on  the
 average, but  greater subsidence  where the sand-clay fill  is the  thickest
 will result in the center of  the filled mining  cuts being slightly  below
 grade as shown in Figure 3-35.   This gradually  sloping land around  the
 protruding spoil  piles will in effect create a  broad  swale  approximately
 150 ft wide and resembling a natural floodplain.   Spoiling  patterns will
 run east-west in  Special Mix 1 and north-south  in Special Mix 2  so  that
 a meandering  floodplain  will be  created for each  of the restored creek
 channels.  The spoil piles will  be graded and the entire  area revege-
 tated prior to introduction of flow-through water into the  areas.

     The reclamation sequence for sand-clay landfills  is  given in Table
 2-1.  Filling of  sand-clay landfills will take  from 1  to  2  years; in
 general, 2 years will be required for subsidence  and  consolidation  of
 the landfills.  The landfills should have undergone their initial period
 of rapid subsidence in approximately  this time  and be  sufficiently
 stable so that the final stages  of reclamation  can then begin.   Allowing
 an additional 2 years for final  grading and revegetation, the total time
 required for  complete reclamation of individual sand-clay landfills
 should be about 5-6 years.   Since reclamation of  conventional clay
 settling areas may require up to 10 years to complete, it is apparent
 that the use of the sand-clay mix technique should lead to more  rapid
 restoration of disturbed land.   The  land form of  the reclaimed sand-clay
mix areas should be a series of  graded plateaus such as shown in Figure
 2-36.
                                  2-76

-------
                     MESIC TREE
                     PLANTINGS
 HYDRIC
  TREE
PLANTINGS
MARSH
 HYDRIC
  TREE
PLANTINGS
MESIC TREE
 PLANTINGS
                                                                              NATURAL GROUND LEVEL

  FIGURE  2-35. REFORESTATION OF SPECIAL  SAND-CLAY MIX AREAS  1 AND 2.
SOURCE: FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC., DRI, JUNE 1979

-------
Table 2-1.  RECLAMATION SEQUENCE AND ACREAGE FOR SAND-CLAY LANDFILLS
            ON THE FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC. MINE SITE.
Landfill*
Sand- Clay 1
Special Mix 1
Sand- Clay 2
Sand- Clay 3
Sand- Clay 4
Sand- Clay 5
Sand- Clay 6
Sand-Clay 7
Sand- Clay 8
Special Mix 2
Sand-Clay 9
Sand- Clay 10
Sand- Clay 11
Sand-Clay 12
Sand-Clay 13
Sand- Clay 14
Sand-Clay 15
Sand- Clay 16
Sand-Clay 17
Sand-Clay 18
Sand-Clay 19
Sand-Clay 20
Sand-Clay 21
Sand-Clay 22
Sand-Clay 23
Sand-Clay 24
Sand-Clay 25
TOTAL
Acreage
236
181
103
75
269
286
168
192
78
106
310
129
137
146
70
215
108
68
40
130
203
190
99
89
68
161
58
3915
Year of Filling
4-5
5-6
6-7
7
7-8
8-9
9-10
10-11
11
11
12
12
13
13
14
15
15
15-16
16
16
17
17-18
18-19
19
19
19-20
20

Year Reclamation
Completed
9
10
11
11
12
13
14
15
15
15
16
16
17
17
18
19
19
20
20
20
21
22
23
23
23
24
24

*See Figure 2-6 for Sand-Clay Mix Landfill Locations.

Source:  Farmland Industries, Inc.  (1979a).
                                  2-78

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 FIGURE 2-36.  CROSS-SECTIONAL VIEW OF ADJOINING  SAND-CLAY  MIX  RECLAMATION AREAS,
SOURCE: FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC., HARDEE COUNTY MASTER PLAN, JUNE 1979

-------
2.7.1.1.2  Clay Settling Area
     When mining is complete, only one conventional  clay setting area
(Settling Area II, covering 583 acres) will remain.  By the end of
mining, this area will have been filled with clays to about 35 ft above
natural ground level.

     The crust development technique will be used to reclaim this
settling area.  When the area is deactivated, surface water will be
drawn off through the in-place spillways and a perimeter ditch will be
dug to establish initial drainage.  As conditions permit, internal
drainage ditches will be installed with specialized  equipment, such as
ditching plows pulled by low-ground pressure vehicles, to promote
further surface drying.  Within 4 to 5 years, the drying, clays will
subside considerably in the settling area.  When a crust of sufficient
stability to support machinery is formed, volunteer  vegetation will be
cleared from the area.  The retaining dam and any protruding spoil piles
will be pushed down to conform to slope requirements and to fill any
depressions persisting within the area.  There are no further plans to
cover the clays with overburden since the clays are  very fertile and
when properly managed, can be very productive agricultural soils.  All
spillways will be removed and final drainage established through inter-
spoil swales.  The area will then be revegetated with forage species to
complete reclamation.  A period of 10 years has been allowed to complete
reclamation of this area.

2.7.1.1.3  Sand Tailings Fill
     As shown in Figure 2-6, two small mined areas covering a total of
104 acres will be backfilled with tailings sand.  Sand tailings will be
hydraulically transported from the flotation plant to the landfill
sites.  The previously mined cuts will be filled to approximately
natural grade, and overburden from the protruding spoils will be graded
over the fill to an average depth of approximately 2 ft.  The spoil cap
will provide the necessary soil fertility to support a good vegetative
cover.  Tailings fill consolidates rapidly, and reclamation of these
areas should proceed at a rapid pace.  After filling these areas with
                                  2-80

-------
sand tailings, 2 years has been allotted to complete reclamation by
grading of spoils and revegetation with forest species.

2.7.1.1.4  Lake Areas
     The reclamation plan includes the creation of lakes in three areas
shown in Figure 2-37.  These consist of the clear water pool at the
beneficiation plant, the drainage system left for Hickory Creek, and the
depressions left as a result of the last 2 years of mining.  These are
described in more detail in the following paragraphs.

Clear Water Pool.  The pit created during the first year of operation
will serve as the plant clear water pool throughout the remaining life
of the mine.  In mining this area, spoiling patterns will be utilized
that maximize the amount of volume available for below-grade water
storage.  Initial water depths in the lake will average around 30 ft;
but over the 20-year life of the mine, sedimentation from turbid water
in the plant water system will reduce the average depth somewhat.  When
mining is complete, the water level in the lake will be drawn down and
spoils from the margins of the lake graded into the void to conform to
slope requirements.  This will form a littoral zone around the lake and
result in an average depth not exceeding 15 ft.

Hickory Creek.  Mining in the present Hickory Creek channel in years 13
and 14 will be done so as to create a lake system through which Hickory
Creek will be rerouted.  As shown in Figure 2-38, the  upper portion of
this 140-acre area will consist of a series of finger  lakes which form a
meandering channel for the creek.  The lower portion of the lake system
will consist of an open lake about 600 ft wide and 3000 ft long created
by double spoiling the parallel mine cuts adjacent to  this area.  The
lake system will intercept the undisturbed portion of  the Hickory Creek
channel at an elevation of approximately 65 ft and serve as the area's
outfall into  the natural floodplain at this point, thus establishing the
water  level in the entire lake system.  Figure 2-39 provides a  cross-
sectional view of the water and land surfaces for the  lake system.
                                   2-81

-------
 FIGURE  2-37.  AREAS OF WETLAND RESTORATION ON  THE
                FARMLAND INDUSTRIES,  INC.  MINE SITE.
HH LAKE AREAS

	PROPERTY BOUNDARY

"Bffifa OUTPARCEL (NOT FARMLAND PROPERTY)

|V:.-.'J FRESHWATER MARSH *

t.::::v:3 LITTORAL ZONE

     * (SWAMP PLANTINGS INCLUDED IN SOME AREAS)


             0     2,000   4,000
                                                                                     SCALE IN FEET
SOURCE: FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC.. HARDEE COUNTY MASTER PLAN, JUNE 1979
                                                 2-82

-------
            75
        I ^ 65
        5*55
            9

            45 h
                SPOIL PILES
                                                   SECTION 2   SECTION 11
                                                                               ORIGINAL GROUND ELEVATION
TOP OF LAKE ELEV. 65'
                                                                 r- BOTTOM OF LAKE ELEV. 50
                                                                  FILL AS NECESSARY
                                                   SECTION  A-A'
                                                                                   DOUBLE SIDE CAST
                                                                                   SPOIL AREA
                                                                                        EXISTING CHANNEL
 FIGURE  2-38.  PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS  OF  THE LAKE SYSTEM TO BE CREATED  BY  RECLAMATION
               IN SECTIONS 2 AND II, T35S,  R24E OF THE FARMLAND INDUSTRIES,  INC.  MINE SITE.
SOURCE: FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC., DRI, JUNE 1979

-------
                 ao
                        i    t
                        HORIZ.
                        IfMtl
I
oo
                                                    LAKE SURFACE -135'
                                              WATER DEPTH-15'
LITTORAL
 ZONE
   50'
                                                      SECTION  B-B1
        FIGURE 2-39.  PHYSICAL  DESIGN CONCEPTS FOR FINGER LAKE RECLAMATION AREA  IN
                     SECTION 2, T35S, R24E, OF THE FARMLAND INDUSTRIES,  INC. MINE SITE,
       SOURCE: FARMLAND INDUSTRIES. INC., DRI, JUNE 1979

-------
     During reclamation of these  lake  areas,  overburden  from the  spoils
in the finger lake portion of  the area will be graded  into  the  mine  cuts
to (1) conform to slope requirements;  (2)  fill in  the  cuts  to establish
a maximum water depth of 15 ft; and  (3)  form  a 50-ft wide littoral zone
on one side of the lake as shown  in  Figure 2-39.   In the open water  lake
in the lower portion of the area,  the  double  spoil piles on the east
side will be graded into the mine cut  to form a 100-ft wide littoral
zone approximately 1-3 ft deep as shown  in Figure  2-40.  On the west
side of the mine cut, only a single  spoil pile will be available  to
provide overburden fill for the mine cut.  Tailings sand will,  there-
fore, be used to supplement the fill on  this  side  of the mine cut in
order to establish a 12 to 1 slope out to a depth  of 15  ft.   When
reclamation is complete, the area will be approximately  equally divided
between water and land surface.

     Since the mining of this area includes the channel  and floodplain
of Hickory Creek, raining and reclamation will be completed  as rapidly as
possible.   Mining of the area is  planned to take place over a period of
slightly over 2 years, beginning  in  year 12 and ending early in year 14.
Physical and revegetative restoration  of the  area  will require  a  period
of 2 years before the creek is rerouted  through the system.   The  period
of actual downstream flow disruption will, therefore,  have  been kept to
slightly over 4 years.

Land and Lakes Area.  The land and lakes area to be created during the
last 2 years of mining will be a  368-acre area previously occupied by
Settling Area I.  Double spoiling patterns will be utilized in  the
mining of this area in order to create a land and  lakes  area.   Topog-
raphy in the area is such that inflow  to the  lakes will  be  from the
northwest, with lake outfalls potentially located  in both the southwest
and southeast corners—so that they  could discharge to a tributary of
Oak Greek or to Hickory Creek, respectively.   As shown in Figure  2-41,
extensive littoral zones will be  created by grading the  overburden in
the vicinity of these outfalls.   Weirs will establish  and maintain the
lake outfall levels.
                                  2-85

-------
      40r
            50 ' 100
           HORIZ.
           IfMtl
                                      LAKE SURFACE - 600'
                                                                LITTORAL
                                                                 ZONE
                                                                  100'
                     TAILINGS FILL
c'
                                         SECTION C-C'
 FIGURE 2-40.  PHYSICAL DESIGN CONCEPTS  FOR THE OPEN LAKE RECLAMATION AREA  IN
             SECTION 11, T35S,  R24E, OF THE FARMLAND INDUSTRIES,  INC.  MINE SITE,
SOURCE: FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC., DRI, JUNE 1979

-------
                                                                                            OUTFALL TO
                                                                                           f HICKORY CREEK
      OUTFALL TO
      OAK CREEK TRIBUTARY
LAND AREAS FORMED
FROM DOUBLE SPOIL PILES
 FIGURE 2-41.  PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE LARGE LAND AND  LAKE AREA IN
              SECTIONS 34 AND 35, T34S,  R24E, OF THE FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, IMC.  MINE SITE.
SOURCE: FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC., DRI, JUNE 1979

-------
     All other spoil piles in this area will be graded into the mine
cuts to conform to slope requirements.  Mining depths and the ground-
water table in the area are such that grading of spoils will achieve a
maximum water depth of about 15 ft.  Reclamation in this area will
result in the creation of about equal amounts of land and water, and be
completed within 3 years after completion of mining.  Land areas (about
70 acres) will be planted in trees, the species used being dependent
upon the prevailing soil drainage characteristics.  Species such as bald
cypress and black gum will be planted along the waters edge.

2.7.1.1.5  Disturbed Natural Ground Area
     When mining is complete, the beneficiation plant, entrance rail-
road, and other ancillary facilities will be dismantled.  Only facil-
ities such as storage sheds and the plant entrance road will be retained
if it is determined that they will either be moved to new mine sites or
sold to scrap dealers.  Materials such as concrete foundations that
cannot be salvaged will be used as landfill.  The disturbed sites will
be graded, if necessary, to conform to slope requirements and revege-
tated with forage species.

2.7.1.2  Environmental Cons iderations
Environmental Advantages.  The post-reclamation land area in agrarian
use should be similar to (or greater than) that found at present.  In
addition, post-reclamation elevations and topography over much of the
site should not differ greatly from premining elevations and topography.

     Sand-clay mixing will also provide advantages in that the mixed
snad-clay soils should be agronomically superior to either sand or clay
alone.   Radiation levels should also be less than those normally en-
countered in clay soils alone.

Environmental Disadvantages.  The proposed reclamation plan would
convert the majority of the site to an improved pasture/cropland type.
This type will not support a diversity of floral and faunal species.
The post-reclamation extent of the pine flatwoods/palmetto range type
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 represents only 37 percent of the premining extent of this type.
 Species affected by loss of this habitat would include the Eastern
 indigo snake,  a species  considered "threatened" by the U.S. Department
 of Interior.

 2.7.2  CONVENTIONAL RECLAMATION

 2.7.2.1  General Description
      Conventional reclamation is reclamation associated with the sep-
 arate disposal of sand and clay wastes  (i.e.,  conventional sand and clay
 waste disposal).   Reclamation would consist of allowing a crust to form
 over  the  more  than 2500  acres of impounded clays and seeding these areas
 with  forage species,  and creating extensive land and lakes areas in
 those areas of the site  not covered with impounded clays.  The revege-
 tation of these areas would likely consist of  forage species plantings
 on most land areas,, with forest tree plantings along the edges of the
 lakes.

 2.7.2.2  Environmental Considerations
 Environmental  Advantages.   Conventional  reclamation would result in the
 creation  of more  lake habitat than will  result from Farmland's proposed
 reclamation plan.   The techniques  used for conventional reclamation have
 been  tested by the industry over  the years so  that this plan is also
 operationally  more proven  than sand-clay mix reclamation.   Areas not
 covered with impounded clays  would consist of  reformed  overburden and
 sand  tailings  which can be  worked  relatively easily.

 Environmental  Disadvantages.   Conventional reclamation  would result in
 the creation of about 2500  acres of  impounded  clays.  Following crust
 formation, this acreage would  be suitable  for  rather  limited use as
 pasture.  The waste  clays which would form the "soil" of  these areas
 would also have radiological  characteristics which would  be less de-
 sirable than a mixture of waste sand and clay.   Radium-226  analysis of
 samples from the Farmland site indicates that  concentrations  in the
waste clays will be on the  order to  5-12 pCi/g,  while the projected
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concentration of sand-clay mix  (at 2.5:1) is on  the order  to  3-4 pCi/g.
Overburden samples from the Farmland site were also found  to  contain
radium-226 concentrations above those of the projected sand-clay mix
(ranging from 3 to 32 pCi/g).

2.7.3  NATURAL MINE CUT RECLAMATION

2.7.3.1  General Description
     Natural mine cut reclamation would amount to leaving mined-out
areas in windrows, with sand-clay mix deposited  between windrows.  Mined
areas would be allowed to revegetate naturally,  as has been the case in
many of the older central Florida mines.  The resultant use of the
mined-out land would be largely for fish and wildlife habitat, with some
pastureland.

2.7.3.2  Environmental Considerations
Environmental Advantages.  Since grading of the  site would not be
required for natural mine cut reclamation, energy (fuel) savings would
be realized and air emissions (from heavy equipment) would be reduced.

     In addition, the habitats which would develop as the mined areas
revegetated would be utilized by a variety of wildlife.

Environmental Disadvantages.  Post-reclamation land use of the site
would result in less agricultural productivity than is currently avail-
able.  Persons traversing the unreclaimed site may also unknowingly walk
over unstable, wet mine cuts—which would be dangerous.

2.7.4  SUMMARY COMPARISON - RECLAMATION

     The reclamation plan proposed by Farmland is designed to provide
for the restoration of both agricultural and ecological productivity.
Both conventional reclamation and natural mine cut reclamation fail to
attain this balance—conventional reclamation favoring agricultural use
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and natural mine cut reclamation favoring wildlife use and energy
savings.   Therefore, Farmland's proposed reclamation plan is considered
to be the environmentally preferable alternative.

2.8  MITIGATION MEASURES

     This section presents mitigation measures not already included in
the proposed action or alternatives.  These measures were developed from
inputs received from preparers of the various sections of the EIS.

2.8.1  GEOLOGY AND SOILS

     Farmland's proposed mining method involves the casting of over-
burden the shortest distance possible, generally into an arc-shaped pile
in the mined-out pit.  The resulting profile is that of relatively low
piles requiring less than a full swing of the dragline bucket.  If
overburden were piled higher by increasing the casting distance, 11
percent more below ground volume would be available for clay disposal.
This would amount to a 4 ft lowering of the above ground profile of the
proposed Settling Area II (from 35 ft to 31 ft).

2.8.2  RADIATION

     Farmland proposes to use "conventional spoiling" in the mining of
phosphate rock.  This mining method involves placement of overburden in
piles such that the last material removed from above the matrix (where
radioactive materials in the overburden are usually at their highest) is
deposited on top of the spoils pile.  A technique called "toe spoiling"
has recently been introduced, whereby overburden from near the interface
with the matrix is placed at the toe of the pile and covered with
overburden from upper strata.  Use of toe spoiling would reduce the
radioactivity of the reclaimed surface soils.

     Based on the predicted radioactivity of the reclaimed sand-clay mix
soils, gamma exposure levels are expected to meet or only slightly
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exceed  the 10 yk/hr interim  recommendation  for gamma exposure  levels  at
new structure sites on Florida phosphate lands  (EPA 1976).  However,  if
a 6 in. layer of low activity soil were placed over the reclaimed
surface,  the soil component  of the gamma radiation would be reduced by
more  than a factor of 2.

      Placement of 10 to 15 ft of clean overburden over Clay Setting Area
II, the only such area which will remain after mining is complete, would
reduce radiation emissions to about 3 percent of that which will be
emitted from this area if uncovered.

2.8.3 HYDROLOGY

      Farmland proposes to use Surficial Aquifer water for pump seal
lubrication.  If treated mine water were used for this purpose, the
withdrawals from the Surficial Aquifer would be decreased by 250 gpm
(.36  mgd).

      Farmland proposes to mine over 1 mile  of Hickory Creek's  streambed
while its flow is diverted to Troublesome Creek, while about 4200 ft  of
streambed below the area to  be mined will be preserved.  However, this
preserved area will be deprived of its normal flow when the upper area
is mined.  If the flow were  diverted around the active mine area into
the lower preserved section  (rather than to Troublesome Creek), the
impact on the preserved section would be lessened.

      Farmland proposes to mine adjacent to  the lower preserved portion
of Hickory Creek discussed above.  This area will be surrounded by
active mine cuts in years 12 and 13.  The loss of baseflow resulting
from  Surficial Aquifer dewatering would be minimized if open mine cuts
were present on only one side of the Hickory streambed at a given time.
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2.8.4  WATER QUALITY

     No provision is made to monitor the quality of the Surficial
Aquifer in the area of sand-clay mix disposal areas.  If observation
wells were installed in the vicinity of these areas, early detection of
any contamination would be possible and corrective measures could be
taken.

2.8.5  TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGY

     Farmland proposes to reclaim the mine site such that forested
habitats (both reclaimed and preserved) will in some cases be separated
by unbroken areas of improved pasture.  The impacts on terrestrial
ecology could be reduced if the reclamation plan provided for the
establishment of forested corridors between such areas on the reclaimed
mine site.

     Farmland proposes to reclaim the mined areas through which Hickory
Creek currently flows as a lake system which will discharge to the
establishment of a littoral zone at the downstream end.  This littoral
zone should be at least 500 ft wide and of a depth suitable for the
growth of emergent vegetation.

     The indigo snake occupies a variety of habitats throughout its
range—from dry, sand pine-oak communities to moist tropical hammocks—
but is most suited to mesic environments.  Although it commonly occurs
in sandhills and other xeric habitats, its survival in such areas is
possible only because gopher tortoise burrows or other subterranean
cavities are available for shelter.  In the Hardee County region it has
been recorded most often from live oak hammocks, old fields, pine
flatwoods, and oak-pine sandhills.  The proposed project will destroy
some wetland, oak hammocks and dry flatwoods habitats, thus reducing the
onsite habitat available to the indigo snake.  The upland habitats
created as the result of the proposed reclamation plan will generally
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not be suitable for the indigo snake  (Layne, et al. 1977).  Conse-
quently,  the long-term effect of Farmland's proposed reclamation plan  on
the indigo snake will be a reduction  in available upland habitat and
possible  reduction in the species' population in the site region.
However,  the impact of the Farmland project on this species might be
lessened  if mitigative measures were  undertaken by Farmland.  A list of
such measures was developed following communications with experts on the
indigo snake (Mohler 1980; Palmer 1980; Speake 1980).  It should be
noted, however, that the effectiveness of such measures in mitigating
the impacts of a mining project is unknown.  The suggested measures are
as follows:
     Inform workers of the importance of the indigo snake and request
     that they not kill individuals they encounter on the site.
     Develop a program whereby indigo snakes encounte.red in the work
     area are captured for relocation to other areas of suitable habitat
     in the site region.
     Establish windrows similar to those created in clear cutting
     operations.  The cover created normally results in an increase in
     rodent populations and is thus beneficial to predators such as the
     indigo snake.
     Maintain selected undisturbed areas in early stages of vegetative
     succession using the technique of controlled burning.  Such areas
     appear to be favored by the indigo snake.
     Protect the gopher tortoise population in the site area.  The
     presence of subterranean burrows such as those created by the
     gopher tortoise is necessary for survival of the indigo snake in
     dry uplands.  Any measure that increases the gopher tortoise
     population should be beneficial to the indigo snake.
     Farmland's proposed reclamation plan includes the restoration of
398 acres of wetlands.  However, this amounts to only 77 percent of the
Category 2 (514 acres) wetlands which will be destroyed by the proposed
mine plan.  If 116 additional acres of wetlands were created during
reclamation, which Farmland (1979) indicates is possible, the Category
2 wetland acreage lost would equal that to be restored.
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2.8.6  AQUATIC ECOLOGY

     Farmland's proposed action will result in a reduction of streamflow
in lower Hickory Creek.  This reduction will have adverse effects on
aquatic biota occurring there.  Several measures which would lessen the
flow reduction in this portion of the stream are described under Section
2.8.3, above.  These would also serve to mitigate impacts on the aquatic
biota associated with this area.

2.8.7  SOCIOECONOMICS

     It is outside the EPA's ability to require that the following
mitigation measures be made part of the project.  They are, however,
provided as actions which Farmland could undertake at its discretion to
mitigate adverse socioeconomic effects.

     Because a large percentage of the work force involved with con-
struction and operation of the proposed mine will commute from neigh-
boring counties, traffic levels on local roads will increase.  In order
to minimize the effects of this increase, Farmland could encourage and
coordinate the formation of employee car pools.

     Hardee County has relatively high unemployment for the region and
has had difficulty providing employment opportunities for local youth
entering the work force.  While Farmland will be providing employment to
Hardee County residents, this benefit could be increased through their
participation in local vocational programs.  Advance information con-
cerning occupational and skill needs could be provided to local voca-
tional schools so that individuals could obtain the skills that Farmland
will be seeking in the future.

2.9  THE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE

     The no action alternative by EPA would be the denial of an NPDES
permit for the proposed project.  The effect of permit denial would be
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to precipitate one of three possible reactions on the part of Farmland:
(1) termination of their proposed project; (2) indefinite postponement
of the proposed project; or (3) restructuring of the project to achieve
zero discharge, for which no NPDES permit would be required.

2.9.1  TEEMINATION OF THE PROJECT

     Termination of the planned project would allow the existing environ-
ment to remain as described in Section 3.0, and the gradual socioeconomic
and environmental trends would continue as at present.  Specifically,
the meteorologic and noise characteristics are expected to remain as
described in Section 3.1.1.  However, air quality changes may occur due
to emissions from new sources permitted in the region in the coming
years or because of changes in fuels used at existing sources.  The
geologic features of the site would remain as described in Section
3.2.1, and the existing soils would continue to support the established
vegetation, grazing lands, and limited agricultural crop production.
Since the proposed project would cause intermixing of the nutrient
deficient surface soils with the relatively nutrient-rich deeper soils
and the placement of phosphate bearing clays at surface levels, the
long-term productivity of the site would be expected to increase.  In
the absence of the project, this effect would not occur.

     If the project were terminated, the Farmland site would remain in
its present radiological state, leaving outdoor gamma radiation and Rn-
222 flex at lower levels than would be the case after reclamation.
Accordingly, any potential adverse effects that might result from the
redistribution of subsurface radioactivity could not occur.

     Termination of the project would also mean no appreciable changes
in the existing quantities of groundwater.  The seasonal pumping of the
Floridan Aquifer by irrigation wells with the resultant drawdowns would
continue, while the hydrologic characteristics of the Surficial Aquifer
and baseflow to local surface waters would be expected to remain as at
present.  Groundwater quality under this no action alternative will
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depend on future land uses.  If land use patterns in the vicinity of the
site continue much as they are, then groundwater quality should also
remain essentially as it is today.

     Under the no action alternative of project termination, no appre-
ciable changes in the existing surface water quantity are anticipated.
Surface water quality will depend on future land use.  If land use
patterns in the immediate area remain fairly constant over the next few
decades, surface water quality should remain much as it is today.  If
other phosphate mining and processing projects are permitted, selected
streams may show increases in IDS, sulfate, phosphate, nitrogen, and
fluorides.  Slight increases in radiological concentrations may also be
expected.

     If the proposed project is terminated, the aquatic environment with
its alternating hydroperiod and tolerant organisms will remain as it now
exists  (Section 3.6.1); however,  succession of marshes into bayheads,
etc., will in time modify some aquatic habitats.  The terrestrial
ecology of the Farmland site should remain as now (Section 3.7.1), with
most of the site continuing to be used for agricultural purposes in-
cluding citrus groves, truck crops, and livestock grazing.

     The no action alternative of project  termination would have socio-
economic impacts on Hardee County and  the  central Florida region.  The
generation of jobs with comparatively  high income, anticipated under  the
planned project, would not occur.  Neither would  the population  influx
associated with relocating direct and  indirect  employment take place.
The  $900,000 annual revenue, generated by  the proposed project through
ad valorem taxation and redistribution of  sales  tax  collected in Hardee
County, would not materialize.  Present land uses would  likely continue,
but  it  is probable that the property value of the site would drop
 (relative to the value for phosphate mineable land).

     This no action alternative would  make  the  demand for transportation
 facility  capital  improvements,  such as paving the Fort Green-Ona Road,
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less urgent or unnecessary.  It would eliminate an additional demand,
posed by the project, on an already inadequate housing situation and on
fire protection, police and medical services.  While project termination
would prevent the expected increase in Hardee County expenditures to
provide such services, the revenue generated from the project is ex-
pected to exceed expenditures.  Termination of the project would also
preclude the generation of about $2.4 million a year in severance tax,
of which 50 to 75 percent would go to the State General Revenue Fund and
the remainder to the Land Reclamation Trust Fund and the Florida In-
stitute of Phosphate Research.

     Termination of the project would mean that no known or unknown
archaeological or historic sites would be destroyed by the proposed
mining.  The total of 10 historic sites and 19 archaeological sites
recorded for the site would likely remain undisturbed.  However, all of
the known archaeological sites are reported as disturbed lithic scatter
sites and none of the historic sites is considered historically significant.

     The proposed construction, operation, and reclamation of the mine
site would create a variety of moderate to strong negative visual
impacts.  Without the project these would not occur.

     Lastly, the no action alternative of no mining project on the
Farmland site would mean the approximately 40 million tons of phosphate
matrix would not be recovered in the short term (the next 20 years).
This non-renewable resource would accordingly be unavailable for fer-
tilizer manufacture, and Farmland's 1/2 million farmer-owners would be
subject to increased uncertainty in obtaining a supply of fertilizer to
meet their agricultural needs.  Project termination would also result in
a loss of considerable project investment by the corporation.

     While the 40 million tons of phosphate resource would not be
recovered in the short term, they would remain as unmined phosphate
reserves.  As discussed further in Section 5.1, the possible depletion
of U.S. phosphate reserved have become a matter of concern.  The U.S.
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Bureau of Mines has predicted  that high grade phosphate reserves will be
exhausted by 2010.  With depletion of reserves  and other  restrictions
reducing available supplies of phosphate rock,  fertilizer supplies may
become strategically important to the U.S.  in the next century.  There-
fore, denial of the permit could mean that  the  site's phosphate would be
conserved and retained as a national resource,  while simultaneously
appreciating in value to Farmland.

2.9.2  POSTPONEMENT OF THE PROJECT

     If EPA were to deny Farmland's NPDES permit application,  the
project might be postponed for an indefinite period of time and then
successfully pursued by either Farmland or  another mining company.  This
might be expected to occur when, as described above, high grade phos-
phate reserves are depleted and the resource retained on  the Farmland
site becomes extremely valuable strategically as well as  economically.
An adverse effect resulting from postponement of the project would be
the delay of socioeconomic benefits to the  county and state in the form
of job opportunities, payroll and taxes.  Farmland would  be adversely
affected in that its capital investment could not be realized  for an
indef ini te time.

     On the other hand, important benefits  could result from project
postponement.  Experimentation and research are ongoing in the areas of
phosphate recovery efficiency, waste sand and clay disposal, recla-
mation,  and wetlands restoration and creation.  Technological  advances
could occur in these areas during the period of postponement which would
allow a much improved overall project.

2.9.3  ACHIEVING A ZERO DISCHARGE

     If EPA denies the NPDES permit, Farmland could still execute a
mining project provided the project could be performed with zero dis-
charge to surface waters.   Under zero discharge conditions, neither an
NPDES permit nor an Environmental Impact Statement would be required.
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Achieving zero discharge would be extremely difficult, if not impos-
sible, and would most likely require significantly increased surface
impoundment for storage of water.  The problems occurring with  increased
surface impoundment would include increased dike heights, probable
infringement on presently designated preserved areas, a less desirable
reclamation plan, and more limited post-reclamation land use potential.

     It should be noted that although the EIS process would no  longer be
involved in scrutinizing these changes (should zero discharge be achieved),
nevertheless the applicant's Development Order approved through the
Florida DRI process, would have to be modified and any changes  approved
by the county and state.

2.10  EPA'S PREFERRED ALTERNATIVES, MITIGATING MEASURES, AND
      RECOMMENDED ACTION

     The environmentally preferable alternative, EPA's preferred alter-
native, and Farmland's proposed action (including mitigating measure
presented as part of the proposed action) all coincide with respect to
the following project components.

          Mining Method (dragline)
          Matrix Processing (conventional)
          Waste Sand and Clay Disposal (sand-clay mix)
          Process Water Sources (groundwater withdrawal)
          Water Management Plan (discharge to surface waters)
          Reclamation (combination of sand-clay mix landfill, crust
          development on clay settling areas, sand tailings landfill,
          lakes construction and restoration of disturbed ground—
          included in this plan are preservation of 992 acres of wet-
          lands and restoration of 398 acres of wetlands).

     Regarding matrix transport, the environmentally preferable alter-
native identified in the EIS is conveyor transport; however, technical
problems associated with this alternative make it infeasible at this
time.  Therefore, EPA considers matrix transport by the conventional
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slurry matrix method the only environmentally acceptable alternative

capable of meeting the applicant's needs.


     In addition to identifying the environmentally preferable alter-

natives, EPA1 s assessment has focused on developing mitigating measures,

not already a part of the proposed action, which could minimize adverse

impacts of the project.  These are discussed in Section 2.8 of the EIS.

EPA has determined that most of these measures should be incorporated

into the proposed project.  Specifically, EPA recommends that:


        • Overburden be piled such that the volume available for below
          ground waste disposal is maximized.

        • "Toe spoiling" be used to place leach zone material at depth
          in mined areas—reducing the radioactivity of reclaimed
          surface soils.
        • Hickory Creek not be diverted to Troublesome Creek when the
          stream channel of the former is mined, but rather divert the
          flow to the preserved portion of Hickory Creek downstream of
          the mine area.
        • Mining in the vicinity of lower Hickory Creek be scheduled
          such that open pits exist adjacent to only one side of the
          preserved portion at a given time.
        • The acreage to be reclaimed as forest habitat be increased by
          planting additional areas of the mine site so as to provide
          corridors for wildlife movement between reclaimed and pre-
          served areas.
        • A littoral zone be established at the downstream end of the
          lake system proposed in the reclamation of the mined area
          through which Hickory Creek currently flows.  This littoral
          area shall be at least 500 ft wide and at a depth suitable for
          the establishment of emergent vegetation, providing 7 to 10
          acres of marsh community.
        • The acreage to be reclaimed as freshwater marsh or swamp be
          increased by 116 acres so that the acreage of Category 2
          wetlands lost by the mining operation is totally restored by
          reclamation.
        • A program to reduce impacts on the indigo snake, a threatened
          species, which occurs on the site, be implemented  (see Section
          2.8.5).
        • Monitoring of the quality of the Surficial Aquifer in the
          vicinity of sand-clay mix disposal areas be done through the
          life of  the mine.
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     Mitigation measures not recommended by EPA are  the  capping of waste
disposal areas with low activity overburden and the  use  of  treated mine
water to meet pump seal requirements.  While environmental  impacts might
be reduced by the capping of waste disposal areas, this  is  considered
impractical on the scale of the proposed mine—both  for  economic and
technical reasons.  The withdrawal of water from  the Surficial Aquifer
to supply pump seal requirements represents only  6 percent  of the
minimum groundwater withdrawal required for the project.  In addition,
water will be withdrawn (in most instances) from  areas which will
eventually be mined—totally destroying the Surficial Aquifer itself, at
least in the short term.  Therefore, the economic costs  and technical
difficulties which treatment of mine water would  pose to Farmland are
not considered justified.

     In order to make its determination regarding the NPBES permit
application for the Farmland project, EPA has developed  a comparison
between (1) Farmland's Proposed Action; (2) EPA's preferred alternatives
and mitigating measures; and (3) the no action alternative  of permit
denial by EPA, which could lead to termination of the project, post-
ponement of the project, or modification of the project  such that a
NPDES permit would not be required (i.e., achieve zero discharge).  This
analysis is presented in Table 2-2.

     After careful evaluation of these alternatives, EPA's  proposed
action is to issue the NPDES permit to Farmland.  The project authorized
by the permit should be Farmland's proposed action, which is the sum of
EPA's preferred alternatives; and shall incorporate  all  the mitigating
measures identified as part of Farmland's proposed action (see Page
2-16) as well as all the mitigating measures recommended by EPA in this
section.

2.11  REFERENCES
Cape, J.J.  1979.  Data on File at Woodward-Clyde Consultants, Clifton,
     New Jersey.
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    Table  2-2.    COMPARISON  OF  THE ENVIRONMENTAL  IMPACTS  OF  THE  ALTERNATIVES.
              Farmland's Proposed Action
Air Quality,    Minor increases in fugitive
 Meteorology,   dust emissions and emissions
 and Noise      from internal combustion
              engines;  minor emissions
              of volatile reagents;  in-
              creased noise levels in
              the vicinity of operating
              equipment.

Geology and     Disruptions of the surface
 Soils         soils and overburden strata
              over the mine site; deple-
              tion of 40 million tons of
              phosphate rock resources;
              creation of a reclaimed
              soil material which should
              be superior to existing
              soils.


Radiation       Disruption of the natural
              distribution of radioactive
              material within the over-
              burden and phosphate matrix;
              increased radiation levels
              from reclaimed surfaces.
EPA'S Preferred Alternatives
  and Mitigating Measures
Same as Farmland's proposed
action.
                                                                                             The No Action Alternative
Same as Farmland's proposed
action, except that the
height of the remaining
waste clay impoundment could
be reduced by about 4 feet
by piling overburden to
greater heights.
Same as Farmland's proposed
action, except that reclaimed
surface soils would contain
less radioactive material
because of toe spoiling.
 Termination
No change in
meteorology &
noise levels
present; possi-
ble air quality
changes from
other sources.
No change in
geology; no
change in si te
soils (i.e.,
increased pro-
ductivity) ;
preservation of
40 million tons
of phosphate
rock reserves.

No change in
radiation
characteristics
of the site.
                                                                                               Postponement
                                                                                              Same as Farm-
                 Achieve  Zero  Discharge

                 Same as  Farmland's
                                                  land's  proposed   proposed action.
                                                  action.
Possible in-     Increased dike  heights,
creased phos-    and water storage  capa-
phate recovery   city;  probable  infringe-
and more effec-  ment on preserved  areas;
tive sand-clay   less desirable  recla-
mix disposal,    mation plan.
reclamation,
and wetlands
restoration.
Same as Farm-
land's proposed
action.
                                                                                                               Probable increase in
                                                                                                               area covered with waste
                                                                                                               clays—the reclaimed
                                                                                                               material having the
                                                                                                               highest radioactivity
                                                                                                               levels.
Groundwater     Withdrawal of groundwater
              from the Floridan Aquifer at
              an average rate of 8.83 mgd;
              lowering of Surficial Aquifer
              in the vicinity of active
              mine pits; possible local
              contamination of Surficial
              Aquifer adjacent to sand-
              clay mix disposal areas.

Surface Water   Disruption of surface water
              flows from the mine site;
              minor reduction in flows
              following reclamation;
              degradation of water
              jjuality due to discharges
              from the mine water system.
Aquatic        Destruction of aquatic habi-
 Ecology       tats on the mine site;
              aquatic habitat modifica-
              tions due to reduced sur-
              face water flows and
              addition of contaminants
              to creeks flowing from
              the site.
Terrestrial     Destruction of terrestrial
 Ecology       habitats and loss of indi-
              viduals of some species on
              the mine site; creation of
              modified habitats following
              reclamation.
Socioeconomics  Generation of jobs with com-
              paratively high incomes; ad
              valorem and sales tax revenue
              for Hardee County; severence
              tax revenue for the state,
              Land Reclamation Trust Fund,
              and Florida Institute of
              Phosphate Research; some
              population influx to Hardee
              County; increased demands
              for housing, transportation,
              fire protection, police,
              and medical services.
Same as Farmland's proposed
action.
No change in     Possible reduc-  Same as Farmland's  pro-
existing ground- tion in ground-  posed action.
water quantity   water withdrawals
and quality.     because of more
                 effective de-
                 watering of waste
                 materials.
Same as Farmland's proposed
action, except that flow would
be maintained in lower Hickory
Creek, instead of increasing
flow in Troublesome Creek;
and there would be reduced
loss of baseflow to Hickory
Creek in years 12-13.
                                             Same as Farmland's proposed
                                             action, except that the impacts
                                             on aquatic biota in Hickory
                                             Creek will be lessened by the
                                             continuation of flow through
                                             its preserved lower portion.
                                             Same as Farmland's proposed
                                             action, except that the wild-
                                             life habitat on the reclaimed
                                             mine site will be more exten-
                                             sive (both marsh and forest) .


                                             Same as Farmland's proposed
                                             action.
No change  in
surface water
quantity;  sur-
face water
quality would
be dependent
upon future land
uses in the site
area.
No change  in
existing
aquatic
ecology.
                                 No  change  in
                                 existing
                                 terrestrial
                                 ecology.
                                 Loss  of  jobs
                                 which would be
                                 generated  by
                                 the project;
                                 loss  of  tax
                                 revenue  for
                                 Hardee County
                                 and  the  State;
                                 less  demand for
                                 transportation,
                                 housing, fire
                                 protection,
                                 police and medi-
                                 cal  services;
                                 continuation  of
                                 phosphate rock
                                 market uncer-
                                  tainties for
                                 Farmland and  a
                                 loss  of  their
                                 investment.
Same as Farm-
land's proposed
action.
                                                  Same as Farm-
                                                  land's proposed
                                                  action.
                 Possibly more
                 effective
                 reclamation
                 and wetlands
                 restoration.


                 Continuation of
                 phosphate  rock
                 market  uncer-
                 tainties for
                 Farmland and
                 potential  in-
                 creased project
                 costs;  possible
                 improvement in
                 supply/demand
                 for  housing in
                 Hardee  County.
                                                                                                               Elimination of surface
                                                                                                               water quality impacts
                                                                                                               resulting from discharge
                                                                                                               from mine water system;
                                                                                                               increased probability of
                                                                                                               dike failure impa_c£s_.
                 Elimination of habitat
                 modification resulting
                 from discharge from mine
                 water system; increased
                 probability of dike
                 failure impacts.
                 Probable creation of in-
                 creased reclaimed land
                 areas  (waste clays) of
                 limited use (e.g.,
                 pasture).

                 Same as Farmland's pro-
                 posed  action.
                                                                 2-103

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Farmland Industries, Inc.  1979.  Development of Regional Impact Appli-
     cation for Development Approval, Phosphate Mining and Chemical
     Fertilizer Complex, Hardee County, Florida.

Farmland Industries, Inc.  1979.  Master Mine Plan Phosphate Mining and
     Beneficiation, Hardee County, Florida.  Prepared by Armac Engi-
     neers; J.C. Dickinson; Environmental Science & Engineering, Inc.;
     P.E. LaMoreaux & Associates, Inc.; and Zfellars-Williams.

Farmland Industries, Inc.  1981.  Supplemental Data Provided to
     Woodward-Clyde Consultants by Farmland Industries, Inc.

Layne, N.J., J.A. Stalkup, and G.E. Woolfender.  1977.  Fish and Wild-
     life Inventory of the Seven-County Region Included in the Central
     Florida Phosphate Industry Areawide Environmental Impact Study.
     U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, D.C.

Mohler, P.  1980.  Personal Communication; April 23, 1980.  Game and
     Freshwater Fish Commission, Gainesville, FL.

Palmer, D.  1980.  Personal Communication; April 23, 1980.  U.S. Fish
     and Wildlife Service, Jacksonville, FL.

Speake, D.  1980.  Personal Communication; April 23, 1980.  Alabama
     Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, University of Alabama.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  1976.  Florida Phosphate Lands,
     Interim Recommendations for Radiation Levels.  Federal Register
     41 (123-June 24).
                                  2-104

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                                                                     3.0
                                            THE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND
                          ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES OF THE ALTERNATIVES
     The proposed mining and processing of phosphate rock at the Farm-
land site and subsequent reclamation of disturbed land will result in
impacts on the existing environment.  The affected environment and
environmental consequences of the alternative methods of accomplishing
the identified project goals are presented in this section.  The dis-
cussion is arranged by environmental discipline and project component
(e.g., mining, matrix transport) so that the alternative methods for any
given component can be examined to an equal degree, thus providing a
basis for comparison.  Only those project components having impacts
relating to a given discipline are discussed under the discipline
headings.  The first alternative discussed under each component is the
no action alternative, followed by the impacts of Farmland's proposed
action and other relevant alternatives.

     Under the no action alternative, it is assumed that Farmland would
not proceed with the construction/operation of the proposed facilities,
and that the site would remain as is for the foreseeable future.  It
should be noted, however, that the site's phosphate reserves represent a
value which may be sought through another proposed action  (by Farmland
or another phosphate company) at some future date.
                                   3-1

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     The action alternatives are comprised of various methods by which
Farmland's project goals could be met.  These methods are grouped by
project components as follows:
     Project Component
Alternative Methods
     Mining

     Matrix Transport

     Matrix Processing

     Waste Sand and Clay Disposal

     Process Water Sources

     Water Management Plan

     Reclamation Plan
Dragline Mining
Dredge Mining
Bucketwheel Mining
Slurry Transport
Conveyor Transport
Truck Transport
Conventional Matrix Processing
Dry Matrix Processing
Sand-Clay Mixing
Conventional Sand and Clay Disposal
Groundwater Withdrawal
Surface Water Impoundment
Discharge into Surface Waters
Use of Connector Wells
Farmland's Proposed Reclamation Plan
Conventional Reclamation
Natural Mine Cut Reclamation
3.1  AIR QUALITY. METEOROLOGY, AND NOISE

3.1.1  THE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

3.1.1.1  Meteorology
     The Farmland site is located in west central Florida, which has a
semitropical climate.  Weather conditions are greatly influenced by the
area1s latitude and by the relatively warm coastal waters surrounding
the state.  The project site is subject to annual variations in both
temperature and precipitation; however, analysis of the data obtained
from surrounding stations indicates that the area sustains two general
seasonal patterns (winter and summer).  Summers are hot and humid;
extremely high temperatures are rare due to convective cloud activity
and frequent afternoon thunderstorms.  Winters are generally mild, with
                                   3-2

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 periodic  invasions  of  cool to  cold air from the north.  Rainfall is
 abundant,  averaging approximately 140 cm (55 inches) for the year.  The
 heaviest  rainfall occurs  in June,  July,  August, and September.  Very
 heavy rainfall  amounts  are associated with tropical storms and hurri-
 canes which  occasionally  pass  through the area during the late summer
 and  fall  months.  The  storms may also cause wind and water damage to
 crops and  buildings.  The following paragraphs provide a more detailed
 discussion of temperature,  precipitation,  humidity,, wind, and other
 meteorological  parameters characterizing local and regional climatic
 conditions.

 Temperature.  The average annual temperature is approximately 22.5°C (72
 to 73°F).  The  monthly  averages  range from 16.5°C (62°F)  in the winter
 (January)  to 27.8°C  (82°F)  in  the  summer (August).   Winters are pleasant
 and  characterized by bright  warm days and  cool nights.   Temperatures
 during the winter are seldom severe;  however,  major cold  waves do
 overspread the  area, occasionally  bringing temperatures  down to the
 twenties  (°F).  Temperatures of  -6.1°C  (21°F)  were  recorded at Wauchula
 during cold waves in December  1962  and January 1981.   Frost conditions
 vary  considerably between  low  and  high ground  locations.   Although the
 total incidence of freezing  temperature  is  low,  a single  occurrence
 lasting more than a few hours  can  severely  damage crops.   In a study
 conducted by Bradley (1974), 17  freezing occurrences  were reported at
 Lakeland between 1931 and  1950.  Forty-one  occurrences were reported at
 Arcadia (13 miles southwest  of the  project  site)  during  the same period.
 During the summer season  the maximum  temperature  ranges between the high
 eighties and mid-nineties, while minimum temperatures usually drop to
 the low seventies (°F).  The maximum  temperature  reported at Wauchula
was 40°C  (104°F), while a maximum of  38°C  (101°F) was reported at both
 Tampa and Lakeland.   Most afternoon temperatures  are  moderated by
 thundershowers;  temperatures frequently plunge  from the mid-nineties to
 the low seventies or high sixties  (°F) in a matter  of minutes during one
 of these thundershowers.
                                   3-3

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Precipitation.  Rainfall in the Farmland site area is abundant, aver-
aging 137 to 139 on (54 to 55 inches).  Seasonal variations are apparent
from the data; the heaviest rainfall occurs during the months of June,
July, August, and September, with an average of between 18 to 23 cm  (7
to 9 inches) falling during these months.  November and December,  the
driest months, average less than 5 cm  (2 inches).  Occasional tropical
storms serve to increase the late summer and early fall amounts, but the
frequency of these storms is low and they have little effect on the
long-term average annual rainfall.  Presented below are maximum precipi-
tation amounts projected for the project site (point precipitation) for
24-hr periods and specific recurrence intervals computed using statis-
tical procedures outlined by Hershfield (1961) and Miller  (1964).  These
data appear to be consistent with available long-term data for the area.

                                   Recurrence Interval
                      1 yr  5 yrs  10 yrs  25 yrs  50 yrs  100 yrs
Maximum 24-hour Point
 Precipitation (in.)   4.0   6.5    7.8     8.9     9.0     11.0

     It is important to note also that the annual average is a statis-
tical summary of precipitation data collected over a period of 30 years
or more.  Considerable variations can occur from year-to-year or over an
extended period of time.  For example, during the period 1964 through
1975, precipitation appears to be generally below normal for the project
area, with a 1- or 2-year exception (Mississippi Chemical Corporation
1976).  Cyclic patterns and significant variations from the "normal" are
evident from these data.

Humidity and Fog.  As would be expected in an area of high rainfall and
subtropical temperatures, central Florida's humidity also is moderate to
high.  The highest humidity usually occurs around* dawn, with the lows
occurring in the early afternoon.  Associated with the humidity is the
occurrence of ground fog, which is observed most often during the winter
(Bradley 1974).  Most heavy fog dissipates rapidly after sunrise and is
gone before noon.
                                   3-4

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Wind Direction and Speed.  Windspeeds at the Farmland site are moderate
(i.e., 7 to 12 mph) in the cooler months and light  (i.e., 0 to 4 mph) in
the summer.  The prevailing directions are from the NW and SE 45 degree
segments.  Tampa data (1960-1964) and onsite wind data do not differ
excessively, but Tampa winds are slightly stronger and are more pre-
dominantly from the east.  An annual windrose for Tampa is presented in
Figure 3-1.

     While data from nearby cities such as Tampa and Lakeland can be
used to generally describe the wind speed/direction variation expected
at the Farmland site, data have been presented by the IFAS of the
University of Florida (IFAS 1980) which suggest that important data are
not included in these data bases, specifically, the occurrence of low
wind speeds (<2.3 miles/hr).  These data are not available because the
stall speed of the Tampa anemometer is 2.3 miles/hr.  It is the National
Weather Service's policy to code all winds less than 2.3 miles/hr as
calm, and to ignore the direction of winds less than 2.3 miles/hr.  The
IFAS report indicates that it is these winds that would cause pollutants
trapped by an inversion to drift slowly in the stable layer and accumu-
late over a relatively small area.

3.1.1.2  Mr Quality
     The major industrial sources of pollutants in  the region are from
electric utilities and the phosphate industry.  Among the primary
pollutants associated with the phosphate industry are S02, TSP, and
insoluble fluorides.  EPA (1978a) reports that these result from the
following phosphate industry activities:

       "• SO  originates primarily from the burning of sulfur containing
          fossil fuels and the manufacture of sulfuric acid from ele-
          mental sulfur  (Pedco 1976a; EPA 1977).
        • TSP is generated by fuel-burning, drying, grinding, and
          material transport, as well as by some stages of mining  (Pedco
          1975; 1976a, 1976b).
        • Fluorides arise from various chemical processes, drying and
          calcining, fluoride removal for feed preparation, and gypsum
          and cooling-water ponds  (ESE 1977a; Tessitore 1975; 1976)."
                                    3-5

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                                                                   WINDSPEED
                                                                     IN KNOTS

                                                                      Oto3
                                                                      4 to 6
                                                                      7 to 10
                                                                      11 to 16
                                                                     17 and UP
                                                      Outer limit of white area
                                                      indicates total percent of all
                                                      winds from given direction.
FIGURE 3-1.   ANNUAL  WINDROSE FOR TAMPA, FLORIDA;  1960-64.

SOURCE:  WOODWARD-CLYDE CONSULTANTS, 1981
                                                 3-6

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     EPA (1978a) summarizes point and area sources emissions over a
seven county area in west central Florida.  From  these data it is noted
that Hillsborough point sources are dominated by  the power industry,
while Polk County point sources are dominated by  the phosphate industry.
Emission sources in Manatee County are low to moderate (with some
utility and phosphate industry activity), while emission sources in the
surrounding Counties of Charlotte, DeSoto, Hardee, and Sarasota are
relatively insignificant.  In the industrial counties (Polk and Hills-
borough) point sources dominate; for the other five counties, area
sources dominate.

     The Farmland site is quite distant  from existing sources and is
well ventilated.  Measured SO , total suspended particulate, and par-
ticulate fluoride ground-level concentrations at  the Farmland site are
presented in Table 3-1.  The maximum concentrations of these pollutants
                                           3                3
measured at the Farmland site were 157 yg/m  (3-hr), 74 yg/m  (24-hr),
             3
and 0.40 yg/m , respectively.

3.1.1.3  Noise
     Ambient noise levels were measured  at six locations in the vicinity
of the Farmland site in September 1979 and January 1980  (Woodward-Clyde
Consultants 1981).  From day and night A-weighted (Leq)  sound levels
determined for each location, day-night  average sound levels (Ldn) were
computed.  The L   is the primary measure of a noise environment that
affects a community over an entire 24-hr day.  The highest L^  value
determined (73.8 db[A]) was from sounds  associated with  traffic on
Highway 663 (south of the site) and nearby farming activities.  Rela-
tively high sound levels (70-71 db[A]) were also  recorded along Route 64
east of Ona due to sounds from traffic and nearby residences.  At loca-
tions distant from roads and residences, Ldn values were generally 40-60
db(A).
                                   3-7

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Table 3-1.  MEASURED* SULFUR DIOXIDE, TOTAL SUSPENDED PARTICIPATE, AND
            PARTICULATE FLUORIDE GROUND-LEVEL CONCENTRATIONS AT THE
            FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC. MINE SITE.
                         Number of           Measured Concentrations  „
Parameter               Observations   (Arithmetic Mean Values in yg/m )
Sulfur Dioxide             7122**                     3.48

Total Suspended
  Particulate (24-hr)       192***                   24-32

Particulate
  Fluoride (24-hr)          175****                0.03-0.05
   *Measurements using standard operating procedures meeting the PSD
    requirements as described in 40 CFR 58, Appendix B.
  **Data from one (1) Meloy 5A185-2A continuous SO  analyzer during the
    period January 15, 1979 - January 28, 1980.
 ***Data from four (4) high volume total suspended particulate matter
    samples over the period January 15, 1979 - January 31, 1980.
****Data from particulate samples collected by four (4) high volume total
    suspended particulate matter samples over the period January 15, 1979
    January 10, 1980.
                                   3-8

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3.1.2  ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES OF THE ALTERNATIVES

3.1.2.1  The No Action Alternative
     Under the no action alternative the meteorologic and noise charac-
teristics of the site would likely remain as described in Section 3.1.1.
However, air quality changes may occur because of emissions from new
sources which may be permitted in the region in years to come, or
because of changes in fuels used at existing sources.

3.1.2.2  The Action Alternatives, Including the Proposed Action
3.1.2.2.1  Mining
Dragline Mining (Farmland's Proposed Action).  The draglines used in the
proposed mining operation would be electrically powered and thus would
not increase combustion emission levels.  Some increase in ambient TSP
levels may occur as a result of the handling of overburden and matrix by
mining equipment.  This should be minimal because of the wet nature of
these materials.

     Fugitive dust emissions in the mining area will be minimized by
maintaining a vegetative cover on all reserve land until mining is
imminent.  In the interim between land clearing and mining, some land
will be exposed and subject to activity that may generate fugitive dust
emissions.  Between 50-200 acres will likely be in this category at any
given time.  Fugitive dust emissions generated from such areas should be
comparable to dust emissions from grove cultivation and other existing
agricultural operations.  If open burning is conducted, particulate
matter, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and hydro-
carbons will be emitted.  However, because the vegetation on the por-
tions of the site which are to be cleared is relatively sparse very
little burning will be required.
     Noise levels in the vicinity of active mining  areas will  increase
slightly.  L   values of 65-70 db(A) may occur  near (200 ft  from)
clearing operations.  Sound pressure levels of  56-62  db(A) have been
                                    3-9

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recorded at similar distances from operating draglines.  During most of
the 20-year mining period, noise levels in the Town of Ona will not be
increased by dragline operation.  Some increase may occur during years
16 and 19, when the mining operation is closest to Ona.

Bucketwheel Mining.  As in the case of draglines, bucketwheel excavators
would typically be electrically powered; thus, air emissions would not
be increased.  There would likely be more handling of overburden on con-
veyor systems, etc., so that TSP emissions might be greater than for
draglines.  Fugitive emissions from cleared areas and emissions from
open burning would be similar to those for dragline mining.

     Because of the additional handling equipment needed, noise levels
from bucketwheels would probably be greater than would be experienced
using draglines.

Dredge Mining.  It is assumed that dredges would also be electrically
powered; however, they would likely produce lower TSP levels than either
draglines or bucketwheels because of the slurry handling of overburden
and matrix.  Noise levels would likely be similar to those expected for
dragline mining.

     Fugitive emissions from cleared areas and emissions from open
burning would be similar to those for dragline mining.

3.1.2.2.2  Matrix Transport
Slurry Transport (Farmland's Proposed Action).  Matrix would be pumped
in a water slurry from the active mine pit to the beneficiation plant.
The pumps used would be electrically powered; thus no significant
emissions should result.

     Data presented by EPA (1979a) indicate that the noise levels asso-
ciated with matrix pumping are minor when considered in combination with
                                  3-10

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 the nearby  dragline.   A peak SPL of 62  db(A)  was recorded for a dragline
 alone,  as compared  to  a peak of  68* db(A)  for dragline and slurry pit
 pump  together.

 Conveyor Transport.  Matrix  would be placed on an electrically-powered
 belt  conveyor for transport  from the active mine pit to the benefici-
 ation plant.  TSP levels near the conveyor would likely be higher than
 if slurry pumping were used.

      Noise  levels associated with conveyor transport would be greater
 than  for slurry pumping.  Woodward-Clyde Consultants (1981)  indicates
 that  Ldn levels on  the order of  70 db(A) could occur at a distance of
 125 ft  from such an operating conveyor.  Levels on the order of 60 db(A)
 would occur at 1250 ft.  This noise would  also occur along the total
 length  of the conveyor.

 Truck Transport.  Matrix would be  transported  over haul roads to  the
 beneficiation plant in large  diesel-powered  trucks.   This would result
 in higher TSP as well  as combustion emissions  than either slurry  trans-
 port or conveyor transport.

     Noise  levels associated with  truck transport  would also be sub-
 stantially higher than for slurry pumping.  The noise produced would  be
more intermittent than for conveyor  transport,  but could  be  of a  higher
 level when it occurs (i.e., when a  truck would pass  by).

 3.1.2.2.3  Matrix Processing
 Conventional Matrix Processing (Farmland's Proposed  Action).   Conven-
 tional matrix processing methods utilize flotation reagents  in order  to
separate waste materials from the phosphate rock.  Since  some  of  these
reagents are volatile  (e.g.,  kerosene),  local  increases in their  atmos-
pheric levels are expected.
*Included outside noises as well.
                                  3-11

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     Noise levels associated with a conventional matrix processing plant
are presented by EPA (1979a).  At a distance of 225 ft, the average SPL
was determined to be 72 db(A).  The anticipated L   value for the oper-
ating plant is expected to be on the order of 60 db(A) at a distance of
900 ft (Woodward-Clyde Consultants 1981).  This will result in a contri-
bution of about 40 db(A) to the composite L,  noise level at the Town of
                                           an
Ona.
Dry Matrix Processing.  Dry processing would require that matrix be
dried, crushed, and sized (by air separation and/or electrostatic
separation).  This would require the burning of fuel (for drying) and
result in elevated air pollutant (e.g., TSP) levels in the area.

     Noise levels associated with a dry matrix processing plant are
expected to be somewhat greater than discussed above for conventional
(wet) processing.

3.1.2.2.4  Reclamation

Farmland's Proposed Reclamation Plan.  Farmland proposes to reclaim much
of the mine site as agricultural land.  This will require that the
windrows of overburden created during the mining operation be leveled
using heavy equipment.  The operation of this equipment will result in
local increases in combustion emission levels.

     The operation of heavy equipment during leveling, etc. would result
in increased noise levels in the area.  Data presented by EPA (1979a)
indicate that such SPLs could be on the order of 36-93 db(A) within the
area being reclaimed  (i.e., at distances of 30-200 ft).  The maximum
values measured were at close proximity (30 ft) to an operating pay-
scraper.  Noise levels would be mostly on the order of 75 db(A) at a
distance of 200 ft.

Conventional Reclamation.  Conventional reclamation is the type of
reclamation which has been practiced in the Florida phosphate industry
                                  3-12

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over the past years.   Major features of this type of reclamation are the
creation of extensive areas of improved pasture on reclaimed clay
settling areas and numerous land and lake areas.

     Because of the nearly flat topography which results from the
settling of clay with the separate disposal areas, little grading of
such areas would be necessary to produce a surface suitable for use as
pasture.  Therefore,  emissions and noise levels from equipment would
likely be less than for reclamation of sand-clay mix areas.  The net
difference would be dependent upon the amount of ditching, etc., re-
quired to dry the upper layer of separate clay disposal areas to the
point where seeding could be accomplished.

Natural Mine Cut Reclamation.  Natural mine cut reclamation would
eliminate the need for overburden leveling, etc., and thus result in a
decrease in the amount of combustion emissions from heavy equipment.
The noise levels associated with the operation of this equipment would
also be less than for Farmland's proposed reclamation plan and less than
conventional reclamation.

3.2  GEOLOGY AND SOILS

3.2.1  THE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

3.2.1.1  Geology
     The Farmland site is located in the northern portion of the DeSoto
Plain physiographic province, just south of the Polk Upland.  Elevations
at the site average about 80 to 85 ft on this relatively flat plain.

     The site area is underlain by an average of 20.5 ft of Pliocene to
Recent surficial deposits consisting primarily of sand and clay.
Beneath the surficial deposits is the upper Hawthorn Formation  (of
Miocene age), which averages about 20.5 ft in thickness and is the ore
bearing zone.  At the base of the ore zone are clays and limestones
comprising the lower Hawthorn Formation.
                                  3-13

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     With respect to the underlying basement structure, the site is
situated within the western portion of the Osceola low, on the southwest
flank of the Ocala uplift.  The Osceola low was downdropped along  the
Kissimmee faulted flexure during formation of the Ocala uplift in
Mesozoic time.  These features represent local basement structures on
the western flank of the Peninsular Arc of Florida.

     Shallow marshy depressions occurring in the area may have resulted
from local solutioning of discontinuous limestone lenses within the
overburden.  However, a high piezometric surface (well above the lime-
stone bedrock) has been found in the area; thus, karst development
resulting from solutioning and collapse is highly unlikely.

3.2.1.2  Soils
     The nearly level and gently sloping soils on the Farmland mine site
are representative of large areas of Hardee and surrounding counties.
Most of these soils are deep, very sandy (about 96 percent), acidic (pH
of 4 to 5) and generally low in fertility for crop production (see
Tables 3-2 and 3-3).  They are also characterized as having generally
poor surface and internal drainage.  These soils support the following
crops, vegetation, or land use on the Farmland site in decreasing order
of acreage:  improved pasture/cropland, citrus, forested wetlands, pine
flatwood/palmetto range, forested uplands and non-forested wetlands.

3.2.1.2.1  Soil Types
     Soil types on the mine site were first mapped in 1950 by the U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA), Soil Conservation Service (SCS).
Fifteen soil types were mapped in the 1950 soil survey (Figure 3-2),
with apparent minimum delineations of less than 2 acres.  In 1979,
approximately 1250 acres of the northern portion of the mine site
(Sections 27, 28, 34, 35, and part of 36) were remapped by the SCS as
part of an updated soil survey of Hardee County.  More differences in
soils were recognized in the 1979 soil survey—resulting in more soil
types mapped, and some changes in soil designations.
                                  3-14

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01
         Table  3-2.   PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION FOR NATURAL SOIL ON THE FARMLAND INDUSTRIES,  INC.  SITE  AND
                     SOIL MATRIX PROCESSING WASTE MATERIALS.



% Sand
% Silt
% Clay and Colloidal
Organic Matter
Surface Soils*
(0-6")

96.4
1.7

1.9
Sand
0.8

63.8
14.5

21.7
:Clay Mix
4.6

83.8
7.0

9.2
Tailing
Sand

100
0

0
Phosphatic
Clay

19.8
32.7

47.5
Overburden**
2-5 feet 5-10 feet 10-20

89.7 82.9 ' 58
2.1 1.2 4

8.2 15.9 37

feet

.0
.5

.5
          *Averages  for 8 range,  pasture and cropped soils,
         **Averages  for 3 samples.

         Source:   Zellars-Williatns,  Inc. (1978).

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Table 3-3.  CHEMICAL DATA FOR NATURAL SOIL ON THE FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC. SITE AND MATRIX PROCESSING WASTE1.


Soil 0-6 inches
Crops
Native and
Range Pasture2
Overburden1*
Sand: Clay Mix3 Tailing
0.8 4.6 Sand
Phosphatic
Clay
2-5
Native
Range
feet
Improved
Pasture
5-10
Native
Range
feet
Improved
Pasture
10-20
Native
Range
feet
Improved
Pasture

Calcium (Ca)
Ibs/acre
Magnesium (Mg)
Ibs/acre
Phosphorus (P)
Ibs/acre
Potassium (K)
Ibs/acre
pH
Ra-226 Picocuries
per gram
360 995
66 78
8 30
40 30
4.2 5.0
>0.1 0.35
>20,011 >20,011 >3,999
7,889 6,849 112
>666 >666 >133
403 203 17.0
7.6 7.7 6.3
4.1 3.3 2.4
>20,011
7,890
>666
901
7.7
6.1
324
12
>133
4
4.4
>1,948
142
>133
18
5.5
264
11
>133
5
4.6
6.26
>3,999
681
>133
30
5.7
3.06
>3,999
95
>133
24
4.6
32.3
>3,999
1,602
>133
340
7.1
5.6
'Calculated or taken from Radiation and Agricultural Productivity Analysis of Reclaimed Soils for Farmland's Hardee County Mine,
 Zellars-Williams, Inc.  June 1978.
2Avcrages for 2 crops and 2 types of pasture.   Radium-226 for improved pasture only.
'Tailing sand and phosphatic clay from beneficiation.
*Approximate depths.
5True value may be ± 50% because of less than optimum sample size.
6From 0.5 to 10 feet depth.

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                     MM   I.-^T '^~  t
ALIA VIAL BOTTOM LAND   4"

BKA[»MO.Sfj.        Be-

BKKiHTONPIAl        Bh
                                                                            SYMBOL SOU TVPI

                                                                                   IMMOKALH l.i.

                                                                                   LKIN r j.

                                                                                   ONA f.v

                                                                                   PLlM«H»f.».
BLADfN I'.N.

BA\BOKIIIji.

I RLSim*T>R SVIAMP
                                                                            Bn

                                                                            B>
                                                                                   RLTLKDCMJ.

                                                                                   ST. LH IMJ
                                      SYMBOL

                                       -
FIGURE  3-2.   SOIL TYPES  ON THE FARMLAND  INDUSTRIES,
                INC. MINE SITE.
                                                                                          2,000   4,000
                           SCALE IN FEET
SOURCE: FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC., DRI, JUNE 1979
                                                    3-17

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     Soils at the Farmland site were formed on sand deposits, which
occurred during the Pleistocene epoch of geologic time.  Of the five
soil forming factors (parent material, topography, climate, plant and
animal life, and time), parent material, topography, and climate were
most involved in the formation of the site soils.  In particular, the
soil-water relations in this area of relatively high rainfall, coarse
textured soils, poorly developed surface drainage and relatively high
groundwater, greatly influence soil characteristics.

     A relatively small area of soils (approximately 10 percent of the
site) is mapped as organic soil (peat or muck), the remainder being
mineral soils with less than 2 percent organic matter.  The peat and
muck soils are generally located in broad, low flats vegetated with
freshwater marsh/swamp species.  While the mineral soils lie at slightly
higher elevations than the organic soils, it is estimated  that soils in
75 percent of the areas have slopes of less than  2 percent; slopes
rarely, if ever, exceed 5 percent.

     All soils are very deep.  Typical soil profiles are described by
the SCS to greater than 55 inches in depth, and to an average of over 70
inches.  However, these soil depths are not indicative of  rooting
depths, for the relatively shallow groundwater tables present during
much of the year inhibit root development at such depths.

     The SCS descriptions indicate that all of the mineral soils in the
area are comprised of 85 percent or more fine sand or sand in the sur-
face layers.  Clay content of all mineral soils is estimated to be less
than 10 percent, except for some areas where clay was found below a
depth of 30 inches.  Surface soils on the Farmland site were found to be
about 96 percent sand and 4 percent silt, clay, and colloidal organic
matter.

3.2.1.2.2  Drainage and Permeability
     Drainage from all soils on the mine area is limited because of the
relatively high groundwater table and the lack of well-defined surface
                                  3-18

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 drainage  systems.   Approximately 10 percent of the land area is very
 poorly  drained,  implying  that  the water  table remains at or on the
 surface a great  part  of the  time.   Over  75  percent of the land area is
 estimated to be  poorly drained,  with the water table commonly at or
 within  10 inches of the surface  for 2 to 6  months a year.

      Surface soils  of the Farmland site  are considered to be permeable
 (5-10 inches/hour), but the  permeability of more than 60 percent of site
 soils is  restricted by a hard  pan located between 20 and 40 inches
 beneath the surface.  This pan,  which may be 10 to 20 inches thick,  has
 a permeability of about 0.8-2.5  inches/hour.

 3.2.1.2.3  Acidity
     Nearly all  the soils of the Farmland site are acidic.   The organic
 soils (peat and  muck) are extremely acid (pH below 4.5),  but are of
 limited extent (10  percent).   The  soils  over about 60 percent of the
 site area are very  strongly  acid (ph 4.5 to 5.0)  through the surface
 horizons,  and strongly acid  (ph  5.1 to 5.5)  in deeper horizons.   The
 remaining mineral soils range  from neutral  to strongly acid.

 3.2.1.2.4  Agricultural Productivity
     The  soil acidity, low clay  content,  and  low organic matter  content
 of most.of the soils of the Farmland site contribute greatly to  the low
 availability of most plant nutrients for  growing  crops.   In their  1979
 soil survey, the SCS assigned  capability  classes  to  soils  found  on the
 Farmland  site.    Capability classes  range  from Class  3 soils having
 severe limitations  that reduce the  choice of  plants,  require special
 conservation practices,  or both, to  Class 7  soils  having very severe
 limitations that make them unsuited  to cultivation and restrict  their
 use largely to  pasture,  range,  woodland, and  wildlife.  More  than  half
 of the site area is comprised of Class 4 soils  having very  severe
 limitations that reduce  the choice  of plants, require very  careful
management,  or  both.  The  capability  limitation on approximately 90
percent of the  area is water, in or  on the  soil surface, interfering
                                  3-19

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with plant growth or cultivation.  The limitation on the remaining soil
area is droughtiness.

3.2.2  ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES OF THE ALTERNATIVES

3.2.2.1  The No Action Alternative
     Under the no action alternative the geologic features of the site
would likely remain as described in Section 3.2.1.  The existing soils
would continue to support an established vegetative cover, grazing land
for livestock, and the production of limited agricultural crops.  While
current land use will not apparently adversely affect existing soils,
with the possible exception of slight erosion, it will not significantly
benefit them either.  Therefore they are not expected to support signif-
icantly greater agricultural productivity than at present.

3.2.2.2  The Action Alternatives, Including The Proposed Action
3.2.2.2.1  Mining
Dragline Mining (Farmland's Proposed Action).  Dragline mining requires
that woody vegetation be removed from the areas to be mined in advance
of the actual mining operation.  This will disturb surface soils and may
result in increased soil erosion.  While mining is to proceed at a rate
of about 250 acres per year, Farmland indicates that the average advance
clearing in front of the mining operation will be about 20 acres.  The
resultant impact (beyond that of actual mining) should be small.

     Dragline mining will disturb the surface soils, entire overburden
section, and the upper portion of the Hawthorn Formation containing the
phosphate matrix over 4951 acres of the 7810-acre Farmland site.  The
total depth of disturbance will average about 41 ft, with a maximum of
about 75 ft.  Soils in the areas to be mined will undergo major dis-
turbance and loss of identification.

     Solution cavities are known to exist in the Ocala Group, which lies
at a depth of 400 ft or more in this area.  Due to the great depth to
                                   3-20

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these units,  no collapse features should result from loading, construc-
tion or other near surface activities.  In addition, there will be no
increase in solutioning activity resulting from mining activities, as
the water table will not be lowered below the limestone units.  There-
fore, no collapse features resulting from the planned activities on
local conditions are anticipated.

Dredge Mining.  As with dragline mining, dredge mining would result in
the disturbance of surface soils in advance of the mining operation, and
total disturbance of the entire overburden section during mining.  The
pre-mining disturbance may be greater than that for dragline mining
because of the dredge's materials handling limitations (e.g., stumps,
etc.).

Bucketwheel Mining.  The impacts of bucketwheel mining on geology and
soils would be essentially the same as  those of dragline mining, des-
cribed above.

3.2.2.2.2  Waste Sand and Clay Disposal
Sand-Clay Mixing  (Farmland's Proposed Action).  Most of the waste sand
and  clay generated by the processing of matrix will be disposed  of
through sand-clay mixing.  These materials will also be stored sepa-
rately where sand-clay mixing is not  feasible, so  that portions  of  the
site will also have surfaces covered by these separate waste  products.
The  areas to be occupied by the various waste products are:   sand-clay
mix,  3915 acres;  clay,  1078* acres; and sand, 104  acres.  The locations
of  the various disposal areas are  shown in Figure  2-6  (page  2-9).

      Selected physical  and chemical properties of  sand, clay, and sand-
clay mix materials  from the Farmland  site were determined by Zellars-
Williams, Inc.  (1978).  Farmland site soil samples were also collected.

*The 1078 acres of  impounded clays include Areas  I (495 acres)  and  II
  (583  acres).  Clays  from Area  I will be dredged  for  use  in sand-clay
  mixing prior  to  the  completion of mining.   Therefore,  only 583  acres  of
  separately  impounded  clays will remain at the end of  the  life  of the  mine
                                   3-21

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Sand-clay mixtures covering the expected ratios to be used in Farmland's
mining operation (1.9:1 to 3.1:1) were also prepared for analysis by
Bromwell Engineering, Inc., of Lakeland, Florida.  These mixtures had
sandtclay ratios of 0.8 and 4.6 (on a weight basis).  Laboratory anal-
yses performed on each of the materials described above included:
calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and Radium-226 content; pH;
and particle size distribution.  Particle size and chemical data,
including radio-chemical data, are presented in Tables 3-2 and 3-3,
respectively.  The physical and chemical characteristics of the various
waste materials are discussed in the following paragraphs.

Sand-Clay Mixture.  The two sand-clay mixtures tested would be clas-
sified as either a sandy clay loam or a loamy sand.  Data in Table 3-2
show that tailing sand, one component of the sand-clay mix, is 100
percent sand.  The other component, phosphatic clay, contains approxi-
mately 20 percent sand, 33 percent silt, and 47 percent clay-sized
particles.

     The chemical characteristics of the sand-clay mixes (Table 3-3) are
also agriculturally superior to those of the natural pre-mining soils.
Amounts of phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium generally range
from 10 to 100 times greater in the mixes.  The higher levels of these
plant nutrients are in the range of normally productive soils, and would
prevent the need for adding fertilizers containing these particular
nutrients.  The increased pH values of the mixes indicate that the
application of lime (formerly required on the pre-mining soils for
economical agricultural production) will not be required for the sand-
clay mix.  Applications of nitrogen fertilizer will be required on the
mixes in order to maximize agricultural production, which is also true
for the existing soils.  Increased nitrogen use efficiency on the sand-
clay mixes is anticipated because of reduced leaching rates and ad-
sorptive properties of the clay.

     Considerably more radioactivity is associated with the sand-clay
mixes than with the natural pre-mining soil.  The data suggest that the
                                  3-22

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phosphatic clay contributes more radioactivity than the tailing sand.
These levels of radium-226 (Ra-226) are within the range projected for
similar mining developments.

Clay.  The undesirable agricultural characteristics of waste clay
include poor tilth, delayed seed bed preparation, and cool soil temp-
eratures.  Such clays also present limitations with regard to future
development (i.e., poor foundation material).

     The chemical characteristics of clay waste, as evaluated from the
laboratory data obtained, are at lease as favorable as those of the
sand-clay mixes and much superior  (agriculturally) to those of the pre-
mining soils.

Sand.  The most undesirable agricultural characteristic of waste  sand is
its inability to retain water.  For this reason  it is not suitable as a
seed bed or root zone material.  Because of  these limitations, Farmland
proposes to cap sand disposal areas with a 2-foot layer of overburden
(see next section).

     Chemical analyses of waste sand indicate  that, with  the exception
of potassium, it contains higher nutrient levels than existing surface
soils.

Conventional Sand  and Clay Disposal.   Disposal of waste  sand and  clay as
conventionally practiced in  the Florida phosphate  industry would  in-
crease  the  extent  of the site to ultimately  be covered with  diked clay
wastes  from 583 acres  (using sand-clay mixing) to  about  2500 acres.
Such areas  would have limitations  similar to those  described above for
the  separate clay  disposal area under  Sand-Clay Mixing.   The  larger
dikes,  etc., used  for conventional clay disposal would  also  be of
greater height  than those  for sand-clay mix  areas and  could  be more
susceptible to  erosion.
                                   3-23

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3.2.2.2.3  Reclamation
Farmland's Proposed Reclamation Plan.  The physical characteristics of
the sand-clay mixtures to be used in reclamation will be agriculturally
superior to those of the natural pre-mining soils.  The larger propor-
tion of clay and other larger size particles in the sand-clay mix will
greatly increase the water holding capacity in the vegetation root zone
and, to some degree, alleviate the droughtiness associated with the pre-
mining soils.  This added water holding capacity will also reduce the
rapid leaching of soluble plant nutrients.  The improved soil structure
will also likely result in increased organic matter accumulation over a
period of years.

     Areas of separately stored clays will have more limited value
because of their undesirable agricultural characteristics.  With proper
drainage, however, they should at least be suitable for pasture.  The
structural stability problems associated with such areas are an addi-
tional major concern.

     Areas of separately stored sands will be capped with a 2-foot layer
of overburden.  Particle size data presented in Table 3-2 indicate that
the overburden consists of strata in which particle size ranges from a
sand to a sandy clay loam.  These soil textures encompass the range of
those previously discussed for the sand-clay mixes.  All of the over-
burden textures represent a marked improvement for agricultural use
relative to the pre-mining soil.  Chemical analyses of overburden
(Table 3-3) indicate differences in nutrient concentration between the
strata.  The calcium, magnesium, and potassium concentrations in over-
burden to the 100-foot depth were found to be lower in natural native
range soil.  Conversely, overburden values of these nutrients were much
higher than found in natural improved pasture soil.  In most cases
overburden from strata deeper than 10-foot was found to be of higher
nutrient content than the pre-mining soils.  However, the relatively
lower pH values (e.g., 4.4-5.7) found for overburden samples suggest
that liming will be necessary for optimum growth of many crops.
                                  3-24

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Conventional Reclamation Plan.  Reclamation as conventionally practiced
in the Florida phosphate industry would increase the area of the site
covered with soils of limited agricultural value (i.e., clays).  Under
Farmland's proposed plan, the extent of such areas would be about 600
acres.  Using conventional methods, this area would increase to about
2500 acres.

     The land areas of the site reclaimed with material other than waste
clays would likely be graded overburden.  The surface soils of such
areas would be quite variable, depending on which strata became the new
surface (see discussion of overburden cap for waste sand disposal area).
Such areas would likely be suitable for use as improved pasture.

     Conventional reclamation would also result in the creation of more
extensive lakes than would Farmland's proposed plan.  This would reduce
the land surface available for agricultural usage.

Natural Mine Cut Reclamation.  Natural mine cut reclamation differs from
both Farmland's proposed reclamation plan and conventional reclamation
in that the overburden windrows created by the mining operation would
not be graded and reclaimed as pasture.  The landscape would be very
irregular, resulting in soil erosion.  Revegetation would also occur,
eventually stabilizing most areas.  The productivity of such soils would
be limited to wildlife habitat.  Natural mine cut reclamation in com-
bination with sand-clay mixing would produce the smallest overall land
acreage suitable for agricultural use  (about 600 acres of settled
clays).  Conventional sand and clay disposal combined with natural mine
cut reclamation would result in the creation of much larger areas of
such soils (about 2500 acres of settled clays).
                                   3-25

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3.3  RADIATION

3.3.1  THE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

     Naturally-occurring radionuclides such as uranium, thorium, and
their decay products, as well as tritium, carbon-14, and potassium-40,
are ubiquitous in nature and usually distributed uniformly.  However,
some geological strata (such as marine phosphorite deposits) contain
significantly elevated concentrations of uranium, thorium, and their
decay products.  The phosphate deposits of Florida are an example of
such strata and contain concentrations of uranium and its decay products
at levels about 30 to 60 times greater than those found in average soil
and rock.  The presence of this radioactive material in extensive land
areas in central Florida creates the potential for radiation exposure of
the general population living on or near this land.  The naturally-
occurring background levels can be both significant and highly variable.
The mining and processing of phosphate ore redistribute the radioactive
material in the biosphere, thus offering some potential for altering the
existing radiological environment by releasing some of these materials
as gases, airborne particulates, or water-borne effluents.

     The phosphate deposits of central Florida contain average uranium
(primarily U-238) concentrations of about .1 to .4 pounds per ton (EPA
1977).   The uranium is usually in equilibrium with its radioactive decay
products.  Radioactivity is also present in parts of the overburden,
specifically the "leach zone".  This zone, also called the aluminum
phosphate zone, is a discontinuous zone of altered friable phosphatic
sandstone above the matrix, varying in thickness from 1 to 10 ft.  It is
composed of quartz sand cemented and indurated by the secondary minerals
such as wavellite, crandallite, and (locally) millisite.  Also occurring
is a fine-grained secondary cement composed of kaolinite and aluminum
phosphate minerals.  If a "leach zone" exists above the ore, it usually
contains uranium in concentrations comparable to that of the matrix.
Other portions of the overburden may also contain elevated radioactivity
                                  3-26

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 as compared to the surface soils.   However, the radioactivity is gen-
 erally associated with the phosphate itself, since the uranium replaces
 the normal calcium in apatite.   Consequently,  the marketable ore and
 waste clays containing most of  the phosphate also contain most of the
 associated radioactivity.   Two-thirds of the phosphate originally
 contained  in the  matrix remains in the marketable rock, with the re-
 mainder primarily in the waste  clays.

      Soil  throughout the U.S.  typically contains between 0.2 and 3
 picocuries (pCi)  of Ra-226 per  gram.   Unmined,  reclaimed,  and disturbed
 phosphate  land can contain widely  varying concentrations of Ra-226,  the
 amounts being  related to the amount of low activity overburden and sand
 tailings present  as compared to higher activity matrix, waste clays,  or
 leach zone material.   The  presence of Ra-226 and its decay products  in
 soil  presents  a potential  source of gamma exposure to individuals living
 or working above  the soil.   Of  greater concern  is exposure arising from
 the release of radon-222 (Rn-222),  a noble gas  decay product of Ra-226
 with  a  3.85-day half-life.   It  may diffuse through the soil into the
 atmosphere.  Observed Rn-222 concentrations in  the air are highly
 variable due to the influence of factors  such as precipitation,  baro-
 metric  pressure,  and  atmospheric thermal  stability.

 3.3.1.1 Uranium  Equilibrium
      In the uranium-238  series,  the decay proceeds through 13 inter-
 mediate  daughter  radionuclides  until  the  stable nuclide lead-206 (Pb-
 206)  is  reached.   The  nature of  the series  is such that a  condition of
 equilibrium is  achieved  only if  the entire  series remains  undisturbed in
 a  "sealed"  location over a  long  period  of time.   Mining produces a
 considerable disturbance of  the  natural condition,  leading to new
 transport pathways.   This disturbance may cause the  higher activity
 leached  zone material  and small  quantities  of the matrix to  be rede-
 posited near the ground  surface  upon  reclamation.   In some cases,  mined
 land is reclaimed with by-product materials  (waste clays)  from the
 processing of  the phosphate matrix.   These  materials  contain approxi-
mately one-third of the uranium  originally  present in the  matrix.
                                  3-27

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3.3.1.2  Background Radiation
     External whole-body gamma radiation exposure levels for Floridians
are essentially equal to those reported for the average U.S. citizen,
(i.e., approximately 100 millirems per year).  Increases in external
gamma radiation levels are associated with materials used for construc-
tion (primarily roadways) and varied histories of land use (primarily
phosphate mining and reclamation), although nearly all are within the
range of background.  Direct radiation levels over the Farmland property
are roughly 43 millirads per year.  Samples of total suspended particu-
lates indicated levels of airborne gross alpha radioactivity which were
less than 0.1 picocuries per cubic meter.

3.3.1.2.1  Air
     Exposures from air result principally from Rn-222 gas (and its
particulate daughter products) originating from the decay of Ra-226 in
soils.  Lung dosage from Rn-222 is 0.240 rads per year in the Bone
Valley area, compared with 0.130 in the remainder of the state.  The
mean annual natural background working-level (WL)* concentration for the
area is 0.004 compared with an inferred U.S. average of 0.001.

     In the natural state, most of the Rn-222 (an inert gas) produced in
a phosphate matrix would not escape the media.  Mining and beneficiation
alter the location of the Ra-226 and may increase the release of Rn-222
through the soil-air interface.  Airborne radon and radon progeny can
impart a large radiation dose to the lungs in enclosed spaces.

3.3.1.2.2  Water
     In water, the principal radiological contaminant is Ra-226.  Lower
Floridan Aquifer water samples from non-mineralized areas of central
Florida exhibit a mean value of 1.4 pCi/1, while those from the Upper
*Radiation standards for exposure to Rn-222 and its short-lived daughters
 are expressed in terms of workling level (WL) concentrations.  One WL is
 the amount of any combination of short-lived radioactive daughters of
 Rn-222 in 1 liter of air that will release 1.3 x 10  M   of alpha energy
 during their decay to Pb-210.
                                  3-28

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Floridan (Secondary Artesian) contain about 5.1 pCi/1.  In mineralized
but unmined areas, these values increase to 2.0 and 2.3 pCi/1, respec-
tively.  Surficial Aquifer water samples from these areas contain about
0.17 pCi/1.  In mineralized but mined areas, these values are 1.96
(Lower Floridan), 1.61 (Secondary Artesian), and 0.55 pCi/1  (Surficial).
Water samples collected from the Farmland site were found to have the
following Ra-226 concentrations:

                     Surface Water -  0.6 pCi/1
                 Surficial Aquifer -  1.0 pCi/1
        Secondary Artesian Aquifer - 15.6 pCi/1
                  Floridan Aquifer -  4.3 pCi/1

3.3.1.2.3  Structures
     Radioactivity concentrations in homes and other  structures built on
reclaimed land have been shown to be higher than in structures located
on land outside the mineralized phosphate area.  The  average annual
exposure to daughters of Rn-222 above natural background for persons
living on reclaimed land within the central Florida phosphate region is
calculated to be 540 millirems per year to the whole  lung.

3.3.1.3  Subsurface Radioactivity
     In both the north Florida and west central Florida mining regions,
the radioactivity is low at  the surface, increases gradually and  then
more rapidly with depth and  is most concentrated in or just  above the
matrix.  If present, the "leach zone" (see Section 3.3.1) is usually
marked by high radioactivity.

     Samples of materials from the Farmland site were taken  in order to
make reasonably accurate predictions of the radiological and agronomic
properties of the reclaimed  soils expected on  the site.  Samples  of
topsoil, composite overburden, leach zone  (if  present) matrix and matrix
components for several drill holes were analyzed for  Ra-226  (Table 3-4).
Splits from two cores were also analyzed for uranium  and thorium  (Th-
230) (Table 3-5).  Samples of composite clay,  composite sand, and three
                                   3-29

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Table 3-4   RADIUM-226 ANALYSES OF CORE SAMPLES FROM FARMLAND
            INDUSTRIES, INC. HARDEE COUNTY PROPERTY.
Sample
(B.D.-l)







(B.D.-3)







(B.D.-4)








BPL
Radiutn-226 Content Content
Component (Picocuries per gram) (%)
Top Soil (0-0.5')
Composite Overburden (0.5-101)
Composite Overburden (10'-20*)
Matrix (20'-32')
Pebble
Concentrate
Tailings
Slimes
Top Soil (0-0. 5')
Composite Overburden (0.5-101)
Composite Overburden1 (10' -26. 5')
Matrix (26. 5 '-47')
Pebble
Concentrate
Tailings
Slimes
Top Soil (0-0.5')
Composite Overburden (0.5'-6')
Leach Zone (6 '-10')
Composite Overburden1 (10'-15')
Matrix (15 '-36')
Pebble
Concentrate
Tailings
Slimes
< 0.1
6.2
32.3
9.7
32.3
30.2
3.3
12.2
0.3
21.4
7.1
6.8
32.9
23.8
0.72
4.6
0.32
3.0
6.4
5.6
8.5
29.8
26.0
3.2
5.0
0.8
3.3
9.2
19.4
29.4
70.4
4.5
14.0
0.5
14.4
15.3
23.0
49.4
66.3
1.5
18.8
1.1
1.0
9.8
14.2
12.6
58.4
67.9
4.2
13.4
 10verburden actually low grade matrix considered  unmineable  by geologist
 present.
 2Due to  the small quantity of sample submitted  for  analysis, these  results
 could vary by 50 percent.

 Source:  Environmental Science and Engineering, Inc.
                                   3-30

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           Table  3-5.   RADIOMETRIC ANALYSES OF  CORE  SAMPLES FROM THE FARMLAND  INDUSTRIES,  INC.  MINE PROPERTY.
OJ


Core Sample
B.D.-l




H-15


A-13



B-2




B.D.-3



B.D.-4




Split
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
1
2
3


Depth
0-5'
5-7.5*
7.5-12'
12-20'
20-25'
0-10/5'
10.5-46.5'
46.5-50'
0-6'
6-16'
16-25'
25-40'
0-8'
8-14.5'
14.5-18.5'
18.5-21'
21-27'
0-51
5-12.5'
12.5-29.5'
29.5-45'
0-2'
2-8.5'
8.5-20'


Description
Loose sands
Organic leach
Upper sandy clay
Soupy sand and leach
Matrix
Loose sand and sandy clay
Upper soupy sand
Matrix
Loose sand
Hardpan and sandy clay
Leach zone
Matrix
Loose sand
Tough sandy clay
Leach zone
Upper tough clays
Matrix
Loose sand
Leached upper clays
First matrix to overburden
Matrix
Loose sands
Clayey composite overburden
Matrix
Results of Analyses (pCi/g)
Radium-226
Uranium1 Thorium-2301 Analysis I1 Analysis 2^
4.7 4.6 ± 1.6 2.0 ± 0.6 <0.2
1.0 1.1 ± 0.3 1.6 ± 0.5 2.0
9 18 ± 3 16 ± 5 27.2
22 24 ± 4 22 ± 7 35.5
11 18 ± 5 22 ± 7 13.4
5.1
11.4
5.6
0.17 0.39± 0.26 0.181 0.05 0.7
3.1 7.5 ± 2.3 4.9 ± 1.5 7.7
33 90 ±40 67 ±20 70.2
4.7 9.4 ± 3.5 6.1 ± 1.8 14.6
91. 03
55.3
3.23
12.6
9.8
0.8
25.5
8.4
8.1
0.3
3.9
13.8
              'Analyses done for Woodward-Clyde Consultants by Wilson Laboratories of Salina, Kansas.
              2Analyses done for Farmland Industries,  Inc. by Environmental Science & Engineering,  Inc. of Gainesville, Florida.
              3Radium-226 values appear to be off by an amount suggestive of mislabeling of these samples.

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           Table 3-5.   RADIOMETRIC ANALYSES  OF CORE SAMPLES  FROM THE FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC. MINE PROPERTY,  Continued,
UJ
to


Core Sample
B.D.-l




H-15


A-13



B-2




B.D.-3



B.D.-4




Split
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
1
2
3


Depth
0-5'
5-7.5'
7.5-12'
12-20'
20-25'
0-10/5'
10.5-46.5'
46.5-50'
0-6'
6-16'
16-25'
25-40'
0-8'
8-14.5'
14.5-18.5'
18.5-21'
21-27'
0-5'
5-12.5'
12.5-29.5'
29.5-45'
0-2'
2-8.5'
8.5-20'


Description
Loose sands
Organic leach
Upper sandy clay
Soupy sand and leach
Matrix
Loose sand and sandy clay
Upper soupy sand
Matrix
Loose sand
Hardpan and sandy clay
Leach zone
Matrix
Loose sand
Tough sandy clay
Leach zone
Upper tough clays
Matrix
Loose sand
Leached upper clays
First matrix to overburden
Matrix
Loose sands
Clayey composite overburden
Matrix
Results of Analyses (pCi/g)
Radium-226
Uranium1 Thorium-2301 Analysis I1 Analysis 2Z
4.7 4.6 ± 1.6 2.0 ± 0.6 <0.2
1.0 1.1 ± 0.3 1.6 ± 0.5 2.0
9 18 ± 3 16 ± 5 27.2
22 24 ± 4 22 ± 7 35.5
11 18 ± 5 22 ± 7 13.4
5.1
11.4
5.6
0.17 0.39± 0.26 0.18+ 0.05 0.7
3.1 7.5 ± 2.3 4.9 ± 1.5 7.7
33 90 ±40 67 ±20 70.2
4.7 9.4 ± 3.5 6.1 ± 1.8 14.6
91. 03
55.3
3.23
12.6
9.8
0.8
25.5
8.4
8.1
0.3
3.9
13.8
               1Analyses done for Woodward-Clyde Consultants by Wilson Laboratories of Salina, Kansas.
               2Analyses done for Farmland Industries, Inc. by Environmental Science & Engineering, Inc. of Gainesville, Florida.
               3Radium-226 values appear to be  off by an amount suggestive of mislabeling of  these samples.

-------
sand-clay mixtures were also prepared and analyzed for Ra-226 (Table
3-6).  The observed values are within the rather wide range commonly
observed for corresponding samples in central Florida, although lower
than average.

3.3.2  ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES OF THE ALTERNATIVES

3.3.2.1  The No Action Alternative
     Under the no action alternative the Farmland site would remain in
its present radiological state.  Subsurface radioactivity would remain
in strata instead of being nearly uniformly distributed with depth.
This would leave the outdoor gamma radiation and the Rn-222 flux lower
than would be the case after land reclamation.  In turn, any homes that
are constructed on the land would have lower indoor radon progeny
concentrations.  Occupational radiatipn exposures would not occur, and
small increments in lung doses to nearby residents (from inhalation of
radioactive particulates) would be avoided.

3.3.2.2  The Action Alternatives, Including The Proposed Action

3.3.2.2.1  Mining

Dragline Mining (Farmland's Proposed Action).  In the mining process,
the overburden overlying the matrix is stripped away and deposited in an
adjacent previously mined area as a series of spoil banks.  As con-
ventionally practiced, materials that were originally near surface would
be placed at the bottom of the spoil pile, while the materials which
were just above the matrix would be placed at the top of the pile.  Core
analyses have shown the Ra-226 profile in the site overburden to range
from less than 1 pCi/g near the surface to a high of about 67 pCi/g in
the leach zone at the overburden-matrix interface.  Thus, dragline
mining (as conventionally practiced) would result in the exposure of the
leach zone and its relatively high radioactivity to the atmosphere.
However, the direct radiological impacts to operating personnel near the
mine should be minimal.  Prince (1977) found the average external gamma
                                  3-33

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Table 3-6.  RADIUM CONTENT OF COMPOSITE WASTES FOR FARMLAND
            RADIATION STUDY
Sample                        Radium-226 Content  (Picocuries per  gram)


Composite Clay                               6.1

Sand:Clay Ratio   0.8:1                      4.1

Sand:Clay Ratio   4.6:1                      3.3

Sand:Clay Ratio  10.1:1                      2.8

Composite Sand                               2.4


Source;  Bromwell Engineering, Inc.
                                  3-34

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radiation levels in the vicinity of draglines to be about 5 yR/hr  (near
baseline).  Radon progeny levels were also found to be present at  low
levels (0.0004 WL concentrations).  This is a lower value than has been
found within slab-on-grade structures on unmined land in Polk and
Alachua Counties, which ranged from 0.001 to 0.032 WL.

Dredge Mining.  Dredge mining, like dragline mining, would disrupt the
natural occurrence of radioactive materials within the overburden.
However,  the redistribution of such layers would be more uniform because
of the mixing which would occur during slurry transport of the over-
burden from the mine to the disposal area.  Since the water used to
transport the overburden would be in direct contact with radioactive
materials, it is possible that some increase in the levels of radio-
activity in these waters would occur even after most of the solids had
settled.

Bucketwheel Mining.  Bucketwheel mining, like dragline mining, would
disrupt the natural occurrence of radioactive materials within the
overburden, and result in the same potential for exposure of such
material to the atmosphere.

3.3.2.2.2  Matrix Processing
Conventional Matrix Processing (Farmland's Proposed Action).  The
distributions of radioactivity within the matrix from selected existing
mines (Roessler, et al. 1978) and for the Farmland site (Farmland  1979a)
are shown in Figure 3-3.  From the washer plant come a coarse product
(pebble), an intermediate-sized product (flotation feed), and a fine
clay waste product.  The clays in west central Florida have about  the
same concentration of Ra-226 as the input matrix (both on a dry weight
basis),  the actual level being dependent upon the efficiency of the
washer plant.  In general, west central Florida clays average about 45
pCi/g Ra-226.  Pilot plant studies with the matrix from the Farmland
site indicate that the concentration in the separated clays should be
from 4.6 to 12.2 pCi/g Ra-226.
                                  3-35

-------
U)

UJ
                                                       OVERBURDEN
                                                                               WASTE MATERIAL
                                                          MATRIX
                                               Current Mines          Farmland
                                               30*(12-84)*«
                                                         10.8 (6.8-22)
                                                                                      OVERBURDEN SPOILS
                                                                                       Current Mines: 0.5-7
                                    PRODUCT
                                                      WASHER PLANT-
                     PEBBLE

         Current Mines       Farmland
                          31 (30-32)
57 (45-97)
                                           FLOTATION FEED
                                   PRODUCT
                                              FLOTATION
                                                PLANT
                 CONCENTRATE

         Current Mines       Farmland
          35 (26-50)


        * AVERAGE VALUE

       ** RANGE IN VALUES
               24 (21-28)
        FIGURE  3-3.
           RADIUM  (in pCi/g) IN CURRENT CENTRAL  FLORIDA
           PRODUCTS AND WASTES VS. EXPECTED VALUES  FOR
           THE  FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC.  PROJECT.
       SOURCE: FARMLAND INDUSTRIES. INC., 1979; ROESSLER, ET AL 1978
                                                                 WASTE MATERIAL
                    CLAYS

          Current Mines      Farmland
           32(10-73)     9.9(3.2-27)
WASTE MATERIAL
                                                                                SAND TAILINGS

                                                                          Current Mines      Farmland
          5.2 (1.7-12)
                                                                                          1 (0.8-1.4)
                                                                                                                     ,

-------
     Flotation feed is routed to the flotation plant where concentrate
and a sandy, waste fraction (termed sand tailings) are produced.  The
tailings at this site represent about 60 percent (by weight) of the
incoming matrix.  After separation, they contain only a small fraction
of the matrix radioactivity.  Samples from operating west central
Florida mines were found to average about 5 pCi/g.  Samples from the
Farmland site indicate that these tailings should have a Ra-226 con-
centration of 1 to 3 pCi/g, a value which appears to represent a very
efficient separation.

     Prince (1977) found the external gamma radiation levels in bene-
ficiation plants to be about twice the background levels.  However,
results of a work-station survey found occupancy factors low enough to
reduce annual exposures to insignificant levels.  Radon progeny levels
were below the levels reported for slab-on-grade structures on unmined
land (0.0007 WL).  Therefore, the radiological impacts to operating
personnel at the plant should be minimal.

     Prince (1977), in his study of the occupational radiation exposures
in the phosphate industry, found wet rock storage piles to yield gamma
radiation at an average rate of 67 uR/hr.  However, occupancy factors
around such piles are extremely small, making the annual exposure to an
individual insignificant.  In areas where the occupancy factor is high,
the elevation in gamma radiation was found to be low.  Wet rock storage
and transfer tunnels  (located under wet rock piles) were found to be the
most serious radiological hazard areas.  WL measurements at 11 sites
yielded levels between 0.0007 WL and 0.096 WL.

Dry Matrix Processing.  Dry matrix processing would involve the sepa-
ration of the matrix  fractions by air or electrostatic methods.  This
dry separation would produce tremendous amounts of particulate matter,
requiring the control of airborne radioactive particulates.  Even with
control measures, radioactivity in the area of  the dry process bene-
ficiation plant would likely be higher than if  conventional methods were
used.
                                  3-37

-------
3.3.2.2.3   Sand and Clay Waste Disposal
Sand-Clay Mixing  (Farmland's Proposed Action).  As  indicated previously,
the processing of matrix at the Farmland plant will produce two  solid
waste streams—clays and sand tailings.  Both of  these  streams will
contain radioactive materials.  When these  two wastes are  combined at
the proposed 2.5:1 ratio, a final Ra-226 concentration  of  about  3.5
pCi/g should exist.  Pre-mining Ra-226 subsurface profiles  (<1 pCi/g at
the surface to 32 pCi/g near the matrix) will be  altered to a reclaimed
profile having from between 1 and 4 pCi/g nearly  uniformly distributed
with depth, but "spikes" are expected throughout  because of the  occur-
rence of matrix or high activity material ("leach zone") originally just
above the matrix.  Separately stored sand tailings  should  be more
uniform, with Ra-226 concentrations being about 2.4 pCi/g  throughout.
Separately impounded clay sediments are expected  to yield  an average
concentration of 6.1 pCi/g, but with both higher  and lower "spikes".

     The redistribution of radioactivity in waste sand  and clay will
also alter the terrestrial gamma radiation where  these materials are
deposited.  Table 3-7 contains the predicted gamma  radiation levels for
sand and clay waste from the Farmland mine.   These  estimates consider
the expected uranium,  thorium, and potassium contents of various post-
reclamation land types following Beck and dePlanque (1968), who give
exposure rates in air for each ppm of uranium, thorium, and potassium in
soils.  The waste clay will emit the highest amount of  gamma radiation
(12.9 yR/hr @ 1m).  However, only a small fraction  of the  site (12
percent) will be covered by this material, and its  high water content
may reduce the gamma level through shielding.  The  remainder of the
waste products are expected to meet or only slightly exceed the 10 yR/hr
interim recommendation for gamma exposure levels  at new structure sites
on Florida phosphate lands (EPA 1976).   The mean  outdoor gamma radi-
ation of the site is expected to increase from 6.5  yR/hr to 11.9 yR/hr.

     An additional concern about the waste materials is the amount of
Rn-222 flux from them.   The level of radon flux is  considered an indicator
                                  3-38

-------
Table  3-7. PREDICTED GAMMA RADIATION CHARACTERISTICS OF RECLAIMED
            LAND ON THE FARMLAND INDUSTRIES,  INC. MINE SITE.
                                              Cosmic
                        Predicted Gamma    Contribution
Land Type                yR/hr (31m          yR/hr        Total yR/hr
Overburden Reclaimed
Sand/Clay Mixture
Tailings Reclaimed
Clay Reclaimed
6.1
8.3
5.7
12.9
3.6
3.6
3.6
3.6
9.7
11.9
9.3
16.5
Source:  Adapted from Beck and dePlanque (1968).
Table  3~8<  PREDICTED RADON FLUX FROM RECLAIMED LAND ON THE FARMLAND
            INDUSTRIES, INC. MINE SITE.

                                                                2
                                           Radon-222 Flux, pCi/m s
                                     Without 2-ft               With 2-ft
Land Type                             of Topsoil                of Topsoil
Overburden Reclaimed                    0.95                      0.68

Sand/Clay Mixture                       1.3                       0.94

Tailings Reclaimed                      0.91                      0.66

Clay Sediments                          2.3                       1.7

Source:  Adapted from Roessler, et al. (1978) .
                                  3-39

-------
of the potential hazard of indoor radon progeny within slab-on-grade
residential and public structures.  Table 3-8 summarizes predicted radon
flux values for various waste surfaces.  The first column lists the
results of a mono-layer diffusion model (without topsoil); the second
column contains the values predicted by a bi-layer diffusion model (with
topsoil).  Specific parameters for each waste type were taken from the
data of Roessler, et al. (1978) for similar media.  For each land type,
the reduction is between 20 and 30 percent.  However, even the uncapped
values are within the range of Rn-222 fluxes which have been observed on
unaltered lands (Table 3-9).  Therefore, the increase in outdoor air-
borne Rn-222 concentrations from these fluxes should be insignificant.

Conventional Sand and Clay Disposal.  Conventional clay disposal would
result in the separate disposal of sand and clay waste materials.  This
would create about 2500 acres of surface area with higher radiation
levels (on the order of 6.1 pCi/g) than would result using sand-clay mix
methods.

3.3.2.2.4  Reclamation
Farmland's Proposed Reclamation Plan.  As indicated previously, the
reclaimed mine site will have different radiological characteristics
than the premined site.  The resultant impact of this new radiological
environment will depend upon the end land use of given areas and the
levels of the various radiological characteristics.  Farmland's recla-
mation plan calls for the return of much of the site area to agricul-
tural usage.  There is no evidence that agricultural development of the
reclaimed mine site will pose a significant radiological hazard through
soil-to-crop-to-man food chain uptake.  However, little is known about
the behavior of Ra-226 uptake from this type of soil.  A very limited
study (Bolch 1979) suggests that the excess availability of the major
divalent cations in these soils (Ca-H- and Mg++ primarily) will produce a
discrimination against uptake of Ra-H- in the clay soils containing
higher than normal Ra-226.  However, additional research is required to
further define the full extent of the potential hazards.  It should be
                                  3-40

-------
Table 3-9.  SUMMARY OF RADON-222 FLUX CHARACTERISTICS OF VARIOUS
            LAND TYPES IN POLK COUNTY, FLORIDA.
Radon-222 Flux, pCi/m s
Land Types Number of Sites
Unaltered
Unmined Radioactive Fill
Tailings
All Overburden
Capped and Mixed Clays
Uncapped Clays
Debris
17
2
19
27
6
2
15
Mean
0.2
1.3
0.7
1.5
1.6
4.4
4.2
Range
0.1
0.6
0.1
0.1
0.3
3.6
1.7
- 1.7
- 2.8
- 2.7
-12.8
- 7.2
- 5.4
-13.7
Source:  Roessler, et al.  (1978).
                                   3-41

-------
noted that current fertilizer products  such as  TSP may  contain  up  to  32
pCi/g Ra-226.  Thus, the direct application of  fertilizer products to
crops may be of more concern than  the direct uptake  from the  reclaimed
soils.

     Should buildings  (such as residences) be located on the  reclaimed
site, indoor radon and radon progeny concentrations  would be  higher in
these structures than outdoors.  For any homes  that  are constructed,  the
predicted indoor radon progeny (WL) could range from 0.011 over re-
claimed sand tailings to 0.018 WL  over  reclaimed clay settling  areas.
The value for homes over sand-clay mix  areas would be 0.013 WL.  Slab-
on-grade structures in Polk County over undisturbed  lands have  WLs
ranging from 0.001 to 0.010, with  a geometric mean of 0.003.  Two
standards for WL in existing homes have been proposed:   (1) a 0.029 WL
total exposure including background (Florida Department of Health  and
Rehabilitation Services 1978) and  (2) a 0.020 WL total  exposure in-
cluding background (EPA 1979b).  The reclamation processes and  undevel-
oped lands were not addressed in detail in EPA's 1979 recommendations to
the Governor of Florida (EPA 1979b).  However,  the following  specific
guidance was provided for new homes on  any reclaimed, debris, and
unmined lands which contain phosphate resources:

          "IV.  Development sites  for new residences should be  selected
     and prepared, and the residences so designed and sited,  that  the
     annual average indoor ...." Working Levels " ...do not exceed ....
     background levels...." (EPA 1979b)

     If the final guidance for reclaimed lands is similar to  the recom-
mendation quoted above, then the upper  limit of predicted WLs in slab-
on-grade homes will be approximately 0.009 WL (normal background of
0.004 WL plus the uncertainty of 0.005 WL).  Overall, the reclaimed
Farmland site will slightly exceed this upper range.  However,  Farm-
land1 s reclamation plan does not include plans for residential  devel-
opment.   If residences were planned they would have  to  be designed so as
to prohibit the accumulation of radon progeny to levels above the  .009
WL limit.
                                  3-42

-------
Conventional Reclamation.  Reclamation as conventionally practiced in
the Florida phosphate industry would increase the area of the site with
exposed soils having Ra-226 concentrations on the order of 6.1 pCi/g.
Under Farmland's proposed plan, the extent of such areas would be 583
acres.  Using conventional methods, this acreage would increase to about
2500 acres.

Natural Mine Cut^ Reclamation.  Natural mine cut reclamation differs from
both Farmland's proposed reclamation plan and conventional reclamation
in that the overburden windrows created by the mining operation would
not be graded and reclaimed as pasture.  Because of the irregular
topography created by natural mine cut reclamation, much of the site
would not be suitable for residential or agricultural use.  Thus, the
pathways to the human environment would be eliminated.  The areas used
for disposal of waste clays could be utilized for pasture and would  thus
be a potential source of uptake.  The natural systems that would develop
over most of the site would also tend to retain radioactive species.

3.4  GROUNDWATER

3.4.1  THE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

3.4.1.1  Groundwater Quantity
     Three aquifers underlie the Farmland site—the Surficial Aquifer,
the Secondary Artesian Aquifer, and the Floridan Aquifer  (Figure 3-4).
The Surficial Aquifer extends  to the land surface and consists of about
60 ft of sand and sandy  clay.  Relatively impermeable portions of the
matrix  (phosphate bearing zone) at the base of  the surficial deposits
separate the Surficial Aquifer from the underlying Secondary Artesian
Aquifer.  The Secondary  Artesian Aquifer consists of about  230 ft of
dolomitic limestone, sandy clay, and small amounts of chert.  There  is a
relatively impermeable clay bed at the base of  the Secondary Artesian
Aquifer.  This is considered to be a leaky confining bed  separating  it
from  the underlying Floridan Aquifer.  The Floridan Aquifer includes a
thick series of permeable beds of  limestone.
                                   3-43

-------
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FIGURE 3-4.  HYDROGEOLOGICAL  CROSS SECTION OF THE
             FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC. MINE SITE.
SOURCE: FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC.. DRI, JUNE 1979
                                           3-44

-------
3.4.1.1.1  Surficial Aquifer
     The level of the water table in the Surficial Aquifer varies in
response to changes in rainfall, evapotranspiration, baseflow support  to
streams, and leakage into the underlying Secondary Artesian Aquifer.
When measured between May 1977 and August 1978, the water levels varied
from 10.0 ft below to 0.84 ft above the ground surface.  Because the
ground surface varies between 35 and 100 ft, the water table elevation
is also variable.  Water levels have been periodically monitored since
November 1975 in piezometers on the Farmland property  (P.E. LaMoreaux  &
Associates, Inc. [PELA] 1978) and on Mississippi Chemical Corporation
(MCC) property, just north of the Farmland site (PELA  1977).  These data
indicate that the water table generally reaches a seasonal low in May
and highs between June and September (Figure 3-5) .  The dry season
decline in water table under the mine site was measured to be 2 to 8 ft
in 1978.  The greatest seasonal water level fluctuations appear to occur
where the percentage of sand is greatest.

     The average value of transmissivity obtained from two pumping tests
was 11,200 gallons per day per foot (gpd/ft) (PELA 1979).  The average
values of specific yield at Farmland are as follows:
              Aquifer      Transmissivity  Specific Yield
           Thickness (ft)     (gpd/ft)       or Storage
                60            11,400             14
The average values of specific yield at Farmland are approximately  ten
times the specific yield obtained by MCC in tests on adjoining property
(MCC 1976).  Values of the in-situ horizontal permeability obtained from
                                   —3                   2
20 recovery tests averaged 1.5 X 10   cm/sec  (32 gpd/ft ) for silty fine
                  —5                    2
sands and 1.2 X 10   cm/sec (0.25 gpd/ft ) for clayey  sands.  Laboratory
                                                                -4
values for vertical and remolded permeability ranged from 3 X 10    to
      -3                          2
9 X 10   cm/sec (6.4 to 190 gpd/ft ) for silty fine sands and from  1 X
10~6 to 1 X 10~5 cm/sec (0.021 to 0.21 gpd/ft2) for clayey sands  (Arda-
man & Associates, Inc. 1980).
                                  3-45

-------
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                      WELL:  CP-1
                      WATER LEVEL MEASURMENTS: MAXIMUM DAILY WATER LEVEL

                      ELEVATION OF MEASURING POINT: 81.50 FT. ABOVE M.S.L.
                                                                                                                         76.5
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                                                                                                                         69.5
                                                  Ul
                                                  Ul
                                                  K
                                                  Ul

                                                  i
                         JUN   JUL   AUG
                         1977
SEPT
       OCT
NOV
                   DEC
                                                       JAN
                                                       1978
FEB   MAR    APR   MAY
                                                          JUN
                                                                                              JUL   AUG
         FIGURE 3-5.   HYDROGRAPH OF SURFICIAL AQUIFER WELL CP-1
                       ON  THE FARMLAND INDUSTRIES,  INC.  MINE  SITE;
                       JUNE 1977- AUGUST 1978.
         SOURCE:  P.E. LA MOREAUX & ASSOCIATES. INC. (1978)

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     Wells in the Surficial Aquifer yield up to 200 gpm in some areas
and are widely used as a water supply.  There are approximately 20
domestic wells and a number of small diameter irrigation and stock wells
completed in the Surficial Aquifer within 1 mile of the Farmland property.

3.4.1.1.2  Secondary Artesian Aquifer
     The Secondary Artesian Aquifer includes the Hawthorn Formation and
the Tampa Limestone (Figure 3-4).  The top of the Secondary Artesian
Aquifer conforms generally to the top of the bedrock and is about 60 ft
below the surface of the property.  A 10 to 20 ft thick bed of clay at
the base of the Tampa Limestone located approximately 600 ft below the
ground surface separates the Secondary Artesian Aquifer from the under-
lying Floridan Aquifer.

     Because the confining beds of the Secondary Artesian Aquifer are
not completely impermeable, local leakage occurs from both the Surficial
Aquifer and the underlying Floridan Aquifer.  Due to the head difference
of 25 to 40 ft, the Farmland property may be an area of recharge from
the Surficial Aquifer to the underlying Secondary Artesian Aquifer.  The
upper confining layer is more than 100 ft thick in some areas of the
mine site and has an es
Associates, Inc. 1980).
mine site and has an estimated leakance of 1 X 10   gpd/ft   (Ardaman  &
     The head in the Secondary Artesian Aquifer in  the vicinity  of  the
Farmland property was found to vary seasonally from 2.5  ft above to 1.0
ft below the head in the Floridan (PELA 1979).  Pumping  tests  on the
                                                                  _3
Floridan Aquifer at the mine site indicate a  leakance of 2.4 X 10
      o
gpd/ft  (PELA 1979).  Upward leakage may occur from the  deeper Floridan
Aquifer when the potentiometric surface of the Floridan  is higher than
that of the Secondary Artesian Aquifer.

     During the period of record, the water level in one well  in the
Secondary Artesian Aquifer attained a high level of 52.40 ft above  mean
sea level (MSL) and a low level of 29.80 ft MSL.  Seasonal variation is
                                  3-47

-------
generally similar to that in the underlying Floridan Aquifer  (Figures
3-6 and 3-7).

     One pumping test was conducted on the Secondary Artesian Aquifer on
the Farmland property (PELA 1979) and a transmissivity value of 43,300
gpd/ft was obtained.  The average values of specific yield at Farmland
are as follows:
           Aquifer      Transmissivity  Specific Yield  Leakance
        Thickness (ft)     (gpd/ft)       or Storage    (gpd/ft )
              500          43,300        2.52 x 10~4        0
The values of storativity are one to two orders of magnitude smaller
than those obtained at the MCC property (MCC 1976).

     The in-situ horizontal permeability was determined to be between
        -3             -3
1.0 X 10   and 2.5 X 10   cm/sec for indurated calcareous clays and
limestone.  Values for in-situ horizontal permeability of clayey sands
                                  O              /
and clays ranged between 3.0 X 10   and 1.6 X 10   cm/sec (Ardaman &
Associates, Inc. 1980).  Vertical permeabilities obtained from labora-
tory tests ranged from 1.0 X 10   to 5.2 X 10   cm/sec for indurated
                                                -9            -8
calcareous clays and limestone and from 1.7 X 10   to 2.8 X 10   cm/sec
for clays (Ardaman & Associates, Inc. 1980).
     Wells in the Secondary Artesian Aquifer yield as much as 1000 gpm
in the vicinity of the proposed mine.  There are only a few wells in the
vicinity of the Farmland property that are completed solely in the
Secondary Artesian Aquifer.

3.4.1.1.3  Floridan Aquifer
     The Floridan Aquifer is the primary source of water supply for
Hardee County and much of Florida.  Yields of 5000 gpm per well are
common.  There are a large number of high yielding irrigation wells
completed in the Floridan Aquifer in the immediate vicinity of the
Farmland property.
                                  3-48

-------
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                                      -SECONDARY ARTESIAN AQUIFER PUMP TEST*
                               WELL: FIS-3
                               WATER LEVEL MEASUREMENTS: MAXIMUM DAILY WATER LEVELS
                               ELEVATION OF MEASURING POINT:82.60 ABOVE M.S.L.
                                                                                                                      55.6
                                                                                                                      51.6
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                                                                                                                       27.6
                         SEPT
                         1977
                                 OCT
                                         NOV
                                                 DEC
                                       JAN
                                       1978
                                                                  FEB
                                                                         MAR
                                                                                 APR
                                                                                         MAY
                                                                               JUN
                                                                                                                AUG
                      » WELL LOCATED 50 FT FROM PUMPED WELL
         FIGURE  3-6.   HYDROGRAPH OF SECONDARY ARTESIAN  AQUIFER
                        WELL FIS-3 ON THE FARMLAND INDUSTRIES,  INC,
                        MINE SITE; SEPTEMBER 1977- AUGUST 1978.
         SOURCE:  P.E. LA MOREAUX & ASSOCIATES. INC. (1978)

-------
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                 SEPT
                 1977
                                FLORIDAN AQUIFER PUMP TEST
             WELL: FIF-2                                           I
             WATER LEVEL MEASUREMENTS: MAXIMUM DAILY WATER LEVELS    \
             ELEVATION OF MEASURING POINT: 82.60 FT. ABOVE M.S.L.
                                                                                                            55.6
                                                                                                            51.6  5
                                                                                                            47.6
                                                                                                            43.6
                                                                                                   39.6
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                        OCT
                                NOV
                                        DEC
                                       JAN
                                       1978
                                                        FEB
                                                               MAR
                                                                       APR
                                                                              MAY
                                                                                       JUN
                                                                                              JUL
                                                                                                      AUG
             • WELL LOCATED 100 FT FROM PUMPED WELL
FIGURE  3-7.  HYDROGRAPH OF  FLORIDAN AQUIFER WELL  FIF-2
              ON THE FARMLAND INDUSTRIES,  INC. MINE SITE;
              SEPTEMBER 1977- AUGUST 1978.
SOURCE:  P.E. LA MOREAUX & ASSOCIATES, INC. (1978)

-------
     From top to bottom the Floridan Aquifer includes the Suwannee
Limestone, the Ocala Group and the Avon Park Limestone  (Figure 3-4).
All three units consist of limestones, dolomitic limestones or dolo-
stones.  The Suwannee comprises the upper 250 ft of the Floridan Aqui-
fer.  The most prolific water producing unit is the Avon Park Limestone
which extends from 980 to 1600 or 1700 ft below ground  surface.  Its
lowest stratum is a relatively impermeable evaporite.  Many of the wells
drilled in the area near the Farmland property penetrate fractured and
cavernous zones in the Avon Park Limestone, but no significant cavernous
zones were encountered in the wells drilled on the Farmland site.

     The relatively impermeable evaporite stratum at the base of the
Avon Park Limestone is underlain by the Lake Creek Limestone which has a
very low transmissivity (PELA 1977).  Thus, an impermeable zone which
would prevent or greatly retard the upward movement of  water separates
the freshwater in the Floridan Aquifer from the highly  mineralized water
found in underlying rock.  The saltwater/freshwater interface calculated
by using the Ghyben-Herzberg principal (Stringfield 1966) for conditions
at the Farmland mine site in March 1978 was about 2100  ft below MSL.

     Elevations of the piezometric head in the Floridan Aquifer beneath
the Farmland property varied between 28 and 53 ft MSL when measured from
September 1977 through May 1978.  The head in the Floridan tends to vary
seasonally and was observed to be approximately the same as the head in
the Secondary Artesian Aquifer (Figures 3-6 and 3-7).

     One pumping test of the Floridan Aquifer was conducted on the
Farmland property.  The water levels in the wells offsite were not
noticeably affected.  The average value obtained for the transmissivity
of the Floridan Aquifer at the Farmland site was 528,000 gpd/ft, which
is about one-half that obtained at the MCC site.  This  difference  could
be due to the aquifer having better developed cavities  at the MCC  site
                                  3-51

-------
 than at the Farmland site.  The average storativity values for both
 sites were as follows:
            Aquifer      Transmissivity  Specific Yield  Leakance
         Thickness (ft)     (gpd/ft)       or Storage    (gpd/ft )
               950          528,000        2.5 x 10~3    2.3 x 10~3
 A leakance of 2.3 X 10   gpd/ft was measured at the Farmland site, but
 no leakage was detected with the MCC test.  Since the nearest outcrop to
 the Floridan is more than 100 miles away from the proposed mine, any
 recharge to the Floridan Aquifer is from leakage.

      There are currently nine wells on Farmland property that pump water
 for irrigation from the Floridan Aquifer.   All of the pumping occurs
 during the dry season, which is also the time that the potentiometric
 surfaces of the artesian aquifers are at the lowest levels.  Calculated
 drawdowns at the boundaries of the Farmland property resulting from
 pumping these irrigation wells range from 1 to 5 ft.

 3.4.1.2  Groundwater Quality
      The quality of the underlying groundwaters is generally good, with
 only a few parameters exhibiting high enough concentrations to warrant
 concern from a public health standpoint.  But primarily because of the
 effects of local geology, the water in each of the three aquifer systems
 has a distinctive chemical character.

 3.4.1.2.1  Surficial Aquifer
      A summary of Surficial Aquifer water  quality data for two wells on
 the Farmland mine site is presented in Table 3-10.  Concentrations of
 almost all constituents measured are within the Florida water quality
 standards, the exception being the Florida gross alpha standard (15
 pCi/1), which was consistently exceeded.

 3.4.1.2.2  Secondary Artesian Aquifer
      The overall quality of the groundwater in the Secondary Artesian
'Aquifer (Table 3-11) is lower than that in the Surficial Aquifer,  which
                                   3-52

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              Table 3-10.
STATISTICAL SUMMARY OF GROUNDWATER QUALITY DATA FOR SELECTED WELLS  IN THE  SURFICIAL

AQUIFER ON THE FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC. MINE SITE.
U)
i
Ul
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PT-13
Parameter1
Temperature (°C)
pH (std. units)
Conductivity (ymhos/cm)
Total Dissolved Solids
Total Suspended Solids
Total Alkalinity as CaC03
Total Hardness as CaCO
Calcium
Magnesium
Sodium
Potassium
Iron
Silica
Sulfate
Chloride
Fluoride
Bicarbonate
Nitrate
Phosphate
Hydrogen Sulfide
Radium-226 (pCi/1)
Gross Alpha (pCi/1)
Dissolved
Suspended
x2
22.5
5.5
101
67
14
33
44
11
3.7
4.9
0.42
1.16
2.7
3.6
13
0.34
42
0.26
1.21
0.49
0.5

43.4
3.7
S.D.
1.2
0.2
29
19
20
26
15
3
1.7
0.7
0.24
0.42
0.6
1.4
8.4
0.12
32
0.36
0.95
0.16
0.4

26.7
2.7
Min.
20.5
5.07
70
36
1.0
12
28
6.9
1.9
4.3
0.29
0.13
1.8
2.2
9.2
0.02
21
<0.01
<0.01
0.10
0.1

6.6
1.8
Max.
24.6
5.9
155
104
73
111
72
16
7.1
7.0
1.20
2.00
4.2
6.8
42
0.47
136
1.34
4.27
0.72
1.1

81.6
8.4
X
24.5
5.6
95
60
7
17
38
8.9
2.9
6.1
0.60
2.04
4.6
11
11
0.40
22
0.14
0.53
0.28
0.5

69.3
3.8
PT-23
S.D.
1.6
0.3
18
12
9
8.5
7
1.8
1.0
4.5
0.22
0.64
1.1
2.5
1.9
0.17
11
0.14
0.22
0.19
0.1

37.3
2.1
Min.
22.3
5.1
73
45
1.7
3.7
28
7.0
1.6
4.3
0.35
0.24
3.0
7.4
8.5
0.02
4.5
0.01
0.06
0.10
0.3

19.7
2.1
Max.
27.5
6.3
124
93
38
31
50
12
4.7
21
1.19
2.79
7.0
17
14
0.60
38
0.51
0.80
0.70
0.6

115.4
7.3
                JA11 units in mg/1 unless otherwise noted.
                2Abbreviations:  x = mean; S.D.  - standard deviation;  Min.  = minimum value determined;

                                Max. = maximum value determined.
                3Data for PT-1 and PT-2 are based on 14 monthly samples between June 1977 and July 1978.

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              Table 3-11   ANALYSES OF GROUNDWATER FROM THE SECONDARY ARTESIAN AND FLORIDAN AQUIFERS ON THE
                           FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC. MINE SITE.
01
Parameters1
Sampling Date:
Temperature (°C)
pH (std. units)
Conductivity (umhos/cm)
Total Dissolved Solids
Total Suspended Solids
Total Alkalinity as CaC03
Total Hardness as CaCO_
Calcium
Magnesium
Sodium
Potassium
Iron
Silica
Sulfate
Chloride
Fluoride
Bicarbonate
Nitrate
Phosphate
Hydrogen Sulfide
Radium-226 (pci/1)2
Gross Alpha (pCi/1)2
Dissolved
Suspended
Secondary Artesian
Aquifer (FIS-1)
Floridan Aquifer
(FIF-1)
7/12/77 7/15/77 10/4/77 10/14/77 10/21/77 10/24/77
26.0
7.62
465
307
87
174
206
41
25
27
3
0
23
45
21
3
212
0
0
1
16
11
6






.0
.26


.3
.0

.01
.136
.20
.0(7/77)
.1(7/77)
.2(7/77)
25.5
2.5
460
319
5
152
200
39
25
25
3
0
18
45
20
2
185
<0
0
1
15
12
<3


.0


.7
.0
.07


.7
.8

.01
.03
.64
.2(2/78)
.1(2/78)
.5(2/78)
30.
7.
570
371
0.
136
246
51
29
9.
0.
0.
10
100
11
0.
165
<0.
<0.
2.
6.

590
370
0.0
147
247
56
26
90
. L
2.03
<0.01
10
100
12
0.25
179
<0.01
<0.02
31
* 1
13.9(7/78)
9.3(7/78
<6. 0(7/78)
                2Radiologic samples were taken on dates shown in parentheses.
                Source;   P.E.  LaMoreaux & Associates,  Inc.   (1978).

-------
is not surprising considering its longer contact time with local geo-
logical strata.   The Secondary Artesian waters generally have higher
concentrations of silica, sulfate, fluoride, magnesium, calcium, bi-
carbonate, and potassium, and lower concentrations of iron, nitrate, and
phosphate, than surTicial groundwaters near the mine site.  Ra-226
concentrations (on the order of 15-16 pCi/1) were found to be much
higher in the Secondary Artesian Aquifer than in the Surficial Aquifer
(0.5 pCi/1).   The concentrations found exceed the Florida standard for
Ra-226/Ra-228 and fluoride.

3.4.1.2.3  Floridan Aquifer
     The quality of the groundwater in the Floridan Aquifer is in some
cases poorer than that found in the Secondary Artesian Aquifer (Table
3-11).  Water from the Floridan Aquifer has greater concentrations of
calcium and sulfate, but smaller concentrations of sodium, potassium,
iron, silica, chloride, fluoride, and bicarbonate.  Relatively high
concentrations of hydrogen sulfide were also found in water samples from
this aquifer.  The Florida standard for Ra-226/Ra-228 was exceeded on
two sampling dates (6.7 pCi/1 on one date and 13.9 pCi/1 on another
date).  However, these levels are generally lower than were found in
samples from the Secondary Artesian Aquifer.

3.4.2  ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES OF THE ALTERNATIVES

3.4.2.1   The No Action Alternative
     Under the no action alternative no appreciable changes in  the
existing  quantities of groundwater are anticipated.  The present  sea-
sonal changes in water levels in  the Surficial, Secondary Artesian, and
Floridan  Aquifers will not be affected.  The  seasonal  pumping of  the
Floridan  Aquifer by the nine onsite high-capacity irrigation  wells will
continue, as will their resultant drawdowns.  This alternative will also
cause no  changes in the hydrologic characteristics of  the  Surficial
Aquifer or change in rate  of baseflow  to the  local surface water  courses.
                                   3-55

-------
     Groundwater quality under the no action alternative will depend on
the future uses for land in the area.  If land use patterns in  the
immediate area remain fairly constant over the next few decades, ground-
water quality should remain much as it is today.

3.4.2.2  The Action Alternatives, Including The Proposed Action
3.4.2.2.1  Mining
Dragline Mining (Farmland's Proposed Action).  The impacts of dragline
mining on groundwater quantity will be associated primarily with the
Surficial Aquifer as a result of dewatering of mine pits.  Water seeping
into mine pits will be collected and added to the recirculating pro-
duction water supply.  Seepage into pits will vary from one area to the
next depending on the length of the mine cut, but will average about 500
gpm (Farmland 1979b).  Where pits are adjacent to existing streams, the
pits will induce infiltration from the streams—increasing pit seepage
and causing some decrease in streamflow until the pit dewatering ceases.

     Under Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) regu-
lations the water table should not be lowered by more than 3 ft at the
property boundaries.  In order to prevent this from occurring, Farmland
proposes to construct rim ditches between the mine pits and adjacent
property boundaries in areas where water table decreases could be
significant.  These will be kept filled with water.  Seepage into the
ground will help maintain the water table level beneath the neighboring
property.

     Dragline mining should not result in any significant changes in
groundwater quality.

Dredge Mining.  Use of dredge mining would maintain water levels in the
surrounding Surficial Aquifer; however, increased pumping of the Flori-
dan Aquifer would be required to maintain water levels in the dredged
pits during dry seasons.   This added pumping of the Floridan Aquifer
would cause increased declines in the piezometric head in the Floridan
Aquifer.
                                  3-56

-------
     The water contained within the active mining area would likely be
turbid and contain higher concentrations of some parameters than water
in the adjacent undisturbed Surficial Aquifer.  At times when the level
of the Surficial Aquifer is below the water level in the active mining
area, some of this water could move laterally and degrade its quality.
However, the resultant impacts on groundwater quality in the area should
be insignificant.

Bucketwheel Mining.  The impacts of bucketwheel mining on groundwater
quantity would be similar to those described for dragline mining.

     Bucketwheel mining should not result in any significant changes in
groundwater quality.

3.A.2.2.2  Matrix Transport

Slurry Matrix Transport (Farmland's Proposed Action).  Farmland proposes
to pump matrix from the active mining area to the beneficiation plant as
a water slurry.  The water used in this process  (about 25,500 gpm) will
be recycled water from the washer plant rather than fresh water.  The
only fresh water required (about 250 gpm, or  .36 mgd) is that needed for
use as seal water in the pumps themselves.  The  seal water will be
obtained from shallow wells into the Surficial Aquifer.

Conveyor Matrix Transport.  Conveyor matrix transport would involve the
placement of matrix onto a belt conveyor at the  active mining area for
transport to the beneficiation plant without the use of water.  While it
would appear that this would eliminate the need  for large quantities of
water involved in slurry transport, there is actually little difference
in the overall operational water needs.  This is because a similar
amount of water to that used in slurry pumping would have to be added to
the conveyored matrix once it reached the plant  to initiate processing.
The need for pumps, and thus the 250 gpm of pump seal water, would be
eliminated—the actual net difference.
                                  3-57

-------
Truck Matrix Transport.  As in  the  case of  conveyor matrix  transport,
truck matrix transport would eliminate the  need  for pump  seal water  from
the Surficial Aquifer  (250 gpm).  However,  it would likely  be necessary
to apply water  to haul roads, etc.  to reduce fugitive particulate
levels.

3.4.2.2.3  Matrix Processing
Conventional Matrix Processing  (Farmland's  Proposed Action).  Conven-
tional matrix processing requires that groundwater be used  in combi-
nation with flotation reagents  to separate  the various  fractions of  the
matrix.  Under normal operating conditions, groundwater will be pumped
at a rate of 8.8 MGD from the Floridan Aquifer.  Figure 3-8 presents the
projected drawdown which this withdrawal would produce.   The contours
shown in this figure were generated using the Trescott  finite difference
model (Trescott 1973) and pump  test data acquired for Farmland's Con-
sumptive Use Permit Application, administered by the SWFWMD.  As pre-
sented, the drawdown contours represented are the result  of withdrawals
from a single well located at the beneficiation plant.  Farmland plans
to evaluate the effects of the Floridan pumping in more detail with
SWFWMD so that all drawdown regulations enforced by SWFWMD  can be met
(i.e., no more than 5 ft at the property boundary, unless a variance is
granted).  The Trescott model predicts a maximum steady state drawdown
of about 31 ft.  This may require that pumping be halted  temporarily
during dry periods in order to prevent the potentiometric surface from
dropping below sea level—violating SWFWMD regulations.

     All the impacts to potentiometric surface in the Floridan Aquifer
are expected to be temporary.  The potentiometric level is expected to
recover once pumping is ended, in much the same way that  the aquifer
recovers from the irrigation pumping each year.

     The elevation of the saltwater-freshwater interface below the site
was determined using the Ghyben-Herzberg principle.  Its  location was
estimated to be 2100 ft below MSL in March 1978.  The great distances to
                                  3-58

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 FIGURE  3-8.   FLORIDAN  AQUIFER DRAWDOWN PROJECTION FOR
              THE  PRODUCTION  WELL  LOCATED AT THE
              FARMLAND  INDUSTRIES,  INC. PLANT SITE;
              PUMPING RATE  6200 6PM.                      -4 N

SOURCE:  ADAPTED FROM DATA PROVIDED BY FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC.
0   2.000 4,000

SCALE IN FEET
                                          3-59

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the interface and the probable presence of a relatively impermeable
evaporite stratum at the base of the Avon Park Limestone should sub-
stantially prevent the upward migration of mineralized water into the
Floridan Aquifer (PELA 1979b).

Dry Matrix Processing.  Dry matrix processing would involve the use of
air and/or electrostatic separation of the matrix fractions.  Thus, the
drop in the potentiometric head of the Floridan Aquifer predicted for
the pumping discussed above should not occur.

     Dry matrix processing should ngt result in any significant changes
in groundwater quality.

3.4.2.2.4  Process Water Sources
Groundwater Withdrawal (Farmland's Proposed Action).  The impacts of
groundwater withdrawal on groundwater quantity are discussed under
"Conventional Matrix Processing", above.

     The impacts of groundwater withdrawal on groundwater quality are
discussed under "Conventional Matrix Processing", above.

Surface Water Impoundment.  Impounded surface waters collected from
above average flows of onsite streams would provide a process water
source capable of satisfying all project requirements.  Therefore,
surface water impoundment should not result in any significant changes
in deep (Floridan)  groundwater quantity.  Surface water impoundment
would also help maintain the water table height in the Surficial Aqui-
fer, at least in the vicinity of the impoundment.

     Because such impounded surface waters would provide a process water
source capable of satisfying all project requirements, surface water
impoundment should not result in any significant changes in deep (Flor-
idan) groundwater quality.
                                  3-60

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3.4.2.2.5  Waste Sand and Clay Disposal
Sand-Clay Mixing (Farmland's Proposed Action).  Farmland proposes to
dispose of most of the waste sand and clay from the beneficiation plant
in the form of a sand-clay mix.  This material will be placed into mined
areas once space becomes available.  Separate sand and clay disposal
areas will also be required during the life of the mine.  Disposal of
waste clay in a separate impoundment (Area I, 495 acres) during the
initial years of operation is required because sufficient mined area
will not be available for sand-clay mix disposal.  During following
years, a separate disposal area (Area II, 583 acres) is required to
control the ratio of sand relay in the mix used to fill mined areas.  In
order to make the initial settling pond (Area I) functional, it will be
filled with water from the Floridan Aquifer prior to operation.  This
will require the withdrawal of about 8.8 mgd over a period of about 1
year.  This withdrawal of water from the Floridan Aquifer will produce a
drawdown similar to that which will occur during normal operations
(Figure 3-8).  Area II will be filled with water from the recirculating
water system and thus should not result in any additional impacts on
groundwater quantity.

     Much of the water withdrawn during normal operations (about 8.8
mgd) will be entrained within the waste disposal areas.  During the
initial years of operation  (when waste sand and clay are disposed of
separately) this will amount to about 4.5 mgd.  It is anticipated that
this loss of water through entrainment will be reduced when sand-clay
mixing is used, but the actual degree of success for water recovery is
not known at this time.

     Farmland's proposed waste disposal plan will also affect the
quantity of water in the Surficial Aquifer, for some of the water used
to transport waste sand and clay and from the ditches and ponds com-
prising the water recirculation system will seep into the Surficial
Aquifer.  Under average annual conditions, this should amount to about
4.5 mgd (Farmland 1979a; 1979b).

-------
     As indicated above, some of the water used  to  transport  these
wastes would seep into the Surficial Aquifer.  This water, if contami-
nated during use, could move laterally and degrade  the quality of the
Surficial Aquifer in adjacent areas.  Ardaman  (1980) reports  that the
coefficient of horizontal permeability for the Surficial Aquifer is on
                     _o
the order of 5.0 x 10   cm/sec, or about 15 ft/day.

     One way to characterize the water quality effects of mixing mine
and beneficiation plant water with Surficial groundwaters is  to compare
existing characterizations of such waters from other mining operations
with the quality of Surficial Aquifer waters.  This comparison is made
in Table 3-12.  The slime supernatant water is the average of analyses
from 15 beneficiation plants in Florida.  According to this comparison,
Surficial Aquifer water quality would be degraded in a localized area
around the sand-clay mixtures.  Concentrations of most constituents
would increase in the area near the reclamation  sites.  While the
concentrations of a number of constituents would increase, available
data do not indicate water quality standards would be exceeded.  Con-
centrations of fluoride in the slime supernatant exceed the 1.5 mg/1
groundwater standard for Florida by about 33 percent.  It is expected
that available mixing would lead to fluoride concentrations below the
standard within a short distance from the reclamation activities.  Ra-
226 concentrations are not expected to rise significantly above back-
ground levels.

Conventional Sand and Clay Disposal.  In conventional sand and clay
disposal,  all of the waste sand and clay generated by the beneficiation
plant would be disposed of in separate areas—that used for clay dis-
posal totaling about 2500 acres.  Such areas would, as described for
Farmland's proposed action, be a source of seepage to the Surficial
Aquifer.  However, the settled clays may form more of a natural "liner"
than sand-clay mix will, significantly reducing such movement.

     The increased entrainment of water by the separately impounded
clays over the life of the mine would increase the amount of water
                                  3-62

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Table 3-12.   COMPARISON OF THE WATER QUALITY OF  SURFICIAL AQUIFER WATER
             AND SURFACE WATER FROM THE FARMLAND INDUSTRIES,  INC. MINE
             SITE TO MEASURED VALUES IN CLAY SETTLING AREA  DISCHARGES.
 Constituents1
                                Surficlal    Surface    Clay Settling  Area
Aquifer'
Water'
Supernatant
pH, pH units
Specific Conductance,
ymhos/cm
Total Dissolved Solids
Calcium
Magnesium
Sodium
Potassium
Bicarbonate
Sulfate
Chloride
Iron
Silica
Fluoride
Nitrate, as N
Phosphorus, as PO,
Radium-226, pCi/1
5.6

98.
64.
10.
3.3
5.5
0.51
32.
7.3
12.
1.6
3.7
0.37
0.20
0.87
0.5
6.4

171.
200.
20.
7.4
9.9
3.6
39.
19.
29.
0.76
8.2
0.20
1.2
1.62
0.12
7.8

523.
348.
57.
22.
18.
1.3
112.
144.
17.
0.119
2.5
2.0
1.06
0.273
0.67
 1Units are mg/1  unless otherwise noted.
 2Average of analyses  from Troublesome,  Hickory,  and Oak Creeks
  (October 1979 and March 1980).
 3Average of analyses  from wells  PT-1 and PT-2 (June 1977 to July 1978).
 ''Lament, et al.   1975.  Characterization Studies of Florida Phosphate
  Slimes.

 Source:   U.S.  EPA.  1979.   Development Document  for Effluent Limitations
          Guidelines and Standards,  Mineral Mining and Processing
          Industry, Point Source  Category.
                                   3-63

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 "lost" relative  to  sand-clay mixing.   Data  presented by Farmland (1979b)
 indicate  that  the loss  incurred  through  such  clay areas could be on the
 order of  4.5 mgd.

     As stated above, the disposal  of  waste sand  and clay in separate
 areas might provide for better containment  of the water used for their
 transport.  This would  reduce seepage  and thus the impacts on the
 quality of the Surficial Aquifer  from  that  described above for Farm-
 land' s proposed  plan.

 3.4.2.2.6  Water Management Plan
 Discharge to Surface Waters (Farmland's  Proposed  Action).   A discharge
 to surface waters should not result in any  significant  changes in
 groundwater quantity or quality.

 Connector Wells.  Connector wells could  be  used to discharge uncon-
 taminated water  from the recirculating water  system to  the deep  aqui-
 fers.  This would to some degree offset  the withdrawal  of  groundwater
 from the Floridan Aquifer for processing.

     Disposal  of collected surface  water in deeper aquifers may  improve
water quality  (in the aquifer) in terms  of  dissolved solids,  but would
probably degrade groundwater quality in  terms  of  other  constituents such
as fluoride, phosphate,  and nitrate.

 3.4.2.2.7  Reclamation
Farmland's Proposed Reclamation Plan.  Farmland proposes  to use  a sand-
clay mix for backfill over the majority of  the mine  site.   The reclaimed
land is expected to have lower hydraulic conductivities because  of  the
higher clay content of  the backfill material.  Consequently,  less
seasonal fluctuation of the Surficial Aquifer  level  is  expected  in
reclaimed areas  than presently occurs  in the unmined land.   The  decrease
in head of the Surficial Aquifer may also act  to  reduce the movement of
water from the Surficial to the Secondary Artesian Aquifer.
                                  3-64

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     The water which comprises the "Surficial Aquifer" of the reclaimed
mine site will most likely be of different quality than exists at
present.  The waste materials disposed of in mined areas will contain
substantial amounts of reagents, etc. which may appear in water with-
drawn from such areas in future years.

Conventional Reclamation.  With conventional reclamation, much of the
site (2500 acres) would be covered with impounded waste clays to a
height of 35 ft above grade.  These areas would be relatively imper-
meable and result in reduced water levels in the Surficial Aquifer.
Those areas not covered with waste clays would be filled with overburden
or sand tailings, or reclaimed as lakes.  In these areas, the Surficial
Aquifer would most likely reestablish to a greater degree than in areas
covered by clays and perhaps even sand-clay mix.

     The quality of the water within the reestablished Surficial Aquifer
may also be higher using conventional reclamation methods.  The reagents
used in matrix processing would for the most part be contained by the
waste clays in the separate disposal areas.  Using sand-clay mix methods,
those compounds may migrate from the waste clays and contaminate
groundwater.

Natural Mine Cut Reclamation.  The numerous water catchment areas (i.e.,
ungraded windrows) produced by natural mine cut reclamation would
probably increase water levels in the Surficial Aquifer.  However, this
would occur at the expense of surface water flows from the site (see
Section 3.5.2.2.7).

     The quality of the water entering the Surficial Aquifer from mined
areas could be of lower quality than for conventional reclamation
because of the stagnation, etc., which could develop in isolated pools
draining into the reclaimed surface.  Such water would not, however,
contain the quantities of reagents which could occur in water from sand-
clay mix landfills.
                                  3-65

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3.5  SURFACE WATER

3.5.1  THE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

3.5.1.1  Surface Water Quantity
     The Farmland mine site is located in an area typical of the Coastal
Lowlands physiographical region.  The site consists of nearly level
plains, gently undulating to rolling areas with numerous swamps and
marshes, and numerous intermittent and perennial streams.  Sinkholes are
common in the region, but no sinkholes or perennial lakes exist on the
Farmland property.  Elevations onsite range from 35 to 100 ft above MSL
(PELA 1979).

     The distribution and circulation of water in the atmosphere, on the
land surface, and in the soil and underlying rocks of the Farmland site
are typical of the Middle Gulf Hydrologic System as described by Cherry,
et al. (1970).  This well established hydrologic pattern is a result of
the semi-tropical climatological regime, the very flat relief, the
unconsolidated surficial deposits, and the limestone and dolomite
geologic formations of the region.  The frequent occurrence of rain
storms in the summer months results in high stream discharges, and
occasionally some local flooding.  During the remainder of the year
rains are usually less frequent and stream flows decrease, some streams
go completely dry, and much of the flow in the others is baseflow that
drains from the unconfined aquifer.  The amount of baseflow ranges from
14 to 20 percent of the total yearly runoff.

     Most of the mine site lies within portions of the drainage basins
of Troublesome, Hickory, and Oak Creeks, which are all tributaries of
the Peace River.  The drainage divides are poorly defined and in some
areas are overtopped during floods.  About 4 percent of the site is
                                  3-66

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adjacent to and drains directly into the Peace River.  The pre-mining
drainage areas and average annual flows are as follows:
                                    Area
                                   (acres)
     Troublesome                   1,167
     Hickory                       2,261
     Oak                           4,055
     Peace                           250
     Total                         7,733           40.2

     Each stream on the Farmland property was monitored between June
1977 and August 1978,  and the streamflows were compared to the dis-
charges at the U.S.G.S. gaging station on Horse Creek near Arcadia,
Florida.  Average streamflows for the streams on the site have been
estimated based on these Horse Creek data (Table 3-13) .  All of the
streams on the Farmland property, except Troublesome Creek, were ob-
served to be dry during the spring and fall of 1977 and 1978.  Their 2-
and 10-year, 7-day low flow is zero.  The low-flows estimated for
Troublesome Creek are 0.4 cfs for the 2-year, 7-day low flow and 0.04
cfs for the 10-year,  7-day low flow.

     Peak flow estimates for the streams on the Farmland property were
made by applying drainage basin parameters of area, main channel slope,
and storage to an equation developed from flow data collected from 15
gages streams comprising 439 station years of published peak flows in
the Florida phosphate region.  Peak flows were calculated for recurrence
intervals of 2, 5, 25, and 100 years (PELA 1979) and are shown in Table
3-13.

3.5.1.2  Surface Water Quality
     The Farmland site lies within the Peace River Basin.  The water
quality of the Peace River, as well as others in the region, is greatly
influenced by flow—with higher dissolved solids and ionic concentra-
tions occurring in the October-May dry period.  The Peace River's flow
                                  3-67

-------
Table 3-13.   AVERAGE AND FLOOD FLOWS OF STREAMS AT SELECTED SITES ON
              THE FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC. MINE SITE.
  Location
Drainage   Average
  Area       Flow
(Sq.Mi.)    (cfs)
                                                     Flood Flows  (cfs)
         2-yr.  5-yr.  25-yr.  100-yr.
  TROUBLESOME CREEK

  Inflow to property,
    Section 36
  16.6
  Outflow from property,
    Section 1               17.7
16.4      365    776    1680    2900


17.5      381    811    1750    3020
  HICKORY CREEK

  Outflow of upper segment,
    Section 26               2.56

  Inflow to property,
             2.6
          103    192     393     590
Section 35
0.67 mile from mouth
OAK CREEK
Inflow from upper Oak
Creek below railroad,
Section 9
Section 11
Outflow from property
3.64
6.12
10.6
15.5
16.4
3.7
6.9
10.2**
14.9**
15.8**
157 306 691 1012
_*
185 287 424 592
_
35l 640 1188 19.0
   *No Data.
  **Based on total drainage with no adjustment for natural flood diversions
   to Brushy and Horse Creek.

  Source:  P.E.  LaMoreaux & Associates, Inc. (1979).
                                    3-68

-------
is quite variable because of the relatively large contribution of
overland runoff.  Also affecting water quality in the Peace River are:
(1) releases of pollutants into streams or lakes through point dis-
charge; (2) failures of retaining dikes around treatment ponds;  (3)
overland runoff; and (4) inflow from contaminated aquifers hydraulically
connected to the streams and lakes of the basin.  Excessive concen-
trations of phosphates, fluorides, and nitrate and nitrite nitrogen are
frequently found in Peace River Basin waters below the site.  Excessive
values have occasionally been measured for turbidity, ammonia nitrogen,
and coliform bacteria.  Phosphate mining activities in upstream  areas
account for phosphate and fluoride concentrations, while nitrogen
concentrations may come from either point or non-point sources.  Coli-
form bacteria come directly from sewage treatment plant discharges or
from septic tank influence in the populated but unsewered areas.

     Other affected watersheds included in the Peace River Basin are the
Troublesome, Hickory, and Oak Creeks.  A summary of surface water
quality data from these watersheds is presented in Table 3-14.   Surface
water quality on and immediately adjacent to the site is generally good,
although it does have a tendency to vary with time on a daily and
seasonal basis.  The primary causes of these observed variations appear
to be related to several factors, of which stream discharge rates,
biologic activity, and drainage basin land use seem to be the most
important.  Based on their dissolved salt content, these surface waters
can be characterized as being similar to the waters of the Surficial
Aquifer, a result that is not entirely unexpected considering the role
of this aquifer in providing base flow to streams.

     When the existing surface water conditions were examined for
conformance with the Florida standards, the dissolved oxygen standard
for Florida waters was found to be violated with greatest regularity.
However, the cause of this violation is a naturally occurring phenomenon
resulting from the structure of the biologic community occupying these
waters.  Similarly, occasional violations of the alkalinity, pH, fluo-
ride, iron, and fecal coliform standards have occurred.  For the most
                                  3-69

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u>
                     Table  3-14.    STATISTICAL  SUMMARY OF SURFACE  WATER  QUALITY DATA FROM  SELECTED  STATIONS  ON  THE
                                       FARMLAND  INDUSTRIES,  INC.  MINE  PROPERTY;  JUNE  1977 - JUNE  1978.
Parameter1
Discharge, cfs
Conductivity, (jmhos/cm
pH, std. units
Suspended solids
Total organic carbon
Dissolved oxygen
Biochemical oxygen demand
(5-day)
Nitrogen as N
Nitrate/Nitrite
Ammonia
Organic
Phosphate as P
Ortho
Total
Dissolved silica
Fluoride
Iron
Aluminum
Fecal coniform (///100ml)

x"
_
290
6.4
9
18.3
7.6

-

0.777
0.08
0.97

2.30
2.57
3.9
1.4
-
-
180
Peace
S.D.
_
77
0.6
5
7.3
1.7

-

0.313
0.05
0.45

0.71
0.85
2.2
0.55
-
-
260
River'
Mln.
_
140
5.4
<5
8.5
5.2

-

0.465
<0.03
0.27

1.41
1.61
1.1
0.37
-
_
<2
Troublesome Creek"
Max.
„
430
7.4
22
33.8
9.8

-

1.47
0.23
2.3

3.79
4.50
8.7
2.6
-
-
1200
X
48
221
6.6
7
21.8
7.3

-

1.56
0.06
1.2

0.602
0.82
4.3
0.37
-
_
640
S.D.
162
79
0.6
3
11.6
1.8

-

1.07
0.03
0.6

0.164
0.27
2.3
0.14
-
-
1620
Min.
0.0
128
5.5
<5
3.5
4.5

-

0.136
<0.03
0.36

0.245
0.55
1.0
0.11
-
-
15
Max.
771
310
7.5
17
44.0
10.0

-

3.89
0.12
2.8

0.89
1.8
8.4
0.54
-
-
7600
X
53
144
6.3
12
28
6.9

-

0.079
0.06
1.4

0.65
0.91
3.6
0.32
-
-
740
Hickory
S.D.
130
53
0.7
20
11
3.0

-

0.08
0.05
0.6

0.26
0.43
2.9
0.18
-
-
1390
Creek5
Min.
0.0
50
4.4
<5
5.8
0.2

-

<0.004
<0.03
0.14

0.323
0.41
0.2
0.08
-
-
<2
Oak Creek6
Max.
540
245
7.8
116
50
12.2

-

0.293
0.22
3.3

1.3
2,8
12.2
0.88
-
-
7500
X
104
154
6.2
19
39.1
4.8

-

0.115
0.08
2.4

0.75
1.2
4.3
0.30
-
-
750
S.D.
330
67
0.6
23
13.1
3.0

-

0.324
0.08
2.6

0.52
0.72
3.4
0.16
-
-
2500
Min.
0.0
58
4.8
<5
10.2
0.0

-

<0.004
<0.03
<0.02

0.223
0.04
0.5
0.11
-
*•
<2
Max.
1390
350
7.0
117
67.8
15.1

-

2.09
0.44
14.9

3.50
3.66
16.5
1.1
-
-
17,000
                        in rag/1 unless otherwise noted.
               Abbreviations:  x - mean; S.D. - Standard Deviation;  Min. - Minimum Value Determined; Max. - Maximum Value Determined.
               'Stations SW-15 and SW-16 (24 samples between June 1977 to June 1978).
               "Stations SW-11 and SW-12 (24 samples between June 1977 to June 1978).
               'Stations SW-4, SW-9, SW-13, and SW-14 (42 samples between June 1977 to June 1978).
               'Stations SW-2, SW-6, SW-7, and SW-8 (46  samples between June  1977 to June 1978).
               Source:  All data used in this analysis were as reported by P.E. LaMoreaux & Associates,  Inc. (1978).

-------
part, these conditions also appear to be a reflection of natural con-
ditions in these waters.  Limited analyses for radiochemical constit-
uents failed to find detectable levels of total uranium, thorium-230,
gross alpha, or gross beta.  Ra-226 concentrations ranged from 0.0 to
0.38 pCi/1.  The EPA standard for combined Ra-226 and Ra-228 concentra-
tions is 5.0 pCi/1.  Conformance with this standard cannot be determined
from the available data, as concurrent Ra-228 analyses were not performed.

3.5.2  ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES OF THE ALTERNATIVES

3.5.2.1  The No Action Alternative
     Under the no action alternative no appreciable changes in the
existing surface water quantity are anticipated.  The present seasonal
changes in streamflow will not be affected, flood flows will not, be
changed, nor will the extent of flooding.  This alternative will also
cause no change in the hydrologic characteristics of streams or change
in rate of baseflow to them.

     Surface water quality under the no action alternative will depend
on the future uses for land in the area.  If land use patterns in the
immediate area remain fairly constant over the next few decades, surface
water quality should remain much as it is today.  If other phosphate
mining and processing projects are permitted, selected stream waters may
show increases in TDS, sulfate, phosphate, nitrogen, and fluorides.  The
amount of increase would depend upon the type of mining and chemical
processing operations utilized in these facilities.  Slight increases in
radiological concentrations in surface waters may also be expected.

3.5.2.2  The Action Alternatives, Including the Proposed Action

3.5.2.2.1  Mining
Dragline Mining (Farmland's Proposed Action).  Land clearing in prepa-
ration for mining will also increase surface water runoff from areas
prior to mining, but because Farmland proposes to minimize the amount of
                                  3-71

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cleared land  (e.g., averaging only about 20 acres at any  given  time),
this impact should be minimal.  The land acreage cleared  during a  given
year will likely be at its highest just prior to the wet  season, since
the heavy machinery used in such clearing would be more difficult  to
operate on the saturated terrain.  Rainfall from cleared  land that has
not been mined will continue to flow to natural streams.  As mining
advances, a greater proportion of surface water would be  retained  in the
active pits, with less flowing overland into existing creeks.

     The most significant impact on surface water flows will result from
the retention of water in the mine pits.  Precipitation caught  in  the
pits will become part of the water recirculation system.  Thus, runoff
from the site during mining will be less than prior to mining,  and
stream flows  (even flood flows) will be less (Table 3-15).  It  is
estimated that by the fifteenth year of mine operation the  total average
stream flow from the Farmland site will have decreased by about 2  cfs  (5
percent).  Data are presented for year 15 because that is the year in
which the largest total percentage of land is expected to be disturbed.
The stream flows in Table 3-15 include the water expected to be dis-
charged from the mine recirculation system into Hickory and Oak Creeks.
These discharges are expected to occur only during periods of high
rainfall and flows.  If such discharges were not made, the maximum
reduction in stream flow from the site during mining would be about 5
cfs (i.e., 3 cfs will be returned to the streams as mine water  discharge-
resulting in a stream flow reduction of about 2 cfs).

     Farmland's proposed mine plan calls for the mining of portions of
the Oak Creek and Hickory Creek 25-year floodplain.  Diversion  channels
will be constructed prior to such mining so that the flows can  be  diver-
ted to adjacent systems.  Such diversions will be graded with the
necessary meanders and vegetated prior to altering the flow patterns.
These diversions will be designed for a 25-year rainfall event.  Fol-
lowing mining, floodplains will be back-filled and graded to form  a new
stream channel and revegetated prior to the reintroduction of the
stream.  During the mining of Hickory Creek, flow will be diverted to
                                  3-72

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Table 3-15.  DRAINAGE AREAS ON FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC. SITE AND
             DISCHARGE FROM PROPERTY BOUNDARY.

Troublesome
Hickory
Oak
Peace
TOTAL
Before
Area
1,167
2,261
4,055
250
7,733
Mining
Flow
(cfs)
17.5
6.9
15.8
-
40.2
Year
During
Area
1,099
1,763
3,190
250
6,302
15
Mining
Flow
(cfs)
17.4
6.0
14.9
-
38.3
After
Area
918
2,598
3,967
250
7,733
Mining
Flow
(cfs)
17.1
6.9
15.7
-
39.7
 Source:  Farmland Industries, Inc., DRI June 1979.
                                    3-73

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Troublesome Creek.  The flood flow in Troublesome Creek would be about
40 percent greater for a 25-year rainfall event and 44 percent greater
for a 100-year flood if these events were to occur while Hickory Creek
is diverted to it.  The diversions are described in more detail in the
following section.

     Less dramatic than the effect of drainage basin changes, but still
a factor in the overall impact of precipitation on the mine property,
will be the effects of decreased infiltration rates.  Infiltration will
essentially not occur on the land areas (111 acres) covered by build-
ings, pavement and other impervious materials.  Also, it is expected
that the infiltration rate in the clay settling areas (1078 acres) and
sand-clay mix areas (3915 acres) will be much less than the original
rate.  The result will be increasingly greater runoff as the reclamation
proceeds.  This tendency, however, will be more than offset by the
presence of onsite retention areas, with the overall net impact being an
approximate 0.5 cfs decrease in runoff.

     Another factor likely to significantly affect local stream flows
will be a reduction in baseflow which could occur when mine pits near a
stream are dewatered.   Baseflow in a portion of a stream could be
locally absent or less than average during the time that an active mine
pit abuts the stream.   In dry years groundwater may contribute up to 40
percent of the annual runoff from these streams.  In wet years at least
25 percent of the flow is from groundwater.  Mining is planned within
200 ft of Troublesome Creek in years 10, 15, and 17; within 100 ft of
preserved portions of Hickory Creek in years 1, 12, 13, and 17; and
within 100 ft of Oak Creek in years 1, 4, 6, and 10.  It is estimated
that 0.4 gal/min per ft of mine cut will enter the mine pits (assuming
saturated conditions).  Thus a 300 ft cut directly adjacent to Oak Creek
in mining Block 10A would have a maximum flow of about 3 cfs or 3
percent of the creek's average flow.  However, this impact would only be
temporary.
                                  3-74

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     A discussion of the water quantity impacts on specific surface
waters is presented in the following paragraphs.

                         Troublesome Creek
     There is no mining planned for the Troublesome Creek floodplain.
The only mining to be done in this drainage basin will be between years
10 and 19.  The largest impact to the Troublesome Creek system will
likely be the increased flow during years 13 to 17 resulting from the
diversion of Upper Hickory Creek.  On the average this additional flow
will be only about 4 cfs, but flood flows would result in a more signif-
icant addition.  The added water would increase the level of the 100-
year floodplain in Troublesome Creek by 1 foot.  Although some of the
area adjacent to the 100-year floodplain (as calculated without the
diversion) is scheduled to be mined during the time of the diversion,
the channel is fairly steep-walled and floodwater, even with the di-
verted flow, would not inundate the mining area.

     Troublesome Creek flows into the Peace River on Farmland property.
The increased flow in Troublesome Creek (from the Hickory Creek diver-
sion) will be so small in comparison to the flow in Peace River that the
diversion will have no detectable effect on the river.  This flow would
normally enter the river through Hickory Creek—about 1 mile downstream
of Troublesome Creek.

                           Hickory Creek
     The drainage basin of Hickory Creek contains the areas designated
for:  the central office for the mine, the beneficiation plant, the
clear water pond, and parts of clay settling areas I and IIB.  The
western divide of Upper Hickory Creek basin is also to be realigned to
the west of its original location.  However, the net change in the area
of the Hickory Creek drainage basin will be negligible, and stream flow
at the exit of Hickory Creek from the mine property will be about the
same after mining as before.
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     Flows in Hickory Creek will be greatly altered during  the mining of
its stream channel.  In order to permit mining of portions  of the
Hickory Creek floodplain, two stream diversions are planned for Hickory
Creek.  Only about half the length of its original floodplain on the
Farmland property is to remain undisturbed.  The biggest  diversion will
be that from Upper Hickory Creek to Troublesome Creek across Sections 1
and 2, T35S R24E.  The diversion will be made just below  a  preserved
section of the floodplain.  The flow will be diverted for about 4 years
while the original floodplain is mined and reclaimed with a lake system.
This will deprive the floodplain of lower Hickory Creek of  its usual
supply of water  (about 4 cfs at the point of diversion).  Dewatering of
the Surficial Aquifer when that area is mined (years 12-14)  will further
deprive the system of its water supply, to the point that Hickory Creek
is likely to be dry at the property exit for a large part of the year
(i.e., a temporary loss of 6.2 cfs average flow).  The other diversion
in the Hickory Creek basin will be to a tributary in Section 26, T34S
R34E.  This tributary will be permanently relocated from  a  mineable area
to one that is to be otherwise undisturbed.  The resultant  differences
in flow are expected to be slight.

                             Oak Creek
     The portions of Oak Creek to be preserved include most of the Oak
Creek Islands area and floodplain.  However, parts of clay  settling
areas I and IIB and all of settling area HA lie within this drainage
basin.  Settling area HA lies just upstream of the Oak Creek Islands
area.  Two diversions are planned in this area so that the  10.6 cfs
average flow can be maintained to Oak Creek Islands while settling area
II is constructed and the area to its south is mined.  Flow to the
Islands area is currently ill-defined and variable.  The  proposed
diversions will stabilize flow at the upstream end of the Islands area.
The flow of Oak Creek should remain about what it currently is (15.8 cfs
at the outflow from the property).

     The primary surface water quality impact associated  with mining
would be the elevation of suspended sediment loads in the streams which
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flow from the site due to vegetation removal ahead of the mining oper-
ation.  Farmland plans to limit the amount of cleared land ahead of the
mining operation to only that actually necessary (usually about 20 acres
at a given time).  This should result in only minimal increases in
suspended sediment levels in site streams.

     A temporary increase in the suspended sediment load of Oak Creek
will probably result from the planned dragline crossing of this creek in
mine years 4, 6, and 10.  However, this impact should be minimal if, as
proposed by Farmland, such crossings are timed to coincide with dry, no
flow periods and the crossing areas are vegetated prior to the crossing
and returned to their original contours afterwards.

     Spills of various materials might also affect water quality.  The
potential effects of spills of gasoline and diesel fuel are primarily
controlled by evaporation losses.  For spilled gasoline, almost total
evaporation might be expected within several hours.  Approximately one-
half of a No. 2 fuel oil spill might evaporate in a similar amount of
time, while lesser amounts would evaporate for a No. 4 fuel oil spill.
The precise rate and total amount of evaporation is related to a number
of variables including air and water temperature, humidity, wind, and
condition of the spilled material.  Typically, the bulk of oil com-
ponents subject to evaporation will be lost in the first 24 hours of the
spill.

Dredge Mining.  The impacts associated with the disruption of surface
flows described above for dragline mining would also occur if the
Farmland deposit were dredge mined.  However, dredge mining would
require that sufficient water levels be maintained in the active mining
area to support the dredge unit.  When mining adjacent to undisturbed
areas (e.g., lower Hickory Creek), the water contained within the active
mining area would maintain the water level in the Surficial Aquifer and
thus its baseflow contribution to surface water flows in such areas.
Adverse water quality impacts could result from the release of turbid
water from the dredge pond to surface waters.  Large amounts of such
water would have to be stored and handled using the dredge mining method.
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Bucketwheel Mining.  Bucketwheel mining would have impacts  on  surface
water quantity and quality similar to  those discussed under dragline
mining.

3.5.2.2.2  Matrix Transport
Slurry Matrix Transport  (Farmland's Proposed Action).  A break in a
slurry pipeline near a stream crossing could result in a dramatic
increase in flow and suspended solids  content, and smaller  increases in
pH, fluorides, Ra-226, specific conductance, and total dissolved solids
levels in the affected stream.  However, the potential for  such an
occurrence should be minimal if, as proposed by Farmland, double walled
pipelines equipped with  cut-off valves and pressure sensitive  alarms are
used at stream crossings.

Conveyor Matrix Transport.  This alternative offers a potential water
quantity and quality improvement because of the reduction in spill
potential through the elimination of slurry pipelines.  As  indicated
above, spills of matrix material from  slurry pipelines would increase
levels of conductivity, Ra-226, suspended solids, and total dissolved
solids.   Much smaller increases might occur if matrix is lost  from a
conveyor transport system.

Truck Matrix Transport.  This alternative offers potential  water quan-
tity and quality advantages similar to those which conveyor matrix
transport offers.  The potential for spillage of matrix into surface
waters would probably be the least of all the matrix transport alter-
natives considered.  The movement of heavy trucks along haul roads
could, however, result in increased suspended solids levels in creeks—
especially during periods of heavy rainfall when runoff would be high.

3.5.2.2.3  Matrix Processing
Conventional Matrix Processing (Farmland's Proposed Action).  Conven-
tional matrix processing involves the separation of the matrix fractions
by washing and flotation methods.  The waste streams from the plant
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consist primarily of sand and clay in slurry form.  Some of the water
used in these slurry lines creates a potential for downstream flooding,
the extent of which would depend on the volume being pumped and the
duration of the break.  Since such a break would have the greatest
affect at a stream crossing, Farmland plans to use double-walled pipe
culverts at all stream crossings and install pressure sensitive devices
that will sound an alarm should a failure in the inner pipe occur.

     In the event of a break in any of the waste or water return pipe-
lines, a potential for degradation of surface water quality would
exist.  The degradation would be greatest if a clay slurry pipeline
broke near a stream crossing.  Such a break would greatly increase
suspended solids levels in the receiving stream.  The use of Farmland's
preventive measures described above should minimize the potential for
such degradation to occur.

Dry Matrix Processing.  Dry matrix processing would likely eliminate the
potential for the water quantity impacts discussed above.  If the dry
processing technique involved only dry separation (i.e., waste sand and
clay would be rewetted and pumped to the disposal site following sepa-
ration) , the impacts would be the same as described above for conven-
tional matrix processing.

     Dry matrix processing would also likely eliminate the potential for
water quality impacts associated with handling of the sand and clay
wastes generated.

3.5.2.2.4  Waste Sand and Clay Disposal

Sand-Clay Mixing (Farmland's Proposed Action).  Farmland proposes to use
sand-clay mixing within mined areas as their primary waste disposal
technique.  Use of this  technique over 3915 acres of the site, as
planned by Farmland, will result in the creation  of a land surface which
will maintain surface water flow from the site at about  the existing
rate  (see 3.5.2.2.7  Reclamation).
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     Farmland also proposes  to dispose  of waste  sand  and  clay  in  sepa-
rate impoundments.  The 1078 acres of clay  settling ponds which will  be
created will remove this acreage  from the surface water drainage  basins
for the operational life of  the mine.   The  clay  impoundments will
receive a clay slurry at about 3  percent solids  which eventually  settle
to about 25-30 percent solids.  During  the  time  when  an area is re-
ceiving clay slurry, the impoundment would  contain material at a  wide
range of densities—from near 30  percent to less than 3 percent solids.
Failures in the dikes used to impound these wastes have occurred  in past
years, but since the implementation of  the  state construction  and
inspection standards in 1971, no  dam built  by  the phosphate industry  has
failed.  Strict compliance with the current standards should insure the
integrity of all dams proposed by Farmland.  However,  an  estimate of  the
maximum area which would be  affected by a dam  break has been made
(Farmland 1979a).  The worst-case situation would involve a break in
Settling Area I, the largest (495 acres) undivided settling area  pro-
posed for the operation.  In estimating the area affected by a break  in
the retention dam for this area,  the following assumptions were made:
        • the area is filled to its maximum operating capacity of 35 ft
          above natural grade;
        • the break occurs in the north side of the dam and clays escape
          onto level terrain; and
        • the clays are in a semi-solid state and form a slope of 1:1000
          away from the breach in the dam.
     Based on these assumptions, approximately two-thirds  (or 11,500
acre-feet) of the impounded clays would escape and cover an area of
approximately 6 square miles.  The assumption of level  topography is, of
course, not strictly realistic.  Because of the entrenched topography of
the onsite drainage courses, most of the clays released from a dam break
would probably find their way into Oak or Hickory Creek.  Probably only
a few hundred acres of land would be affected, and the  clay spill would
affect primarily the onsite and downstream stream courses.
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     In comparison to the worst-case situation of a break in one of the
clay settling areas, the area affected by a break in the thickener berm
or a sand-clay retention dam would be much less.  Only about 15 acre-
feet of clay suspension will be impounded above natural grade in the
thickener; therefore, even if all the above grade impounded clays
escaped, the released material would be only 0.13 percent of the ma-
terial released in the worst-case situation.

     Because of the rapid consolidation of wastes projected for sand-
clay landfills, most of the wastes confined in these areas should be of
a higher density than the separately impounded clays.  Based on data
presented by Farmland (1979a), this increase in density will result in a
decrease in volume on the order of 35 percent—largely because of the
greater degree of dewatering which will result from sand-clay mixing.
Thus, a break in a sand-clay mix disposal area dike would result in the
release of a smaller quantity of material than if a clay impoundment
dike failed.  Applying the volume reduction factor to the preceeding
clay impoundment failure analysis, the amount released would be about
7500 acre-feet.  The actual release would probably be less than this
estimate because of the smaller impountment acreages which will be
involved in the disposal of sand-clay mix.

Conventional Sand and Clay Disposal.  The disposal of all sand and clay
wastes generated by the mine using conventional (separate) methods would
result in the entrainment of a larger amount of water than would sand-
clay mixing.  This would result in a reduction in the potential need to
discharge from the recirculating water system.  The large open ponds
which are characteristic of conventional clay disposal would also
provide greater surface area for evaporative water losses, further
reducing the potential need for a discharge, and would offer water
storage capacity not provided by the smaller dikes of sand-clay mix
areas.

     If conventional sand and clay disposal techniques were used by
Farmland, water retention on the site (i.e., zero discharge of effluent)
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might be accomplished more effectively.  On the other hand,  the creation
of larger areas containing impounded clays would increase  the proba-
bility of an accidental release which would have serious effects on
water quality.  If Farmland were to dispose of all  the waste clays in
such settling areas, approximately 57 percent (2500 acres) of the mined-
out area would contain impounded clays to a height of 35 ft above
natural grade.  Since these areas would be compartmentized, a break
would not result in the release of such clays from  the entire area.
Therefore, the impact should be comparable to that described for a break
in a dike of Farmland's proposed Area I.  However,  the probability of
such a break will be greater.

3.5.2.2.5  Process Water Sources
Groundwater Withdrawal (Farmland's Proposed Action).  The withdrawal of
groundwater from deep (1400 ft) wells should not have any  significant
effects on surface water quantity or quality in the vicinity of the
site.

Surface Water Impoundment.  Surface waters impounded on the site for use
as process water would consist largely of stored flood flows.  The dams
used for such storage would probably best operate with the normal level
at elevation 65 ft, allowing the 5 ft up to the 70 ft as emergency
capacity to catch any heavy rainfall periods.  This 5 ft capacity would
be approximately 5300 acre-feet of water.  The water available to be
collected in any major reservoir system depends upon available rainfall.
Farmland already plans to collect a nominal average of 10.6 cfs of
normal rainfall, and 18.6 cfs of the 25-year maximum flood flow.  The
excess flow available from the site land area could be expected to be as
much as 6.6 cfs (normal rainfall) and 12.6 cfs (for a 25-year maximum
flood).  Allowing for the minimum discharge of 2.6 and 3.7 cfs to Oak
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and Hickory Creeks, respectively, the potential reservoir gain, de-
pending upon rainfall intensity, would be:

                                 2 Yr    5 Yr   25 Yr   100 Yr
     Hickory Creek  (Acre feet)—   61     489    1435    2347
     Oak Creek  (Acre feet)—      472    1045    2131    3445

These quantities allow for continuous normal stream flow as well as a
certain amount  trapped by Farmland within its system.  Converting  the
above flows to million gallons per day (mgd) on a 365 day year, the
source volume would be:

                                 2 Yr    5 Yr   25 Yr   100 Yr
     Hickory Creek  (Acre feet)— 0.05    0.44    1.28    2.10
     Oak Creek  (Acre feet)—     0.42    0.93    1.90    3.08
                                 0.47    1.37'   3.18    5.18

Such storage would prevent flood flows from reaching the downstream
portions of the affected streams.

     A benefit of this alternative would be its potential  to store
excess clarified water from the recirculating water system, reducing the
need for a direct discharge to Oak Creek or Hickory Creek.  However,
because of the relatively high nitrogen and phosphorus content of
Hickory and Oak Creeks (which would feed the reservoirs),  the long
retention time of water in the reservoirs, and the fairly  shallow depth
of the reservoirs, high algal productivity within the impoundment may
result.  Potential water quality problems within an impoundment re-
sulting from such high plant productivity may include algal mats and
odors.

3.5.2.2.6  Water Management Plan
Discharge to Surface Waters (Farmland's Proposed Action).  Farmland
proposes to utilize a water management plan which incorporates recircu-
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lation and reuse  to  a large degree.  Normally,  there will be no  dis-
charges from  the  mine recirculating water  system  because retention  areas
will have sufficient surge holding capacity  to  accommodate normal
process flow  and  rainfall variations.  Water will be discharged  to
Hickory Creek only during periods of heavy rainfall  (Farmland  1979a).
The additional volume of water input to natural flows  at those times
should not cause  any significant flooding, etc.,  above that which would
normally occur downstream of the discharge point  during such periods.

     As indicated above, no discharge of effluent is anticipated under
normal rainfall conditions.  However, under  extreme rainfall conditions
excess water  will be discharged into Hickory Creek from the clear water
pool, but only after flowing through the clay settling area.   Bene-
ficiation plant effluent, including reagents used in the flotation
treatment, will be mixed with waste clays  as these are slurried.  The
reagents used  and the ratio of dilution in the  wastewater if they were
to pass through the  beneficiation process  without chemically reacting
would be as follows:

     Reagent            Consumption (gal/day)   Ratio  of Dilution
     Sodium Hydroxide          5508                 9,600:1
     Fatty Acid                3917                13,500:1
     Fuel Oil                  5998                 8,800:1
     Sulfuric Acid             3794                13,900:1
     Amine                     6242                 8,500:1
     Kerosene                   612                86,400:1

Most of the reagents should adsorb onto the  clay  particles and settle in
the disposal areas,   leaving only trace amounts  in the water.

     Depending on flow in Hickory and/or Oak Creek, these discharges may
have some effect  on water quality in these creeks.  Table 3-12 (page 3-
63) presents a comparison of the water quality  characteristics of slime
supernatant from  15 beneficiation plants in Florida with surface water
characteristics at the Farmland site.   If discharges occur as planned
(i.e.,  primarily  in response to heavy rainfall  events), increases in
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the concentrations of selected water quality parameters might be ex-
pected.  A comparison of the data in Table 3-12 indicates that increases
in the receiving water concentrations of specific conductance, fluoride
and sulfate would occur.  During the high flow season, it is not ex-
pected that these increases would exceed water quality standards (Table
3-16).  If these discharges occurred during the dry season, when no flow
conditions are common, the Florida fluoride standard might be exceeded.
Based on the Table 3-12 data, no other water quality standards are
expected to be exceeded due to the effluent discharge.  A more recent
categorization of effluent from similar phosphate rock processing
plants by Ochsner and Blackwood (1978) (Table 3-17) leads to the same
conclusion.

     Another constituent of concern is Ra-226.  Mills, et al. (1977)
reviewed the beneficiation process with respect to radioactivity in
water.  If the findings of that study are adjusted using the ratio of
central Florida matrix radioactivity to that of the Farmland site, the
following can be concluded:
        • Most of the waste product radioactivity will be present in the
          clay entrained water.  For the Farmland site, this amounts to
          approximately 3600 gpm of water at a Ra-226 concentration of
          <2 pCi/1 (dissolved) and 50 pCi/1 (undissolved), the latter
          value being highly dependent upon the total suspended solids
          in the clay wastes.
        • Although no chemical processes are used to treat the discharge
          from clay settling areas, the concentration of Ra-226 will
          normally be <1 pCi/1 due to removal of suspended solids by
          settling and the incorporation of some dissolved material in
          the settling floe.
     The concentrations of Ra-226 in dissolved and undissolved fractions
of effluent from several clay impoundment effluents  (EPA 1979b) have
been found to be generally about 0.7 pCi/1 (dissolved) and 0.6 pCi/1
(undissolved).   Comparing these data with available data on surface
water Ra-226 concentrations in affected streams  (Table 3-12) indicates
that Ra-226 concentrations will be higher than the receiving waters.
However, existing stream RA-226 levels may not be exceeded if plant
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Table 3-16. STATE AND FEDERAL WATER QUALITY CRITERIA AND STANDARDS.
Parameter
    Florida
Class III Water
   Standard
National Interim
Primary Drinking
Water Regulations
     U.S. EPA
   Water Quality
     Criteria
Alkalinity,
  Total as CaCO-

Aluminum

Ammonia (unionized)

Bacteriological
  (Fecal colifonn)
      20


       1.5

       0.02

    200/100 ml
Color

Dissolved oxygen (min.)  5.0

Fluoride              Marine only

Iron                     1.0

Nitrate-Nitrogen

Oils and Grease           -

pH (Std. units)        6.0-8.5

Phosphate, Total as P

Turbidity
      1/100 ml
                        1.4
                       10
                        1.0 STU
                              20
            0.02

          200/100 ml


           75 (Health)

            5.0



            0.3

           10

0 (Domestic water supply)

         5.0-9.0
     units in milligrams/liter unless otherwise noted.

Source;   Florida Administrative Code (Section 17-3.121); National
               Interim Primary Drinking Water Regulations (40 CFR 141);
               US EPA Quality Criteria for Water.  1976.
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Table  3-17. EFFLUENT CONCENTRATION OF SELECTED POLLUTANTS FROM
            PHOSPHATE ROCK PROCESSING OPERATIONS IN FLORIDA

Constituent
Total Suspended Solids, mg/1
Phosphorus, mg/1
Fluoride, mg/1
pH, pH units
Maximum Daily Average Concentration
Low High Average
0.18 21.65 8.43
0.36 2.54 1.21
1.19 2.42 1.79
6.0 7.5
Source:  Ochsner and Blackwood.  1978.
Source Assessment:  Chemical and Fertilizer Mineral Industry.
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discharges occur as expected during periods of high creek flows.  In
addition to Ra-226, Ra-228 levels will increase at discharge points.
Recent evidence (Michel and Moore 1980) indicates that the Ra-228/Ra-226
ratio may be above 2, which would mean that the 5.0 pCi/1 combined Ra-
228 and Ra-226 water quality standard might be exceeded at the discharge
point on occasion.  The EPA effluent guideline for the phosphate in-
dustry is 9 pCi/1 of Ra-226.

Connector Wells.  Use of connector wells to discharge excess noncon-
taminated water from the recirculating water system to deep aquifers
would reduce the potential for a surface water discharge and the incre-
mental increase in stream flow that such a discharge would produce.

3.5.2.2.7  Reclamation
Farmland's Proposed Reclamation Plan.  As described under Farmland's
proposed waste sand and clay disposal plan, most  (80 percent) of the
reclaimed mine site will be filled with a sand-clay mixture.  A single
clay impoundment covering 583 acres will also remain, and 235 acres of
lakes will be formed.  Farmland proposes to deposit sand-clay mix and to
grade overburden piles such that surface water will flow from these
areas to natural stream courses.  The post-reclamation drainage pattern
planned for the site is shown in Figure 3-9.

     The reclaimed surface soils will probably have infiltration rates
lower than the original soils; thus surface runoff will probably be
greater.  However, additional retention and evaporation will occur from
the lakes and marshes created as part of the reclamation plan.  Taking
these losses into account, an annual average decrease in surface water
flow on the order of 0.5 cfs is predicted for the entire site (Table 3-15)

     The land cover established on the reclaimed site will be substan-
tially different from that now present.  Improved pasture/agricultural
land will increase from 2416 acres at present to 4097 acres following
reclamation.  Although the pasture areas will be planted with forage
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                                                                     LEGEND
FIGURE 3-9.  POST-RECLAMATION DRAINAGE PATTERN
             THROUGH SAND-CLAY MIX AREAS ON THE
             FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC. MINE SITE.
t/CM


HUM
SOURCE: FARMLAND INDUSTRIES. INC.. DRI SUPPLEMENT, AUGUST 1979
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 crops, it is expected  that  the runoff  from  these  areas will  have higher
 levels of suspended particulates and other  parameters than at present.
 The application of other materials  (e.g., fertilizer) to  these  lands
 would also result in increases in the  concentrations of  these materials
 in runoff reaching streams  leaving  the site.  If  the pasture areas
 support larger numbers of livestock than are currently present, levels
 of additional parameters  (e.g., coliforms)  could  also be  raised.

 Conventional Reclamation.   Reclamation as conventionally  practiced in
 the Florida phosphate industry would result in  the  creation  of  about
 2500 acres of plateau-like  terrain  (clay impoundments) at an elevation
 of 35 ft above natural grade.  Reestablishment  of surface water flows
 from these areas would not  be as easily achieved  as would be the case
 for Farmland's proposed action.  During the years that the dikes for
 such impoundments were standing, rainfall would be  entrapped with the
 dewatering clays—virtually eliminating surface flows from these areas.

     More extensive lake areas would also be likely using conventional
 reclamation methods.  These lake areas would further reduce  surface
 flows through retention and evaporation.

     Conventional reclamation would produce a land  surface which, to a
 large extent, would be limited to use  as pasture.  Although  some dif-
 ferences may occur, surface water quality impacts would likely be
 similar to those described  for Farmland's proposed reclamation plan.

Natural Mine Cut Reclamation.  Natural mine cut reclamation  would
produce an uneven land surface with drainage from the site hampered by
numerous windrows and impounded water  areas.

     Natural mine cut reclamation would produce a land surface not
 suitable for use as agricultural land, therefore the potential surface
water quality impacts resulting from such use would not occur.  The
steep slopes of the windrows would  tend to  erode, creating high sus-
pended sediment levels in the impounded water areas; however, as natural
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revegetation progressed, these levels would diminish.  Over time,
surface water quality would probably improve to at least existing
levels.

3.6  AQUATIC ECOLOGY

3.6.1  THE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

     The aquatic ecosystems in the vicinity of the proposed Farmland
mine include the Peace River, located along the eastern property bound-
ary, and Troublesome, Hickory, and Oak Creeks, all of which drain
portions of the site and eventually empty into the Peace River.  All of
these systems are greatly affected by the amount of rainfall received.
Heaviest rainfall occurs in June-September, with November-December being
the driest period.

     Oak and Hickory Creeks, which will be directly affected by the
proposed action, are intermittent-flowing during the wet season and
pooled or dry in the upper reaches during much of the rest of the year.
The resulting range of flows produces a stressed environment in terms of
water quantity and quality, bottom type, detrital loading, and limited
movement of stream organisms.

3.6.1.2  Aquatic Biota
     The aquatic biota of the site are composed primarily of species
which can colonize upstream areas quickly or can withstand the stresses
imposed by intermittent streamflow.  The intermittent nature of Oak and
Hickory Creeks limits movement of fish and mobile invertebrates to those
periods when water is flowing or at least present in the streambed.  The
various groups which comprise the site's aquatic biota are described
below.

3.6.1.2.1  Benthos
     Three major groups of benthic invertebrates dominated collections
made on the Farmland site.  These were the oligochaetes (i.e., aquatic
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earthworms), dipterans  (i.e., flies, midges, and mosquitoes), and
molluscs  (i.e., snails  and mussels).

     Oligochaetes were  abundant or common in all streams,  typically
constituting over 25 percent of the benthic organisms  collected and  at
several stations accounting for over 50 percent.  Certain  oligochaetes
are often associated with polluted water, but in this  case their abun-
dance appears to reflect a substrate rich in organic matter and water
that is occasionally low in dissolved oxygen.

     Over 100 dipteran  taxa were collected on the site, making this
order of aquatic insects the best represented major group.  Chironomid
(midge) larvae were found at practically all stations.  They were able
to withstand harsh -conditions and were frequently found together with
oligochaetes in mucky bottoms.  Twenty-eight mollusc taxa  were also
collected on the site.

3.6.1.2.2  Fish
     A total of 33 fish species were collected on or adjacent to the
Farmland property from June 1977 to May 1979.  Mosquitofish and least
killifish comprised over 80 percent of the fish collected  and were
ubiquitous in the aquatic habitat.  These two species  are  tolerant of
the fluctuating and stressful conditions of their habitat  and small
enough (less than 2 inches) to move about in shallow water.  Several
commercial and game fish species were also collected (e.g., white
catfish, brown bullhead, bluegill, largemouth bass, spotted sunfish, and
redear sunfish).

Endangered and Threatened Species.  In May 1980, EPA Provided the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service (U.S. F&WS) Jacksonville, Florida office with
a description of the proposed Farmland project and requested a list of
endangered and threatened species which might occur in the project's
area of influence.  U.S. F&WS responded to the EPA's request with a
listing of species believed to be present in the area  (U.S. F&WS 1980).
No fish were among the species listed.
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     The Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission (1979) and Florida
Committee on Rare and Endangered Plants and Animals (Gilbert 1978) also
list species considered to be endangered, threatened, or rare in Flor-
ida.  None of the fish species listed by these organizations were found
during sampling efforts in streams on the Farmland property or in the
Peace River adjacent to the property.

3.6.2  ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES OF THE ALTERNATIVES

3.6.2.1  The No Action Alternative
     Under the no action alternative the aquatic environment with its
alternating hydroperiod and tolerant organisms is expected to remain
essentially as described in Section 3.6.1; however, succession of
marshes into bayheads, etc., will modify some aquatic habitats in time.
Also, any long-term change in rainfall patterns could affect aquifer
levels and result in a shift in the existing plant and animal communities.

3.6.2.2  The Action Alternatives, Including The Proposed Action
3.6.2.2.1  Mining
Dragline Mining (Farmland's Proposed Action).  The potential effects of
Farmland's proposed mine on the site's aquatic ecosystem are discussed
in this section.  The effects of three impact-producing actions—destruction
of aquatic habitat, alterations of stream flow, and increased turbidity—
are described.

                     Destruction of Aquatic Habitats
     Over 1 mile of Hickory Creek streambed will be destroyed due to
mining during years 12-14.  As a result, all animals that were not able
to escape, all aquatic plants, and the physical features constituting
the aquatic habitat will be destroyed.  Aquatic habitat will be replaced
in this area, for reclamation plans call for the restoration of existing
flows following mining (see 3.6.2.2.7 Reclamation).  Flow is scheduled
to be returned to the area 4 years after mining is complete.
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     Oak Creek will be only minimally affected through  the destruction
of aquatic habitat since only short sections of the  creek will be mined
in years 4 and 10, and diversion channels will return water  to Oak  Creek
immediately downstream of the mining activity, thus  assuring normal
stream flow into Oak Creek Islands.  The portion of  the creek mined in
year 4 is scheduled to be reclaimed by year 10; the  area mined in year
10 is scheduled to be reclaimed by year 15.  As for  Hickory  Creek,
aquatic habitat will be replaced in the Oak Creek drainage system
through reclamation (see 3.6.2.2.7 Reclamation).

     Dragline crossings of the preserved section of  Oak Creek are
scheduled to be made during the dry season at only one  location.
Therefore, little additional aquatic habitat will be lost, and only
minor downstream turbidity should result.

                        Alteration of Stream Flow
     Stream flow reductions resulting from mining (see  section 3.6.1)
may result in the loss of fish and invertebrates that become concen-
trated in the remaining pools and wet streambed.  In addition, the
macrophyte abundance could be reduced, resulting in  a loss of habitat
for fish and invertebrates.  The severity of the effect of flow reduc-
tions depends on the season in which they occur.  Hickory Creek, which
will be most affected by flow reduction, is already  an  intermittent
stream.  The plants and animals of such systems are  very adaptable  to
naturally changing water levels (Berra and Gunning 1970; Grossman,  et
al. 1974; Larimore, et al. 1959).  If flow reductions occur  during  a
time of no stream flow, the fish will have moved downstream  or into the
remaining pools.  The insect larvae may have increasingly become part of
the drift as the flow slows (Minchall and Winger 1968);  oligochaetes and
molluscs will attempt to penetrate into the moist bottom but will be
lost from the area that is mined.  However, if stream flow is dras-
tically reduced at a time of high flow, the fish and invertebrates  will
not have an opportunity to move out of the area and  may become stranded,
as was observed by Kroger (1973).  Because of the natural resiliency of
the local fish, macroinvertebrates and macrophytes,  effects  of the
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stream flow reduction on these organisms are judged to be  temporary and
minimal—lasting from 1 year in Oak Creek to 4 years in Hickory Creek.

                           Increased Turbidity
     A potential for turbid runoff reaching aquatic habitats will exist
during land clearing and operation of the mine.  The ecological effects
of high levels of suspended solids or turbidity on aquatic organisms are
described by Cairns, et al. (1972) as:  (1) clogging or irritation of
gills; (2) blanketing or sedimentation; (3) loss of light  penetration;
(4) adsorption and/or absorption of various chemicals; and (5) avail-
ability as a surface for growth of microorganisms.  But turbidity does
not persist for long distances downstream, nor does it remain in the
water at the discharge (Burns 1972; Barton 1977).  Further, fish can
either avoid high turbidity levels or can withstand them for short
periods (Ritchie 1972).  Although some increases in turbidity are
expected, impacts on aquatic organisms due to the discharge of turbid
water are judged to be temporary, and the probability of the release of
any highly turbid water is small.  However, some discharge of moderately
turbid water is not unexpected.

Dredge Mining.  The impacts associated with the destruction of aquatic
habitat described above for dragline mining would also be  expected with
dredge mining.  The use of dredge mining would, however, reduce the flow
reduction impacts resulting from dewatering.  Dredge mining would
require that water levels be maintained in the active mining area; thus
the surrounding Surficial Aquifer and its contributions to the base flow
of adjacent creeks would be maintained.  However, there would be an
increased possibility for the release of turbid water into surface
waters because of the greater amount of such water that would have to be
handled and stored.

Bucketwheel Mining.  Bucketwheel mining would result in impacts on
aquatic ecology similar to those described for dragline mining.
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. 3.6,2.2.2  Matrix Transport
 Slurry Matrix Pumping (Farmland's Proposed Action).  The proposed slurry
 matrix transport system presents the potential for pipeline leaks or
 breaks which could cause increased turbidities and resultant adverse
 impacts on aquatic biota in downstream segments of Oak or Hickory Creek.
 However, if double-walled pipes and other safety features are used where
 the matrix pipelines cross the creeks (as Farmland proposes) the poten-
 tial will be minimized.

 Conveyor Matrix Transport.  The use of conveyors for the matrix trans-
 port would reduce the potential for matrix-cuased turbidities sedi-
 mentation in creeks along the transport routes and thus the potential
 for adverse impacts on aquatic biota.  This assumes, however, that such
 a conveyor would be covered (at least in the area of a stream crossing)
 and designed to prevent  spillage.   Matrix which spilled from the con-
 veyor into a stream would result in impacts comparable to those which
 would occur if a pipeline leak occurred near a stream.  Spillage from a
 conveyor on upland areas would be less likely to reach a stream than if
 a matrix pipeline break  occurred at the same location.

 Truck Matrix Transport.   The use of trucks for matrix transport would
 offer potential advantages similar to those described for conveyor
 matrix transport.   The potential for spillage of matrix into surface
 waters (and thus aquatic habitats) would probably be the least of all
 the matrix transport alternatives  considered.   The movement of heavy
 trucks along haul roads  could,  however,  result in increased turbidities
 in creeks—especially during periods of  heavy rainfall when runoff would
 be high.

 3.6.2.2.3  Matrix Processing
 Conventional Matrix Processing (Farmland's Proposed Action).  Conven-
 tional matrix processing requires  that large volumes of groundwater be
 used in the separation of the matrix from the waste sand and clay.  This
 water is normally recycled,  so that a discharge to surface waters is not
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required.   However,  should the recirculating water system become over-
loaded because of heavy rainfall, a discharge to surface waters would be
required—resulting  in increases in pollutant levels in Hickory Creek
(the primary discharge point).  Since such discharges would occur during
periods of high rainfall (and high flow),  the impact on aquatic biota
should be minimal.

Dry Matrix Processing.  Dry matrix processing would eliminate the need
for the large quantities of water required for conventional matrix
processing.  This could result in the elimination of the need to dis-
charge to surface waters and thus eliminate impacts on aquatic biota.

3.6.2.2.4  Waste Sand and Clay Disposal
Sand-Clay Mixing  (Farmland's Proposed Action).  Farmland proposes to
dispose of most of the waste sand and clay through the sand-clay mix
technique.  Separate sand and clay disposal areas will also be required,
with waste clays to  be impounded in diked areas covering 1078 acres
during most of the life of the mine.  These large areas will contain
clays at various densities, ranging from about 17 percent solids to less
than 3 percent solids.  Should a dike failure occur in an impoundment
dike, this material could flow into natural stream courses and produce
tremendous impacts on aquatic biota.  A worst-case analysis of the
result of a dike failure in one of Farmland's proposed impoundments is
presented in Section 3.5.2.2.4.

     A study of the effects of such a break revealed that 90 percent of
the fish and most of the macroinvertebrates  (except for oligochaetes and
chironomid larvae) in the affected waters were killed by mechanical
suffocation  (Ware 1969; Chapman 1973).  However, recovery of stream
faunal populations was judged to be rapid by both investigators.

Conventional Sand and Clay Disposal.  Conventional sand and clay dis-
posal would result in the creation of about  2500 acres of separately
impounded clays during the life of the mine  (compared to 1078 with
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Farmland's proposed technique).  This would result in the creation of
additional retention dikes and thus increase the probability of a dike
failure which would have tremendous impacts on aquatic biota.  The large
clay settling areas used in conventional clay disposal would consume
water via adsorption and evaporation thus reducing the need to discharge
excess water to surface waters.  Conventional clay disposal might also
result in a reclamation plan that would create more acres of lakes on
the site, thus increasing the amount of aquatic habitat over that which
will result from the proposed action.

3.6.2.2.5  Process Water Sources
Groundwater Withdrawal (Farmland's Proposed Action).  The major source
of water for the proposed mine will be from onsite deep wells.  The
production wells will be drilled to an approximate depth of 1400 ft and
cased to about 250 ft.  Since the drawdown resulting from pumping must
meet the requirements of the SWFWMD, the operation of these wells
should have little impact on the surrounding aquatic habitats.

Surface Water Impoundment.  The creation of surface water impoundments
for the storage of runoff from the site for use as process water would
provide more than 1000 acres of lacustrine habitat.  However, the
intermittent creek ecosystems within areas of Oak Creek Island to be
preserved under the proposed action would be cleared for reservoir
construction.  Also, downstream sections of Hickory and Oak Creeks would
no longer receive normal flood flows resulting in a shift in species
composition from those plants and animals tolerant of flooding and
dessication to those needing more stable conditions.

3.6.2.2.6  Water Management Plan
Discharge to Surface Waters.  Under Farmland's proposed water management
plan, no discharge of effluent is anticipated under normal rainfall
conditions until the catchment area increases to over 2500 acres.
However, under extreme rainfall conditions a discharge could be required
prior to that time.  In this event, excess water will be discharged into
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Hickory Creek from the clear water pool,  but only after flowing through
the clay settling area.   Beneficiation plant effluent, including re-
agents used in the flotation treatment, will be mixed with waste clays
as these are slurried.  The reagents should adsorb onto the clay par-
ticles and settle in the disposal areas,  leaving only trace amounts in
the water.  Some of the constituents of the effluent  (when discharged)
can be approximated from discharges of existing phosphate mines.  Mean
values (±1 S.D.) are:  total suspended solids - 12.4 ± 9.8 mg/1; total
phosphorus - 1.3 ± 0.5 mg/1; fluoride - 2.2 ± 0.7 mg/1.  Domestic sewage
from the mine will be treated to remove 90 percent of the BOD,, and
solids before entering the water system.

     The effects of effluent discharge from the sand-clay mix areas on
the aquatic biota are judged to be minimal for several reasons.  Primary
among them is the fact that there normally will be no effluent dis-
charge.  When effluent is discharged at times of rainfall in excess of
the system's surge capacity, the receiving stream will be flowing
rapidly, thus diluting the effluent.  Two of the three effluent para-
meters described are within values measured in local  surface waters.
The third parameter, fluoride, fits most of the criteria for a poten-
tially important pollutant  (Groth 1975), but the concentrations released
will be only slightly higher than those in the receiving water.

Connector Wells.  The use of connector wells to dispose of Surficial
Aquifer water from mine pit dewatering would decrease the net property
discharge to surface waters by the amount which the connector wells
could drain from the advancing mining area.  While this would reduce  the
volume of water discharged  from the property, the concentration of
contaminants in any discharge would not likely be lowered.

3.6.2.2.7  Reclamation
Farmland's Proposed Reclamation Plan.  Farmland's proposed reclamation
plan is designed to restore surface flows  (and thus aquatic habitats) to
areas as soon as practicable after mining  is complete.  Hickory Creek
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will be mined during years 12-14, while Oak Creek will be mined in years
4 and 10.

     Farmland indicates that flow will be returned  to the current
Hickory Creek channel area in year 16, 4 years after mining within the
area begins.  A lake system will be created through which Hickory Creek
will be rerouted, as shown in Figure 2-38 (page 2-83).  The upper
portion of this 140-acre area will consist of a series of finger lakes
forming a meandering channel for the creek.  The lower portion of the
lake system will consist of an open lake about 600  ft wide and 3000 ft
long.

     Flow will be returned to Oak Creek following the completion of
reclamation in Special Mix Area 2 in year 15.  The  flow through this
area will be through a series of meandors created by the spoils piles.
This arrangement will provide maximum area in the restructured flood-
plain for providing the water retention and nutrient assimilation
functions characteristic of such areas.

     A land and lake area with extensive littoral zones will be created
as a result of mining during the last years of operation (Figure 2-41).
Mining depths and the groundwater table in the area are such that the
maximum water depth in these lakes should be about  15 ft.  Of the 368
acres included in this area, approximately 50 percent of the total
surface area will be covered by water and 50 percent by land.

     As the aquatic habitats described above are created, recolonization
by aquatic biota will begin to occur.  Periphytqn will likely be the
first to recoIonize, followed by insect larvae, macrophytes, fish
(especially Gambusia affinis and Heterandria formusa) and molluscs
(Grossman, et al. 1974).  Some studies (e.g., Larimore, et al. 1967;
Gunning and Berra 1969; Berra and Gunning 1970) suggest that such
recolonization may proceed rapidly, but the actual  rate which will occur
cannot be stated.
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Conventional Reclamation.  The aquatic habitats created by conventional
reclamation (i.e., reclamation of separate sand and clay disposal areas
and mined land) would consist largely of lake areas scattered throughout
those areas of the site not covered with impounded clays.  Assuming that
one half of these areas on the Farmland site were reclaimed as lakes,
their combined acreage would be about 1000 acres.  This would provide
nearly four times the lacustrine habitat that will be created by Farm-
land' s proposed reclamation plan.  However, conventional reclamation
would not result in the creation of meandering channels and marsh areas
that are part of Farmland's proposed plan, for most of the site (about
2500 acres) would be covered with settled clay to an elevation of about
35 ft above existing grade.

Natural Mine Cut Reclamation.  With natural mine cut reclamation, mined
out areas of the site would be left ungraded.  The resultant topography
would be very uneven, comprised of overburden windrows and furrows.
Water accumulating in these furrows would form many interconnected
channels and pools, creating a diverse shallow-water aquatic habitat.
The depth of these water areas would be dependent upon the type of waste
disposal technique used during the operation of the mine.  If sand-clay
mix were placed into the furrows (as Farmland proposes to do) the depth
would be less than if sand and clay had been disposed of by conventional
methods (i.e., separately).  In either case, filling of these habitats
would occur over time because of sedimentation and plant succession.
The result would be a change from open water habitat to marsh and swamp
habitat.
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3.7  TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGY

3.7.1  THE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

3.7.1.1  Vegetation Types
     The terrestrial ecosystem of the proposed Farmland mine site is
comprised of nine vegetation types*  (Figure 3-10).  The acreage occupied
by each type is as follows:
                                                      % of
     Type                              Acreage        Total
     Pasture                             2416           26
     Citrus Groves                       1917           25
     Early Successional                   153            2
     Pine Flatwoods-Palmetto Range        937           12
     Coniferous Upland Forest              62            1
     Hardwood Upland Forest               417            5
     Mixed Upland Forest                  311            4
     Freshwater Swamp                    1205           15
     Freshwater Marsh                     392            5
                              Total      7810

     Nearly 55 percent (4333 acres) of the site has been drained and/or
cleared for development of improved pasture or citrus groves.  The
citrus groves have been established on the highest and driest portions
of the site.  Most of the property that has been converted into improved
pasture was originally occupied by pine flatwoods.  Most of the re-
maining pine flatwoods and other upland forest types on the site are
also heavily grazed by cattle.  The least disturbed natural vegetation
associations on the site are primarily confined to wetlands and to
floodplain areas bordering the major stream courses.

3.7.1.2  Principal Wildlife Habitats
     Four principal wildlife habitats are currently found on the site.
These habitats have been classified as ruderal, forest, wooded swamp,
and freshwater marsh.
*Using the State of Florida (1976) criteria of the Florida Land Use and
 Cover Classification System (FLUCCS).
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                                         VEGETATION TYPE

                                         URBAN OR BUILT-UP

                                         PASTURE

                                         CITRUS GROVES
                                         PINE FLATWOODS-PALMETTO RANGE

                                         OTHER CONIFEROUS UPLAND FOREST
f-

ES«62)
VEGETATION TYPE

OTHER HARDWOOD UPLAND FOREST

MDCED UPLAND FOREST

FRESHWATER SWAMP

FRESHWATER MARSH

EARLY SUCCESSION AL (OTHER AGRICULTURAL)
                                                                                            2,000   4,000
FIGURE  3-10.  VEGETATION TYPES  ON THE  FARMLAND
                 INDUSTRIES,  INC.  MINE  SITE.

SOURCE: FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC., HARDEE COUNTY MASTER PLAN, JUNE 1979
                    SCALE IN FEET
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3.7.1.2.1  Ruderal Habitat
     Approximately 69 percent  (5423 acres) of  the site  is  occupied by
this habitat type.  The FLUCCS types included  in this classification are
citrus groves, improved pasture, pine flatwoods/palmetto range, and
early successional stages.  This habitat is created as  the result of
continual modification of the natural plant communities for agricultural
purposes; thus, this habitat has the least value to wildlife of the four
principal habitats on the site.  Species typically occurring in this
habitat included the mourning dove, cattle egret, Florida  sandhill
crane, common crow, loggerhead shrike, Virginia opossum, raccoon, nine-
banded armadillo, white-tailed deer, wild hog, eastern  cottontail, and
fox squirrel.  Wildlife species were most frequently observed in por-
tions of this habitat in close proximity to the other less disturbed
habitat types.

3.7.1.2.2  Forest Habitat
     Forest habitat covers approximately 10 percent (790 acres) of the
site.  Hammocks and forested floodplains comprise this habitat.  About
82 percent of the area classified as forest habitat support a hardwood
forest,  with the remaining 18 percent supporting a mixed hardwood/
coniferous or pure coniferous forest.  This habitat is used to some
extent by the majority of wildlife species occurring on the site.  The
forest habitat provides essential escape cover and travel  corridors for
species foraging in the more open ruderal habitat, and also provides
nesting cover for many of the resident bird species.  Species typically
occurring in this habitat included the yellow-billed cuckoo, pileated
woodpecker,  red-bellied woodpecker, downy woodpecker, blue jay, tufted
titmouse, Carolina wren, white-eyed vireo, gray squirrel, nine-banded
armadillo,  and white-tailed deer.  The forests on the Peace River
floodplain,  on Oak Creek Islands, and along Brushy Creek provide the
best forest habitat for wildlife on the site.

3.7.1.2.3  Wooded Swamps Habitat
     This habitat is comprised of the bayheads and hardwood swamps which
are scattered throughout the site region and occupy about  15 percent
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(1205 acres) of the site.  These scattered swamps and bayheads are often
surrounded by extensive pasture or rangeland, thus providing essential
cover for wildlife foraging in the pastures and rangeland.  Species
frequently observed in this habitat included the white-tailed deer,
raccoon, wild hog, pileated woodpecker, and blue jay.  Trapping of the
bayheads and hardwood swamps indicated that these areas supported a
higher density of small mammals in comparison to the other habitats on
the site.  The apparent higher population density of small mammals may
be attributable to a lower level of livestock grazing in  this habitat as
compared to the intensity of grazing in the other habitats in which
trapping was undertaken.

3.7.1.2.4  Freshwater Marsh Habitat
     Marshes occupy about 5 percent (392 acres) of the site.  While
drainage, fire prevention, and other agricultural activities have
probably had an effect on the ecology of the marshes on the site,  these
areas still provide nesting and/or roosting cover for a variety of bird
species and breeding and/or feeding habitat for a variety of reptiles
and amphibians, and are also used by a variety of mammalian species.

3.7.1.3  Game and Commercial Furbearing Species
     The site provides habitat for a variety of game and  commercial
furbearing species.  The most abundant species are generally those whose
habitat is formed by early successional stage plant  communities and
forest  communities.  Field surveys indicate  that the commonly occurring
game and commercial furbearing species on  the site are the eastern
cottontail, Virginia opossum, bobcat, raccoon, gray  squirrel, wild hog,
white-tailed deer, bobwhite, mourning dove,  and wood duck.  Other  less
commonly occurring species include the marsh rabbit, Sherman's fox
squirrel, red fox, gray fox, striped skunk,  river otter,  king rail, wild
turkey, and mottled duck.

3.7.1.4  Threatened and Endangered Species  - Federal
     In May 1980, EPA provided the U.S. F&WS Jacksonville, Florida
office  with a description of the  Farmland  project and  requested a  list
                                   3-105

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of endangered and threatened species which might occur in  the project's
area of influence.  U.S. F&WS responded to the EPA request with  the
following listing of species believed to be present in the area  (U.S.
F&WS 1980):
                         Bald eagle - Endangered
            Red-cockaded woodpecker - Endangered
                 American alligator - Threatened
               Eastern indigo snake - Threatened
            Arctic peregrine falcon - Endangered
     The occurrence of several of these species in the area was docu-
mented during field studies for the Farmland project.  The observations
were as follows:
     Species
     American alligator

     Eastern indigo snake
     Southern bald eagle
Habitat/Location         Status
Peace River and          Threatened
Hickory Creek
Two (2) sightings in     Threatened
mesic woodlands on the
site; one (1) road-
killed adjacent to
citrus grove on the site.
One (1) sighting over    Endangered
a freshwater marsh on
the site and one (1)
sighting near the
Peace River.
     All but the bald eagle are believed to be resident on the Farmland
site.  Figure 3-11 shows the locations of sightings of endangered and
threatened species on the Farmland property.  A summary discussion of
each of these species' habitat requirements and the status of their
populations in the site region is presented in the following paragraphs.

3.7.1.4.1  Bald Eagle
     The bald eagle is usually found in riparian habitats, associated
with coasts, rivers, and lakes.  The species usually nests near large
bodies of water, although in interior Florida it will occasionally nest
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                                                          AREAS Oh (.F
                                                         WADIM, BIRD CONCENTRATIONS

                                                         FLORIDA SANDHILL CRANE

                                                    I * 1 1 CIPHER TORTOISE

                                                    S. \\1 AMERICAN ALLIGATOR
    INPIV1DLAL SICIMTIM.S

FS SHERMAN'S MIX SOI 'IRREL

BE SOI THERN BALD EACLE

WS WOOD STORK

§Q I LQRIDA SANDHILL CRANt

A A AMERICAN ALLIGATOR
FIGURE   3-11.  LOCATIONS  OF  RARE AND ENDANGERED FAUNA SIGHTINGS
                ON  THE FARMLAND INDUSTRIES,  INC. MINE SITE.
    (.OPIIER TORTOISK

1C  I-ASTFRN INDK.OSSAKH



0     2,000   4,000
SOURCE: FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC., DRI, JUNE 1979
        (MODIFIED  BY WOODWARD-CLYDE CONSULTANTS)
                                                                                SCALE IN FEET
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on marshes and ponds far from expanses of open water.  The bald eagle
occurs on the site as a transient and such occurrences are expected  to
be infrequent.  The Florida bald eagle population has declined at least
50 percent in the last 30 years (Palmer 1979), and Layne, et al. (1977)
estimated the total population for the western peninsular Florida region
to be between 169 and 176.  There are no known active bald eagle nest
sites in Hardee County (Palmer 1979).

3.7.1.4.2  Red-cockaded Woodpecker
     The red-cockaded woodpecker is resident in Hardee County.  The  red-
cockaded woodpecker is generally an inhabitant of open pine woods and
usually constructs its nesting cavity in mature pine trees.  Due to  past
harvesting of pine trees, there are few mature pine trees on the pro-
posed site.  No red-cockaded woodpeckers were observed during field
studies; and because of the absence of mature pines, it is highly
unlikely that the species would be resident on the site.

3.7.1.4.3  American Alligator
     The alligator is an inhabitant of river systems canals, lakes,
swamps,  bayous, and coastal marshes.  The alligator is a commonly
occurring species on the site and Layne, et al. (1977) reported the
species to be generally common throughout the western peninsular Florida
region.   Alligator populations have been increasing substantially from
the low levels reached in the late 1950s and early 1960s.  The U.S.  Fish
and Wildlife Service currently estimates the Florida population to be
slightly in excess of 400,000 (Palmer 1979).

3.7.1.4.4  Eastern Indigo Snake
     The indigo snake occupies a variety of habitats ranging from dry,
sandy pine-oak communities to moist tropical hammocks.  The species  is
most suited to mesic environments, and its common occurrence in sand-
hills and other xeric habitats is possible only where gopher tortoise
burrows and other subterranean cavities are available for shelter from
the heat (McDiarmid 1978).  In the Hardee County region it has been
recorded most often from live oak hammocks, old fields, pine flatwoods,
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and oak-pine sandhills (Layne,  et al. 1977).  Gopher tortoise burrows
and other subterranean cavities are commonly used as dens for egg laying
by the indigo snake, and the continuing decline of the gopher tortoise
is probably having an adverse effect on indigo snake populations.  The
indigo snake appears to be a commonly occurring species on the site.
Layne, et al. (1977) reported the species to be generally uncommon
throughout the western peninsular Florida region.  The indigo snake
population appears to be in a continuing decline because of habitat loss
and illegal collection by snake fanciers or merchants.

3.7.1.4.5  Arctic Peregrine Falcon
     The peregrine falcon only occurs in Florida as a wintering species.
Florida's coastal areas are the principal wintering areas for the
peregrine falcon.

3.7.1.5  Endangered and Threatened Species and Species of Special
         Concern - State
     Additional species observed on the site that have been classified
as endangered, threatened, or of special concern by the Florida Game and
Freshwater Fish Commission (1979) are listed below:

          Species                  Classification
          Wood stork               Endangered
          Florida sandhill crane   Threatened
          Gopher tortoise          Special Concern
          Florida burrowing owl    Special Concern
          Little blue heron        Special Concern
          Snowy egret              Special Concern
          Louisiana heron          Special Concern

Figure 3-11 shows the locations of sightings of  these species on  the
Farmland property.  A summary discussion of each of these species and
their habitat requirements is provided in the  following paragraphs.

3.7.1.5.1  Wood Stork
     The wood stork is a commonly occurring species on  the  site.  There
is an active wood stork nesting colony located in Hardee County  about  20
                                   3-109

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to 30 miles east of the site.  The wood stork forages in freshwater and
brackish wetlands and will travel as much as 60 miles to secure food for
its young.  Preferred feeding sites are freshwater marshes, flooded
pastures, and ditches.  The wood stork's survival is dependent upon vast
expanses of wetlands capable of producing local concentrations of fish
through established patterns of drying and flooding.  Wetland drainage
and manipulation of water levels are believed to be largely responsible
for the decline in the Florida wood stork population.

3.7.1.5.2  Florida Sandhill Crane
     The Florida sandhill crane is a commonly occurring species on the
site.  The species is locally common in areas of suitable habitat in the
western peninsular Florida region.  The Florida sandhill crane prefers
open habitats and is found primarily in wet and dry prairies, improved
cattle pastures, and shallow marshes or lakes with sparse emergent
vegetation surrounded by grasslands.

3.7.1.5.3  Gopher Tortoise
     The gopher tortoise is an uncommon species on the site.  The gopher
tortoise is an inhabitant of live oak hammocks, sand pine scrub, pine-
turkey oak, and various successional types of xeric ruderal habitats.
Its principal habitat requirements include dry, well-drained sandy soils
and.good herbaceous cover on which to feed.

3.7.1.5.4  Florida Burrowing Owl
     The Florida burrowing owl is rare on the site.  The burrowing owl
is a resident of grasslands and dry prairies or any well-drained sandy
ground with sparse growth.

3.7.1.5.5  Little Blue Heron, Snowy Egret, and Louisiana Heron
     The little blue heron, snowy egret, and Louisiana heron are all
species of wading birds that are found in a variety of coastal and
freshwater wetlands.  Only the little blue heron commonly occurs on the
site.
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3.7.2  ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES OF THE ALTERNATIVES

3.7.2.1  The No Action Alternative
     Under the no action alternative the terrestrial ecology of  the
Farmland site should continue to remain as described in  Section  3.7.1.
Most of the site would continue to be used for agricultural purposes.
Presently, almost 56 percent (4333 acres) of the site has been drained
and/or cleared for citrus groves, truck crops, or improved pasture.
Another 173 acres consists of old fields, ditches, roads, rights-of-way,
and artificial ponds.  The uncleared portions of the site consist of
about 4600 acres of pine flatwoods and other upland forest types and
about 3650 acres of marshes and forested wetland and floodplain  areas
bordering the major stream courses.  These uncleared areas are also used
for cattle grazing.  The U.S. Soil Conservation Service  recommends that
large ranches in Hardee County maintain two-thirds of their land in
native range in order to balance improved pasture acreage.  If these
recommendations were followed in managing the site property, no  addi-
tional clearing would be required.

3.7.2.2  The Action Alternatives, Including The Proposed Action
3.7.2.2.1  Mining
Dragline Mining (Farmland's Proposed Action).  Terrestrial biological
communities will be affected by the following activities associated with
dragline mining of phosphate at the Farmland site:

        • clearing and grubbing
        • excavation, mining, overburden deposition, and dewatering
        • development of roads,  railspurs, parking facilities, various
          settling ponds, and powerlines
        • human activity associated with construction and operation
          activities

     These activities will have direct physical impacts  on the site's
various biological communities.   These impacts will also result  in
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changes in the habitats present and, consequently, alter  the area's
wildlife populations.

                          Acreage Altered
     About 68 percent  (5280 acres) of the mine property will be dis-
turbed during the life of the mine.  The site acreages of each vege-
tation type which would be affected are as follows:
                                     Acres       Acres      Percent
     FLUCCS Type                   Disturbed  Undisturbed  Disturbed
     Pasture                          1960         456        81%
     Citrus                           1757         160        90%
     Early Successional                 95          58        62%
     Pine Flatwoods-Palmetto Range     583         354        62%
     Coniferous Upland Forest           15          47        24%
     Hardwood Upland Forest            230         187        55%
     Mixed Upland Forest                35         276        11%
     Freshwater Swamp                  320         885        27%
     Freshwater Marsh                  285         107        73%
     Total                            5280        2530        68%

     A corridor for dragline crossings will also be estabished in the
untnined segment of Oak Creek downstream of the Oak Creek Islands (Figure
2-15, page 2-23).  This will result in the removal of 10 acres of
vegetation and will disrupt the habitat continuity of this otherwise
undisturbed' area.

     The significance of the impact on the terrestrial ecosystem re-
sulting from the removal of the various vegetative communities depends
to a large extent on the overall portion of each community that will be
removed.  The freshwater swamp and marsh and upland forest communities
provide a diversity of wildlife habitats, and their loss will have a
more significant effect on terrestrial ecology of the area than will the
loss of the agricultural and range communities.  The species diversity
and productivity of each community affected, as well as its replace-
ability, are also important considerations in addressing the signif-
icance of the impact.  The significance of the impact may also vary
depending on whether it is considered from a regional or local perspective.
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     The regional significance of the anticipated impacts was -assessed
on the basis of the land use characteristics within Hardee County as
described in the report titled "Natural Resource Factors Comprehensive
Plan Hardee County, Florida" (Adley Associates, Inc. 1979).  All of the
communities that will be affected by the construction and operation of
the mine are common in the county.  The proposed development will result
in the eventual removal of 1757 acres (2.5 percent) of the 68,838 acres
of citrus groves or nurseries; 583 acres (0.4 percent) of the 145,195
acres of herbaceous (palmetto) range; 2055 acres (2.0 percent) of the
102,653 acres of the pasture/cropland; 280 acres (10.3 percent) of the
2714 acres of upland forestlands*; and 605 acres (0.8 percent) of the
78,200 acres of wetlands in Hardee County.  Much of the loss of these
plant communities will occur gradually over the life of the mine, so
that the overall impact will be mitigated by ongoing reclamation.
From a regional perspective, the construction and operation of the
facility will only remove a small percentage of the total amount of the
affected communities found in Hardee County.  This loss would become
more significant, however, if the cumulative losses of these communities
due to possible future mining and development in the county are considered.

     The loss of the natural vegetative communities (e.g., upland
forest, wetlands, pine flatwoods/palmetto range) will have a greater
impact on terrestrial ecology than will the loss of the agriculturally
managed lands (e.g., pasture, cropland, citrus groves).  The only long-
term loss of communities  (assuming that the reclamation plan is suc-
cessfully completed) will be the loss of about 30 percent of the site's
pine flatwoods/palmetto range and wetlands communities  (583 acres of
pine flatwoods/palmetto range and 207 acres of wetlands).  Reclamation
plans provide for the reestablishment of 339 acres of freshwater marsh
and 59 acres of freshwater swamp.  Because of the low relief topography,
attendant drainage patterns of wetlands and associated hydric soils of
wetlands are difficult to restore; therefore, the floristic composition
of the restored wetlands is likely to be less diverse and different from
the natural wetlands and, consequently, less valuable.

*Within Hardee County, upland forests and forested wetlands together
 total about 78,600 acres.

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     The pine flatwoods/palmetto range community has been subject to a
great deal of disturbance as the result of the harvesting of merchant-
able timber and grazing by livestock.  Consequently, the loss of 583
acres of this community is not significant—especially, when compared to
the 145,195 acres of palmetto in Hardee County.

                         Disruption of Wetlands
     Although the loss of 605 acres of wetlands appears small when
compared to the 78,200 acres of wetlands in Hardee County, the signif-
icance of this loss should be judged on the basis of their overall
functional importance.  From this perspective, the site wetlands were
classified following guidelines established by the EPA (1978; 1979).
Wetland areas on the property (see Figure 3-12) were classified as
either Category 1, 2, or 3 as follows:
          Category 1 Wetlands are those wetlands on the site which occur
          within the 25-year floodplain of the Peace River or its
          tributaries upstream to the point of 5 cfs mean annual flow,
          or wetlands considered to be significant wildlife habitat.
          Category 2 Wetlands are those wetlands which occur in the 25-
          year floodplain upstream of the point of 5 cfs and isolated
          wetlands in excess of 5 acres in size.
          Category 3 Wetlands are isolated wetlands 5 acres or less.
     Farmland's proposed mine plan will result in the loss and protec-
tion of the following acreages of each of the above wetland categories:
                             Acres    Acres     Percent
                              Lost  Protected  Protected
Category 1
Category 2
Category 3
0
514
91
710
264
18
100
34
16
              TOTALS          605      992         62
     Wetlands not directly disturbed by construction or mining activ-
ities may be indirectly affected by these activities.  Effects could
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LEGEND
symbol
            Category 1   Cateoory 2  Category 2  Category 3  Preserved
             Wetlands    Wetlands    Wetlands    Wetlands     Area
                                Disturbed    Undisturbed
FIGURE 3-12.  WETLAND  CATEGORIZA-ION;  FARMLAND
             INDUSTRIES,  INC.  MINE  SITE.


SOURCE: WOODWARD-CLYDE CONSULTANTS (1980)
                                      3-H5

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Include temporary lowering of water levels, increased  sedimentation,
changes in groundwater and surface water  flow, and  long-term  hydroperiod
alterations.

     The water table level in the vicinity of the open mine pits will be
temporarily lowered for a period of 1 to  2 years while the ore  is mined.
Wetlands adjacent to these areas are expected to be affected  by the
temporary lowering of the water table.  The magnitude  of  this impact
will depend upon the rainfall level experienced at  that time.   Experi-
ments conducted by the Central and Southern Flood Control District
(Milleson 1976; Goodrick and Milleson 1974; Davis 1978) have  shown that
drawdowns of 2 to 4 months can result in  substantial changes  in plant
biomass, species composition, and in the  proportion of perennial plants
in the marsh during the following season.  The long-term  effects,
however, are likely to be minor and reversible as the  vegetation con-
tinually adjusts to the prevailing hydroperiod.

     Swamps along the lower portion of Hickory Creek may  be affected by
the temporary diversion of Upper Hickory  Creek to Troublesome Creek for
mining and the eventual impoundment of water to form a land and lakes
system.  The diversion will last for 4 years while  the Upper  Hickory
Creek floodplain is mined and reclaimed with a lake system.   This will
deprive the hardwood overstory on the lower Hickory Creek floodplain of
its usual water supply.  In addition, the temporary dewatering  of the
Surficial Aquifer will further deprive the trees of their water supply.
During this period the water supply for the trees will depend upon
runoff collected in the creek channel.
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                       Impacts on Faunal Populations
     To understand the basis of anticipated impact on faunal populations
of construction and operation of the mine, it is useful to distinguish
between density independent effects and density dependent effects on the
environment.

     Factors that alter birth and death rates of a species population
regardless of population density are called density independent.  The
operation of the mine, which will ultimately disturb nearly 5300 acres,
will cause the death of smaller fauna (as well as the floral species)
within the areas to be disturbed.  Because these species populations are
reduced regardless of their densities, this action is an example of a
density independent effect.

     A density dependent effect alters the birth rate or death rate as a
function of the density of the population.  Competition among members of
the same population, or competition between one species population and
members of other species are examples of density dependent effects.
Density dependent factors change in effectiveness as the population size
grows.  For those species likely to disperse from the site into sur-
rounding undisturbed areas when clearing and grubbing commences (pri-
marily larger fauna such as deer, feral hog, and bobcat), density
dependent effects to both the displaced populations and those now
occupying similar adjacent habitats  (i.e., within the area immediately
around the site) can be expected.  The particular density dependent
factor or combination of factors involved will vary, depending on which
species population is affected.  In one species, it may be mortality
from predators; in another, shortage of food in certain seasons of the
year.  In some cases, movement of individuals to offsite areas may be
largely successful if population levels in the offsite area are below
carrying capacity.  In general terms, carrying capacity is the limit to
population growth of a particular species, imposed by environmental
resistance under a given set of conditions  (Boughey 1968).
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     Onsite, the impact of mine operation on local populations of
certain species will be significant.  Overall, the elimination of less
mobile species (density independent effects) and the losses to species
populations that move out of the site areas initially  (density dependent
effects) will represent an incremental loss.  However, this loss alone
will not be significant to terrestrial faunal populations in the region
(i.e., areas within several miles of the site).

     Fauna inhabiting the areas to be mined will be displaced or elim-
inated when these areas are cleared and grubbed.  Mobile faunal species
(e.g., most bird species, larger mammal species) are likely to move to
undisturbed areas when clearing activities begin.  More sedentary
species (e.g., many reptile and amphibian species, smaller mammal
species) will probably be eliminated because of an inability to suc-
cessfully move from the disturbed areas.  Fauna are expected to repopu-
late disturbed areas following reclamation.  The species repopulating
the reclaimed areas will depend largely on the type of habitat created.

     Faunal species with the most restricted habitat requirements are
those species that primarily inhabit wetlands (e.g., alligators, wading
birds, marsh rabbit).  Many of the species inhabiting  the site's upland
areas normally occur in all of the principal habitats  on the site (e.g.,
white-tailed deer, feral hog, bobcat, raccoon, crow).  In general, the
loss of habitats resulting from the operation of the mine is expected to
cause a decline in the onsite populations of most resident species.  The
regional effect of this loss is not expected to be significant because
all of the affected habitats are common in the site region and only a
small amount of the total available habitat will be lost (e.g., 10.3
percent of forestland and 0.8 percent of wetlands within Hardee County).

     Of the 5280 acres that will be disrupted, 4395 acres (83 percent)
are ruderal habitat.  The loss of this ruderal habitat will not affect
most species populations as severely as the loss of less disturbed
habitats.  The ruderal habitat results from the frequent disturbance and
manipulation of vegetation (e.g., range management, pasture, citrus
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groves, cropland)  primarily for agricultural purposes.  As a consequence
of this management,  these areas generally do not support as diverse a
fauna as is found  in less disturbed habitats.  Although the ruderal
communities are an important habitat component for some of the site's
faunal species such as the sandhill crane, cattle egret, and numerous
invertebrates (e.g., herbivorous insects), the majority of the site's
species basic habitat requirements are provided by the less disturbed
natural plant communities.

     Loss of the less disturbed upland forest (280 acres) and wetland
(605 acres) habitats will affect a variety of fauna.  The bayheads,
hardwood swamps, and upland woodlands provide essential cover for many
of the faunal species inhabiting the site.  Approximately 38 percent of
the site's wetlands and 35 percent of its upland forest will eventually
be removed.  Loss of these habitats should result in  greater competition
in similar adjacent undisturbed habitats and a resultant loss of indi-
viduals because of reduced nesting success, food availability, and/or
cover.

               Effects on Endangered or Threatened Species
     Endangered or threatened species listed by the U.S. F&WS  (1980) for
the Farmland site area are as follows:
          Species                  Classification
          Bald eagle               Endangered
          Red-cockaded woodpecker  Endangered
          American alligator       Threatened
          Eastern indigo snake     Threatened
          Arctic peregrine  falcon  Endangered
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     Additional species listed as endangered or threatened or as species
of special concern by the Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission
(1979) are as follows:

          Species                  Classification
          Wood stork               Endangered
          Florida sandhill crane   Threatened
          Gopher tortoise          Special Concern
          Florida burrowing owl    Special Concern
          Little blue heron        Special Concern
          Snowy egret              Special Concern
          Louisiana heron          Special Concern

The effects of the proposed plan on the above species are discussed in  '
the following paragraphs.

     There are no known active bald eagle nests in Hardee County and the
species occurs on the site only as a transient.  Its occurrence on the
site has been infrequent, and its occurrences are expected to continue
to be infrequent in the future.  Consequently, operation of the proposed
mine is not expected to have any noticeable effect on the bald eagle.

     The red-cockaded woodpecker has not been observed on the site and,
consequently should not be adversely affected by the project.

     The American alligator is common on the site.  The proposed project
will affect about 27 percent (320 acres) of the freshwater swamp habitat
on the site and result in the dislocation of some alligators and possi-
bly a decline in the overall alligator population on the site.  The
alligator is an adaptable species, and disturbed individuals are ex-
pected to readily move into adjacent undisturbed swamp habitat.  The
reclamation plan provides for the creation of 235 acres of lakes.  This
lake system should compensate for the loss of alligator habitat provided
by the freshwater swamps, and no long-term adverse effect on the alli-
gator population in the site area is anticipated.
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     The eastern indigo snake appears  to be  a  commonly  occurring  species
on  the site.  The mining of the pine flatwoods/palmetto range  and upland
forest communities will eliminate some oak hammock  and  dry  flatwood
habitats and will thus reduce the onsite habitat  available  to  the indigo
snake.  About 62 percent (583 acres) of the  pine  flatwoods/palmetto
range and 35 percent  (280 acres) of the upland  forest communities on the
site will be removed over the life of  the mine.   The habitats  created as
the result of restoration and reclamation programs  are  generally  not
suitable for the indigo snake (Layne, et al. 1977).  Consequently, the
long-term effect of the proposed project on  the indigo  snake will be a
reduction in available upland habitat which  may further reduce  the
species'  population in the site region.

     In the site area, the peregrine falcon  can be  expected to  occur
primarily as a migrant and,  consequently should not be  affected by the
proposed project.

     The mining operations will cause the eventual disturbance  of about
73 percent (285 acres) of the freshwater marsh on the site, the habitat
of the wood stork.   However,  since no nesting colonies  are located in
the immediate site vicinity,  the loss of habitat should have little
effect on the wood stork population.

     The  Florida sandhill crane is basically sedentary  and is highly
territorial during the breeding season, consequently, destruction of
shallow marshes and ponds associated with the mining operations may  be
detrimental to the resident  crane population.

     Most of the habitat of  the gopher tortoise on the  site has been
converted to citrus groves.   Consequently,  the mining operations  are not
expected  to have a significant effect on the gopher tortoise population
of the  region.
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     The mining operation should have little effect on  the burrowing owl
population in the area because of the large amount of potential habitat
which exists for this species in the site area in the form of improved
pasture.

     The loss of freshwater marshes as a result of the  mining of the
site will reduce the habitat of the little blue heron,  snowy egret, and
Louisiana heron.  However, because no nesting colonies  are located in
the areas affected, there should be no significant effect on the popu-
lations of these wading birds in the region.

Dredge Mining.  The impacts associated with the destruction of terres-
trial habitat described above for dragline mining would also be expected
with dredge mining.  The use of dredge mining would, however, reduce the
indirect effects on wetland habitats that will occur as a result of
dewatering of the Surficial Aquifer into open mine pits.  Because dredge
mining would require that water levels be maintained in the active
mining area, the surrounding Surficial Aquifer and water levels in
nearby wetlands would be maintained.

Bucketwheel Mining.  Bucketwheel mining would result in impacts on
terrestrial ecology similar to those described for dragline mining.

3.7.2.2.2  Waste Sand and Clay Disposal
Sand-Clay Mixing (Farmland's Proposed Action).  The proposed action
calls for the majority of the sand and clay wastes to be disposed of
through the sand-clay mix technique.  The sand-clay mix is expected to
achieve a higher percent solids at a more rapid rate than clays alone
(25 percent solids rather than 17 percent solids clay basis) and provide
more rapid recycling of a greater amount of water.  This will provide
for a more rapid achievement of a stable fill.  Use of  sand-clay mixing
will minimize the extent of the land surface to be covered with slow
drying, unstable phosphatic clays.   Thus, the area to be available for
Farmland's varied reclamation plan will be maximized.   The use of sand-clay
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mixing should also result in a land surface that closely approximates
the original surface in both contour and elevation.  However, it should
be noted that large-scale sand-clay mixing has yet to be proven as a
workable waste disposal technique in the phosphate industry.  The
success with which the proposed plan will work depends largely on what
other operators achieve in the next 1 to 2 years.

     Although Farmland proposes to dispose of most of the waste sand and
clay through the sand-clay mix technique, separate sand and clay dis-
posal areas will also be required.  Waste clays will be impounded in
diked areas covering 1078 acres during most of the life of the mine.
These large areas will contain clays at various densities, ranging from
about 17 percent solids to less than 3 percent solids.  Should a dike
failure occur in an impoundment dike, this material could flow overland
and into natural stream courses producing tremendous impacts on terres-
trial biota.  A worst-case analysis of the result of a dike failure in
one of Farmland's proposed impoundments  (Area I, the largest undivided
settling area proposed) indicates that as much as 11,500 acre-feet of
material could be released, most of which would find its way into Oak or
Hickory Creeks (Farmland 1979a).  Because the sand-clay mix should
dewater and consolidate more rapidly than separately impounded clays,
most of the wastes confined in the sand-clay mix disposal areas should
not be in a fluid state.  The area affected by a break in a sand-clay
retention dike should, therefore, be relatively small.

Conventional Sand and Clay Disposal.  This alternative involves disposal
of clay slimes as conventionally practiced in the Florida phosphate
industry.  Clay slimes would be contained within diked areas both on
virgin land and over mined-out areas.  After the clay slimes had settled
and compacted over a period of several years, these areas would gen-
erally be left to revegetate naturally or reclaimed as pasture.  While
conventional clay disposal would result  in the creation of large areas
of limited agricultural value, it has been shown that these areas could
be beneficial to wildlife, particularly wetland species  (The Wildlife
Society 1978).  However, the additional  diking required to contain the
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separately impounded clay wastes would increase the probability of a
dike failure over that which exists for sand-clay mix disposal.

3.7.2.2.3  Process Water Sources
Groundwater Withdrawal (Farmland's Proposed Action).  The major source
of water for the proposed mine will be from onsite deep wells.  The
production wells will be drilled to an approximate depth of 1400 ft and
cased to about 250 ft.  Since the drawdown resulting from this pumping
must meet the requirements of the SWFWMD, the operation of these wells
should have little impact on the surrounding terrestrial environments.

Surface Water Impjmndment.  Farmland's proposed rainfall collection
facilities include only those structures which are a part of the mining,
waste disposal, and water clarification and recirculation plans (amounting
to a nominal average of 10.6 cfs of normal rainfall).  In order to
improve the collection of such water for use in the facility processes,
additional catchment areas or reservoirs could be provided in the main
drainage areas of the mine property.  The average flows of Hickory and
Oak Creek would be maintained at 6.2 and 15.8 cfs, respectively; there-
fore the potential reservoir gain would come largely from above normal
flows.

     The impact associated with the construction of such a reservoir
system would be significant because of the loss of the Oak Creek Islands
area, which would be preserved under the proposed action.  This area
lies in the largest natural drainage through the site and thus would be
the logical location for the surface water impoundment.

3.7.2.2.4  Reclamation
Farmland's Proposed Reclamation Plan.  Farmland's proposed reclamation
plan calls for reclamation of the mine site to be undertaken as mining
proceeds, so that reclamation of the areas mined initially will be
completed during the 9th year of operation, and all reclamation will be
completed 30 years after mining begins.  The net effect of this plan on
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the extent of the general vegetation associations which currently exist
on the site will be as follows:
                                                              A Acreage
Vegetation   Current Disturbed Preserved Reclaimed Post-Reel. Current:
Association  Acreage  Acreage   Acreage   Acreage   Acreage  Post-Reel.
Forested
Uplands 790
Freshwater
Swamp 1205
Freshwater
Marsh 392
Pine Flatwoods/
Palmetto Range 937
Citrus 1917
Improved
Pasture/
Cropland 2569
Lakes 0

280

320

285

583
1757


2055
0

510

885

107

354
160


514
0

550

59

339

0
*


4097
235

1060

944

446

354
160


4611
235

+270(4-34%)

-221(-22%)

+54(4-14%)

-583 (-62%)
-1757 (-92%)


+2042 (+79%)
+235
               7810     5280
2530
5280
7810
 *0nly a small citrus planting is planned on reclaimed  land.

     As indicated above, the proposed reclamation  plan will  greatly
 increase the acreage on the mine site devoted  to pasture and crops.  The
 acreage occupied by forested uplands, freshwater marsh, and  lakes will
 also increase.  Most of the reclaimed forested upland  acreage (344 of
 550 acres) will be in  the  form of  strip plantings  between pasture and
 cropland areas  (see Figures 2-12,  2-34, 2-35,  and  2-36; pages 2-17,
 2-75, 2-77, and 2-79,  respectively).  Only native  species will be used
 in the plantings.  Trees will be obtained  from onsite  areas  to be mined
 and from the Florida Forest Service.  A planting  density of  200 trees/
 acre is planned.  A total  of 143 acres of  upland  forest and  52 acres of
 freshwater swamp  (forest)  plantings will  also  be  made along  the flood-
 plains for the  rerouting of Oak Creek and  one  of  its tributaries.
 Additional plantings of upland forest and  freshwater swamp  (63 and 7
 acres, respectively) will  be made  on  land  areas associated with land-
 and-lakes reclamation.
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     Farmland's reclamation plan also calls for  the  creation of  339
acres of freshwater marsh.  Most of this  (181 acres) will occur  as a
result of the uneven distribution of sand and clay which is likely to
occur in sand-clay mix landfills.  This should result in the formation
of scattered shallow depressions (Figure 3-13) which would tend  to pond
water (especially in areas downslope of the waste inlet location).  Much
of the remaining freshwater marsh would be created as part of the
reclamation of the Oak Creek floodplain to the west  of Oak Creek Is-
lands.  Mine cuts will be arranged such that when the sand-clay  mix
planted in them has subsided and the creek's flow is returned, the flow
will traverse the area much the way that it would along a natural
meandering floodplain.  Water tolerant trees will be planted along the
stream channel, and marsh is expected to develop in  the channel  itself.
The remaining wetland acreage to be created would occur as littoral
zones around the lake systems which will result  from reclamation.  Such
areas will be designed to average about 3 ft in  depth, and will  not
exceed 6 ft.  In all, 398 acres of wetlands will be  created by the
proposed reclamation plan, most of which will be in  the mined Oak Creek
floodplain upstream of Oak Creek Islands.  This  represents 66 percent of
the total wetland acreage disturbed by mining activities, and 77 percent
of the Category 1 and 2 Wetlands which would be  destroyed.

     While the proposed reclamation plan should return the mine  site to
productive use, the habitats present will not be as  suitable for some
species of wildlife as the undisturbed site is.  This is the case for
one important species, the indigo snake (Layne, et al. 1977).  Conse-
quently, the long-term effect of the proposed project on the indigo
snake will be a reduction in available habitat which may further reduce
the species' population in the site region.  On  the  other hand,  the
impacts on the American alligator should be more than mitigated  by the
creation of the proposed lake system, while the marsh systems created
would provide habitat for species such as the wood stork and Florida
sandhill crane.
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                                      PLAN VIEW
                                          RESTORED MARSH
                          SAND-CLAY LEVEL

                                    CRQSfrSECTION
FIGURE  3-13.  CONCEPTUAL VIEW  OF  MARSH RESTORATION
             IN A SAND-CLAY MIX  DISPOSAL AREA.

SOURCE: FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC., HARDEE COUNTY MASTER PLAN, JUNE 1979
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Conventional Reclamation.  Under conventional reclamation a large
portion  (2500 acres) of the Farmland site would be  covered to an ele-
vation of 35 ft above existing grade with impounded clays.  Once these
had settled and a crust had formed on the surface,  this area would
likely be planted with forage species for use as pasture.  The mined
portions of the site not covered with clays would be reclaimed as land
and lake areas.  Overall, the diversity of habitat  for terrestrial
wildlife species would likely be significantly less than will develop
under Farmland's proposed reclamation plan.  Most of the site would
likely be reclaimed as pasture and lakes, neither of which provide the
total habitat requirements for most species.

Natural Mine Cut Reclamation.  Natural mine cut reclamation would
greatly alter the potential use of the mined site.   Because of the
uneven terrain which would be left, the majority of the site would not
be suited for agricultural use.  The site would, however, be more suited
for use by wildlife (once vegetation had reestablished itself) than will
be the case under Farmland's proposed reclamation plan.

3.8  SOCIOECONOMICS

3.8.1  THE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

3.8.1.1  Population, Income, and Employment
     Hardee County is predominantly rural, with two-thirds of the
population living in unincorporated areas.  The estimated population was
17,800 in 1978.  Population growth in Hardee County has been low rela-
tive to the region or the state,  reflecting a minimal amount of immi-
gration to the county.

     Prior to the development of phosphate mining in 1978, the economic
base of Hardee County consisted of agriculture and  a few manufacturing
establishments.  The agricultural sector is the largest source of earned
income in the country,  but the services, trade, and  government sectors
are also major income providers.   Recent phosphate  mining has provided a
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significant new source of income in the mining sector; however, much of
this income does not add to economic activity in Hardee County.

     The county's labor force was an estimated 8842 persons in August
1979.  Unemployment averaged 6.8 percent during 1978 and ranged from 4.5
percent in April to 10.6 percent in August during 1979.  This variation
is due to seasonal employment in agriculture, especially citrus.

     Wage rates in Hardee County are low relative to the more urban
counties in the region.  Wages in phosphate mining and construction are
substantially higher than in other job categories.

     Employment and population growth in the county will depend almost
entirely on the expansion of the phosphate industry.  Phosphate employ-
ment in Hardee County is likely to increase at a higher rate and main-
tain a positive growth rate beyond 1985 since the county's phosphate
reserves are just beginning to be tapped.

3.8.1.2  Land Use
     Land use in Hardee County is predominantly agricultural.  Citrus,
cattle, and cropland comprise approximatley half of the entire land area
in the county.  Because of the predominance of agricultural uses, devel-
opment is rather limited, and less than 1 percent of the county is
urbanized.  The three incorporated areas are Bowling Green, Wauchula,
the county seat, and Zolfo Springs; commercial and industrial land uses
are restricted to the three urban areas but primarily  to Wauchula.
Generally, other areas of Hardee County are occupied primarily by
rangelands or wetlands.  Phosphate companies currently own or have
options on slightly less than one-half of the land in Hardee County.

     The proposed Farmland site in Hardee County occupies 14,373 acres.
All of the onsite land is currently leased to private  agricultural
interests.  The highest valued use of land in the site area at present
is the 2145 acres of citrut production.  The remaining 12,288 acres are
used primarily as grazing land for cattle, the quality of which varies
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considerably.  Many of the wetland areas onsite, particularly marshes,
show evidence of past attempts to drain them.  Wetlands associated with
the major drainage courses on the site have best retained  their natural
character despite such alterations and use.

     Land use in the surrounding area is similar to  that in the site
area.  The unincorporated Village of Ona is located  approximately 1 mile
northwest of the mine property, and has an estimated 88 residential
structures and several commercial establishments.  One small industrial
facility, a post plant, is located adjacent to Ona to the  southwest.

     Two agencies provide regional planning services to Hardee County.
The Central Florida Regional Planning Council (CFRPC), headquartered in
Bartow, provides technical assistance and advice to  local  planning
agencies in the county and reviews applications for  DRIs.  The Southwest
Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) has jurisdiction over water-
related planning and consumption in the region, including  regulatory
control over consumptive water use permits.  In addition,  SWFWMD assists
CFRPC in reviewing water-related aspects of complex  DRIs.

     The Hardee County Planning and Zoning Board is  the designated local
planning agency for Hardee County.  This Board administers the county's
zoning ordinance.   In addition, the Board has retained a consultant to
help it prepare the comprehensive plan elements required by The Local
Government Planning Act of 1975.   In general, the county's policy toward
land use planning and control has been the typical one of minimal inter-
ference with the independent land use decisions of private individuals.
However, the county has adopted a mining ordinance which requires the
company to submit a Master Mining and Reclamation Plan and to provide
evidence that the company has met all other requirements stipulated by
other agencies having some jurisdiction over mining.

3.8.1.3  Transportation
     The existing transportation network in Hardee County  consists of
U.S. 17, the major north-south corridor, and State Roads (SRs) 62 and 64
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which provide east-west access.  The proposed site is directly served by
SRs 64,  661, and 663 and the Fort Green-Ona Road, a graded unpaved road
maintained by the county.  In addition, the Seaboard Coastline Railroad
has two tracks through the county, one paralleling the Fort Green-Ona
Road and the other paralleling U.S. 17.

     More recent Average Daily Traffic (ADT) counts by the Hardee County
Engineer's office show an ADT of 447 for the north end of the Fort
Green-Ona Road (March 1979), an ADT of 384 for SR 663 north of SR 62,
and an ADT between 683 and 803 for SR 661.

     The only major traffic generator in the general area at present is
the recently opened CF Industries, Inc. phosphate mine which is located
about 10 miles north of Farmland's proposed site.  Other primary traffic
generators in the area are the dispersed ranching, vegetable, and citrus
operations and seasonal tourists.  Peak traffic occurs during the
winter period.

     The recently completed traffic circulation element of the compre-
hensive plan identified three major transportation issues facing Hardee
County:   status and need for improvements to U.S. 17; the need or desir-
ability of paving Fort Green-Ona Road between SRs 64 and 62; limited
access to U.S. 17 available to residents east of Wauchula; and the
resultant increased traffic on 64A within the city.

3.8.1.4  Community Services and Facilities
     Hardee County had an estimated 6064 year-round housing units in
1976, of which 3.4 percent were vacant.  The predominate type and
tensure of housing in Hardee County is single-family owner-occupied, with
the number of mobile homes having increased in recent years and multi-
family units still a negligible portion of the county's housing stock.
The major concentrations of housing in the county are in and around the
incorporated towns and the outlying communities of Fort Green Springs,
Limestone, and Ona.  The structural condition of much of the older
housing in the county is poor.
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     Hardee County is served by one school district.  Elementary stu-
dents in grades 1-5 attend an elementary school in  the incorporated  town
nearest their home, but all sixth graders and junior and  senior high
school students in the county are transported to Wauchula for school.
The District Superintendent of Schools expects a total enrollment in
excess of 4500 before the end of the 1979-80 school year.  Although
current enrollment is near the capacity of existing facilities, the
district has started construction on a new high school which should  give
the district the capacity to handle in excess of 5600 students.

     Fire protection in the county is currently provided  by three munic-
ipal volunteer fire departments.  Service to the rural areas in the
county is poor, but studies are underway to investigate ways of im-
proving fire protection.  The Wauchula Fire Department equipment is
adequate and in good condition.  However, both Bowling Green and Zolfo
Springs need new or upgraded pumper trucks.

3.8.1.5  Public Finance
     Intergovernmental transfers and property taxes are the major
revenue sources for the county government.  Service charges and inter-
governmental transfers are the major revenue sources for  the munici-
palities.   Currently, school district operating revenues  are evenly
split between local property taxes and state sources; however, state
sources provide approximately three-fourths of the  school district's
revenues for capital expenditures and debt service.  Although the
property tax base has increased significantly in the past few years,
property tax revenues have not increased very much  because the county
has opted to reduce tax rates.

     The county's major expenditure categories include general govern-
ment, public safety,  and economic development.  The municipalities'
major expenditures are for public works.  The district's  FY 1980 budget
includes $5.9 million for general instruction and support.  In addition,
the district will spend nearly $6 million for construction of a new high
school.
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3.8.1,6  Cultural Resources
     Historically, the flatland areas of the proposed project area
presented very few easily obtainable resources, floral or faunal.
Because of its wet nature during the growing season, the land was not
well-suited to the types of maize horticulture practiced by Florida
Indians.  Thus, the flatlands on the Farmland property were probably not
a hospitable environment to the south Florida Indians and were utilized
only very sporadically.  In fact, it is only since power machinery for
digging drainage ditches and year-round watering holes became available
that the land could be improved sufficiently for use as pasture.

     The majority of the Indian sites found in the area were small
camps, usually adjacent to a water source.  Also reported for northern
Hardee County are several earthen mounds of artificial construction and
unknown use, some of which contain artifactual material  (Wood 1976) .  As
one moves westward out of the flatlands toward the coastal strand, the
number of sites increases, especially when the ecotone between the
coastal and flatland habitat is reached.  These occupations extend up
the rivers into the flatlands for a way, but decrease significantly away
from the rivers.  In the same manner, as one moves eastward toward the
central Florida highlands, the number of sites increases and extends for
a short way into the flatlands along rivers flowing down from the higher
central portion of the state.

     Hardee County is located between two discrete and well-defined
culture regions.  The first, the coastal portion of Manatee and  Sarasota
Counties to the west, was the southern extent of the various cultures
which inhabited the peninsular Florida Central Gulf Coast from about
2000 B.C. to the historic period (Archaic, Norwood, Deptford, Weeden
Island, Safety Harbor).  To the southeast is the Bell Glade culture
region, centered in the Lake Okeechobee Basin but extending an unknown
distance northward up the Kissimee River drainage and west along the
Caloosahatchee  (Sears 1974).  The latter region was occupied intensively
from about 500 B.C. into the historic period.  Hardee County, as well as
the coastal strand and Lake Okeechobee Basin, contains Archaic sites
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dating back at least to 5000 B.C.  Paleo-Indian materials dated to 8000
B.C. have also been found in all three regions (e.g., Clausen, Brooks
and Wesolowsky 1975).  The Archaic sites and the few Paleo-Indian sites
are generally small camps found around old sinks (some now silted-in).
Quite likely, nomadic hunters utilized the sinks to mine flint and
obtain water in what was then arid south Florida (Thanz 1975).

     Thus, because of the relative sparseness of its habitats after
about 2000 B.C., Hardee County served as a "no-man's land" or buffer
zone between the Gulf coastal cultures and the cultures of the Lake
Okeechobee Basin.  Previous to that time, all three regions were occu-
pied only sporadically by small populations of nomadic Paleo-Indian and
Archaic hunters.  At no time during the prehistoric period was the
region ever an important culture area.

     In March and April of 1977 an intensive inventory archaeological
survey of the Farmland mine site was carried out by personnel employed
by the Florida State Museum (Milanich and Willis 1977).  The survey
revealed twelve previously unknown scatters of aboriginal artifacts on
the property, three of which warranted listing in the Florida Master
Site File.  Although these three warranted listing, no mitigation was
recommended because they had already been extremely disturbed by past
agricultural practices.  Milanich and Willis (1977) also state that a
paleontological site has been reported from the property.  It was
reported that a partial, badly-deteriorated mammoth skeleton was removed
from Hickory Creek by a Wauchula resident in 1965.  No paleontological
remains were found on the site by Milanich and Willis.

3.8.1.7  Visual Resources
3.8.1.7.1  Physical Environment Description
     The existing landform of the proposed Farmland mine site is nearly
flat to slightly rolling.  Three creeks with some steeply incised banks
cut through the property, creating some variation in relief.  Dense
vegetation, however, tends to obscure the variation in topography.
Irregular-shaped bands of tall rounded trees with dense understory grow
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along the creeks, which are separated by grassy pastures and citrus
groves.  The pastures are rectangular with hedgerows along some fence
lines and occasional clumps of coniferous or hardwood forest within.
The citrus groves are uniform and rectangular.  Patches of palmetto,
swamp or marsh vegetation occur sporadically throughout the site.  The
natural areas, pastures, and groves create a mixed pattern of open and
enclosed spaces.  The dominant colors are various shades of green and
gray and some tan from dried vegetation.

     The site is located in a rural area, and nearly all structures on
the site or nearby are either farm housing or associated with agri-
culture.  The site boundary is within 3000 ft of the small community of
Ona which has approximately 88 dwelling structures.  Most are small, one
to two story buildings and are made primarily of wood.  Also, there is a
small wood mill in Ona with a large two story shed.

3.8.1.7.2  Human Perception Analysis
     The most frequent public views of the proposed Farmland mine site
would be from cars on SRs 661, 663, 64, and East Whidden Road (Figure
3-14).  Views into the site from along these roads are sometimes ob-
structed by dense vegetation, orchards, or parcels not owned by Farm-
land.  Open areas (unobstructed views) range in distance between 0.5 and
1.5 miles.  The flat terrain and vegetation prevents long, sweeping
vistas.

     As indicated in Figure 3-14, the number of viewers to pass the mine
site by car varies between 201 on SR 663, and 2307 on SR 64 (based on
ADTs and one person per car).  This compares to 10,391 persons calcu-
lated for U.S. Route 17 (the nearest U.S. Highway), which is 7 miles
away.  The heaviest traffic is along SR 64 followed by SR 661.  This
number may increase should plans for improvement of these roads be
implemented.  The typical viewer would see the site only briefly in
passing; there are no major places to stop and view the site for longer
periods of time.  Of course, local residents, including those in Ona,
                                  3-135

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                                                                                       POLK COUNTY
   TO •*
BRAOENTON
                                                 FORT Ml Mil


                                        BOWLING GREEN
, <$

479
542
1807
1788
X 	
                      RD
                                                                                                         TO
                                                                                                     I   U S 98
            HARDEE COUNTY
                                                        /                                 _
                          y          \                  /                          0000  1176 ADT
                                     K861)              /                           0000  1978 ADT
                                  TO ARCADIA

                                     I
                                                    TO ARCADIA
                                                                                DESOTO  COUNTY
FIGURE 3-14.   1976  AND 1978 ANNUAL AVERAGE DAILY TWO-WAY  TRAFFIC (ADT) LEVELS
               ON  ROADS IN THE FARMLAND INDUSTRIES,  INC. SITE AREA.

SOURCE: FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC., DRI. JUNE 1979
                                                                                                       1	2   3
                                                                                                      •^•^B   •
                                                                                                         MILES

-------
would be able to continuously view the site.  The site is not visible to
canoers on the Peace River because of dense vegetation.

     A survey of regionally pre-empted areas suggests a preference in
central Florida for water-based recreation and natural areas (EPA 1978).
The nearest recreation areas to the mine site are Pioneer Park (5 miles)
and the Peace River canoe trail (on the eastern property boundary).
Pioneer Park, which borders the Peace River near Wauchula, has both day
and overnight use.  The Peace River canoe trail has no public land
acquisition associated with the program, and no usage data are available
(EPA 1978).  The river is a potential nominee for scenic river status,
and the site property adjacent to the Peace River has physical qualities
similar to other pre-empted areas in central Florida.  However, no such
state or local recreation purchases are anticipated in Hardee County.

3.8.2  ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES OF THE ALTERNATIVES

3.8.2.1  The No Action Alternative
     The no action alternative would have socioeconomic impacts on
Hardee County and the central Florida region.  The generation of con-
struction and operation jobs and comparatively high phosphate industry
income, important to the economy of a rural county like Hardee, would
not occur.  Similarly, there would be no population influx associated
with relocating direct and indirect employment.

     Project site land use is likely to remain in citrus production,
pasture, and other agricultural uses.  All wetlands and environmentally
sensitive lands would also remain in their present uses.  If the site is
not developed for its phosphate reserves, it is probable that the
property value would drop (relative to the value for phosphate).

     The no action alternative would result in lower traffic levels on
local roads and the Seaboard Coastline Railroad than would occur with
the project.  Subsequently,  the demand for transportation facility
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capital improvements, such as paving the Fort Green-Ona Road, railroad
crossings and turning lanes, would be less urgent or unnecessary.

     The no action alternative would eliminate an additional demand on
an already inadequate housing situation and the increased demands for
fire protection, police and medical services which the project will
bring.  Because current school district expansion is adequate for
project created demand, the no action alternative would have no impact
on local schools.

3.8.2.2  The Action Alternatives, Including The Proposed Action
     The impacts of the action alternatives on socioeconomics have not
been evaluated in the same format that has been presented for other
disciplines.  The socioeconomics evaluation is thus limited to the no
action alternative vs. the proposed action.  The impacts of Farmland's
proposed action are presented in detail below:

3.8.2.2.1  Population, Income, and Employment
     Direct employment on the proposed Farmland phosphate mine will peak
at 450 employees during construction, with the average being 285 em-
ployees.  Permanent operating employment is expected to stabilize at 327
employees.  Less than 10 percent of the construction employees and
approximately 25 percent of the operating employees are likely to be
current Hardee County residents.  Approximately 25 percent of the
operating work force, or about 80 employees, is expected to relocate to
Hardee County.

     Total regional secondary employment generated by operation of the
facility is projected to be between 1000 and 2000.  However, only
approximately 25 percent of this employment will be new employment
located in Hardee County.   The remainder will be dispersed throughout
the region.

     New households relocating to Hardee County as a result of employ-
ment generated by operation of the facility will add approximately 980
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to 1580 persons to the county's population.  This increase constitutes 4
to 7 percent of the projected population of the county in 1984.

     Construction labor expenditures for the proposed Farmland project
will total $14 million, and the annual operations payroll starting in
1984 will be $6.3 million (in 1980 dollars).  Total operations expendi-
tures over the 20-year operation life will total approximately $126
million (1980 dollars).  Most (85 percent) of the construction labor
expenditures and essentially all of the operations expenditures will
accrue to the seven county region.  Approximately 10 percent of con-
struction payroll and 50 percent of the operations payroll will accrue
to Hardee County residents.

     Secondary income from indirect and induced employment would total
$41 million for construction and $21 million annually for operations.
Approximately 25 percent of indirect and induced income will accrue to
Hardee County residents.

     The average wage levels of Farmland employees will be significantly
higher than general construction, agricultural, and service employees.
The effect of the combined direct, indirect, and induced income in-
creases will be an increase in the county per capita income.  However,
the differential in wages created by the project will inflate local
wages and could increase the cost of doing business in the construction,
agriculture, and service sectors.  Some loss of personnel from these, as
well as other sectors, to the mining industry might occur; as a result
the disparity between  lower and higher incomes will widen.

3.8.2.2.2  Land Use and Value
     The Farmland project will have an impact on project site and  county
land use.  Agricultural acreage will increase 7.2 percent onsite,
largely because of a 79.2 percent increase in improved pasture acreage.
Citrus acreage will, in fact, decrease by 91.7 percent.  This loss
represents roughly 4 percent of the Hardee County citrus acreage.
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Forestland and wetland acreage on the project site will also decrease to
50.0 and 87.0 percent of the existing acreage, respectively.

     The project has already more than doubled land values that could be
expected from present onsite uses ($11.0 million to $31.2 million).
After the completion of mining, post-mining land values will be about 70
percent less than pre-mining phosphate value and 14 percent of its non-
phosphate value.  The greatest non-phosphate value loss will be where
citrus acreage is to be mined.

3.8.2.2.3  Transportation
     The Farmland project will generate an average 813 one-way trips on
local roads during construction and 858 one-way trips during project
operation.  Traffic volumes during construction will increase by 4.5
percent on SR 64 west of the site, 29.3 percent on SR 64 east of the
site and 9.5 percent on SR 663 south of the site;  Operational levels on
these routes will be 4.6 percent, 17.8 percent, and 7.6 percent,
respectively.

     Approximately 2 million tons of wet phosphate rock will be trans-
ported by rail from the project site each year of operation.  This will
require an estimated 70 rail car trips per day, increasing rail traffic
on the Seaboard Coastline Railroad track paralleling the Fort Green-Ona
Road.  Train crossings of SRs 62 and 64 should cause no more than
several minutes delay at each crossing each day.

     The increased traffic and transportation facilities associated with
the project will require over $2 million in capital improvements and
cause an estimated $100,000 increase in annual Hardee County road
maintenance costs.

3.8.2.2.4  Community Facilities
     The Farmland project will create a housing demand for 330 to 580
housing units for relocating direct and indirect employment.  At 1980
housing costs and salary levels, 43 to 76 new single-family units, 113
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to 199 older single-family units, 107 to 187 mobile homes, and 71 to 123
rental units would be required.

     School enrollment will increase by 246 to 396 students due to
project related population increases.  With the completion of a new high
school, the school district will have the capacity to meet demand from
the project and non-project enrollment and current growth rates.

     The population increase induced by the Farmland project will
decrease the per capita level of fire protection by 5 to 8 percent,
requiring the hiring of 7 to 12 additional fire fighters to equal
current levels.  However, because the population increase is most likely
to occur where the fire protection is best in terms of response time,
the level of fire protection service may not decrease significantly.

     Without expansion to meet demands by the project-induced population
increase, the per capita level of medical service will also decrease by
5 to 8 percent, requiring the hiring of at least one medical doctor and
three to six hospital beds to equal current levels.  At the same time,
the employment stability of the phosphate industry and the population
increase generated by the project might attract additional services to
the county.

3.8.2.2.5  Public Finance
     The Farmland project will generate revenue for Hardee County
through ad valorem taxation and redistribution of sales tax collected in
Hardee County.  Once operations commence, the annual revenue generated
by the project is estimated at $900,000.  Approximately 31.2 percent of
the ad valorem revenue will go to the general county fund, 66.4 percent
to the school district, and 2.4 percent to the SWFWMD and the Peace
River Basin.  Most of the sales tax revenue will be distributed to
Wauchula, Zolfo Springs, and Bowling Green on a per capita basis.

     Hardee County expenditures generated by the Farmland project will
consist of one-time capital improvement costs and annual operating
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expenditures.  The capital improvement costs are estimated to total
$2.43 million; annual county expenditures will increase from $701,000 to
$928,000, depending on population scenario.  Increased annual expendi-
tures will be required for educational costs, road maintenance, and
additional administrative and service personnel.

     While the Farmland project will increase Hardee County expendi-
tures, revenue availability will normally exceed expenditure demands.
An exception may occur in 1984 should a major capital expenditure be
required to pave the Fort Green-Ona Road.  However, after operation
commences, revenue generated will exceed expenditures.  Some minor
mismatches between county and municipal revenue/expenditure may occur,
but should be minimized by municipal service charges and the sales tax
revenue they receive.

     The project will also generate about $2.4 million in severance tax
revenue annually, of which 50 to 75 percent will go to the General
Revenue Fund of the State of Florida.  The remainder of the revenue will
be credited to the Land Reclamation Trust Fund and the Florida Institute
of Phosphate Research.

3.8.2.2.6  Cultural Resources
     Pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act,
EPA consulted with the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO), and
the Florida Division of Archives, History, and Records Management; to
obtain an evaluation of the cultural resource impacts of the Farmland
project.  Based on the results of surveys conducted on the Farmland site
and a review of the Florida Master Site File, the SHOP provided EPA
his opinion that the proposed Farmland mine is unlikely to affect any
archaeological or historic sites listed, or eligible for listing, on the
National Register of Historic Places, or otherwise of national, state or
local significance (Percy 1980).
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3.8.2.2.7  Visual Resources
Construction.  Construction impact assessment for visual resources only
considers the completed results of initial construction such as finished
buildings, access roads, settling areas, grading, and retention dams.
Actual construction activities may be unsightly at times, but this
disturbance occurs over a shorter time period and is less significant
than the total impact of the completed project elements before operation
begins.  This discussion will be limited to the beneficiation plant
complex and settling areas.  Mining activities are included in the
operations discussion.

     Beneficiation plant complex construction would substantially change
the landform in order to create the waste disposal recirculation system
that includes canals, clean water pond, and retention dams.  The re-
tention dam heights would be as much as 41 ft above the natural grade,
which is relatively flat, and have slopes between 20 and 40 percent.
The height, slope, and configuration of these dams are not character-
istic of this rural area.  This landform contrast would be a negative
visual impact and would be particularly perceptible to motorists on SR
663 and SR 64.

     Large rectangular areas of vegetation would be cleared to construct
the beneficiation plant and settling areas.  The existing random vege-
tation patterns and lines would be replaced with sharp, rigid lines that
would direct views from SR 663 and SR 64 toward the plant structures.
The resulting contrast would be a moderate negative visual impact.  Some
of this harsh contrast would be reduced once the dams were revegetated
for stabilization.

     Beneficiation plant structures would create strong visual contrasts
in this rural setting.  The texture, color, height, and form of these
industrial structures are unlike nearby rural structures and do not
blend into the surrounding area.  The contrasts represent a strong
negative visual impact.  Initially, the plant would be partially
                                   3-143

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obscured from view by existing vegetation but as mining progresses visi-
bility of the plant would increase.  Views from East Whidden Road would
be the least affected because the preserved areas south of the plant
would block views of most of the structures.

Operation.  The landforms of the mine site would be totally transformed
during mining operation except in most preserved areas.  Open pits,
water ponds, spoil piles, and retention dams all strongly contrast with
the existing conditions.  Portions of stream channels would be totally
relocated.  Retention dams and spoil piles along roadsides would be the
most easily detectable landform change.  The buffer along the roadways
is not adequately vegetated to provide significant screening.  Parcels
not owned by Farmland would screen some views, especially along SR 661.
Most mining, however, would occur adjacent to the roadways.  The nega-
tive visual impact to the landform would be the greatest during the
middle of the mine's life and then decline as restoration results become
noticeable.

     Mining operations would remove vegetation gradually, but there
would be sharply defined  (mechanical) lines and abrupt color changes
between existing vegetation and the mining area.  These contrasts will
be strongest near the preserved areas where vegetation is dense, tall,
and irregularly shaped.  The contrast would be less distinct in the re-
maining areas that are primarily citrus and pasture.  Strong line
contrasts would also be created where vegetation is removed in the
preserved areas for dragline crossings.  As mining progresses and larger
areas become void of vegetation, the contrasts would become more notice-
able.  The reclamation/revegetation process  (discussed below) would take
several years to reduce the majority of visual contrasts.  These con-
trasts caused by changes in the vegetation patterns would be a strong
negative visual impact.

     Although it is not an actual  fixed structure,  the dragline would be
large enough to create a noticeable  contrasting profile in the rela-
tively flat terrain.
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Post-Reclamation and Abandonment.  After reclamation the landforms would
be different from the existing conditions.  The final topography would
be defined as a series of plateaus rather than flat land and would be
higher in elevation than the surrounding areas.  Elevation differences
would be most noticeable from the roadways.  The form of the topography
would appear manipulated when compared to the existing and surrounding
terrain.  Former settling areas would create a stronger contrast to the
surrounding terrain than other site areas because of a greater increase
in elevation.  Wetland and lake areas would have strong line and form
contrasts because they appear manipulated and unnatural when compared to
similar natural areas.  Revegetation would reduce or obscure some
landform contrasts in the wetland and lake areas but it would take
several years to do so.

     Revegetation efforts for the post-reclamation plan would totally
change the quality of the existing random and irregular mixture of open
space and natural areas.  Strong contrasts in form and line would occur
where reforestation strips meet preserved areas.  These strips appear
utilitarian, repetitious, and rigid when compared to the existing and
surrounding vegetation patterns.  The proposed vegetation patterns (land
uses) would not blend harmoniously with the preserved areas causing
preserved areas to appear isolated.  Revegetation would not begin until
approximately 7 years after mining is initiated and the success of these
efforts is uncertain  (experimental in some areas).  Therefore, the
vegetation contrasts would exist throughout the project life and years
after mining ceases.  The proposed vegetation of the post-reclamation
plan when fully matured would still create negative visual impacts.

     Removal of all unnecessary buildings from the mine site after
project completion, as proposed by Farmland, would restore the agri-
cultural scale of the area and improve the visual quality.

Summary.  Construction, operation, and reclamation of the mine site
would create a variety of moderate to strong visual impacts.  Initially,
the mining sequence would isolate the impacts and allow some to be
                                  3-145

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Cherry, R.N., J.W. Stewart, and J.A. Mann.  1970.  General Hydrology of
     the Middle Gulf Area.  U.S.G.S.  RI 56.

Clausen, C.J., H.K. Brooks, and A.B. Wesolowsky.  1975.  Florida Spring
     Confirmed as 10,000 Year Old Early Man Site.  Florida Anthropo-
     logical Society Publications, No. 7.

Grossman, J.S., R.L. Kaesler, and J. Cairns, Jr.  1974.  The Use of
     Cluster Analysis in the Assessment of Spills of Hazardous Materials.
     Amer. Midi. Natur. 92(1):94-114.

Davis, S.  1978.  Marsh Plant Production and Phosphorus Flux in Ever-
     glades Conservation Area Z.  Paper Presented at Environmental
     Quality Through Wetlands Utilization Symposium.  Coordinating
     Council on the Restoration of the Kissimmee River Valley and Taylor
     Creek—Nubhin Slough Basin, Tallahassee, FL.  February 28-March 2,
     1978.

Farmland Industries, Inc.  1979a.  Development of Regional Impact Appli-
     cation for Development Approval, Phosphate Mining and Chemical
     Fertilizer Complex, Hardee County, FL.

Farmland Industries, Inc.  1979b.  Master Mine Plan Phosphate Mining and
     Beneficiation, Hardee County, Florida.  Prepared by Armac Engi-
     neers; J.C. Dickinson; Environmental Science & Engineering, Inc.;
     P.E. LaMoreaux & Associates, Inc.; and Zellars-Williams.

Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission.  1979.  Legal Status of
     Endangered and Potentially Endangered Species in Florida.  Talla-
     hassee, Florida.  1 August.

Gilbert, C.R.  (ed.).  1978.  Fishes.  Volume Four of Rare and Endangered
     Biota of Florida.  University Presses of Florida, Gainesville,
     Florida.  58 pp.

Goodrick, R.L. and J.F. Milleson.  1974.  Studies of Floodplain Vege-
     tation and Water Level Fluctuation in the Kissimmee River Valley.
     Central and Southern Flood Control District, West Palm Beach, FL.
     Technical Publication #74-2.

Groth, E., III.  1975.  An Evaluation of the Potential for Ecological
     Damage by Chronic Low-level Environmental Pollution by Fluoride.
     Fluoride 8:224.

Gunning, G.E. and T.M. Berra.  1969.  Fish Repopulation of Experimen-
     tally Decimated Segments in the Headwaters of Two Streams.  Trans.
     Am. Fish. Soc. 98(2):305-308.

Hershfield, D.M.  1961.  Rainfall Frequency Atlas of the U.S. for
     Durations from 30 Minutes to 24 Hours and Return Periods From 1 to
     100 Years.  U.S. Weather Bureau Technical Paper 40.  Washington,
     D.C.
                                  3-146

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Cherry, R.N., J.W. Stewart, and J.A. Mann.  1970.  General Hydrology of
     the Middle Gulf Area.  U.S.G.S.  RI 56.

Clausen, C.J., H.K. Brooks, and A.B. Wesolowsky.  1975.  Florida Spring
     Confirmed as 10,000 Year Old Early Man Site.  Florida Anthropo-
     logical Society Publications, No. 7.

Grossman, J.S., R.L. Kaesler, and J. Cairns, Jr.  1974.  The Use of
     Cluster Analysis in the Assessment of Spills of Hazardous Materials.
     Amer. Midi. Natur. 92(1):94-114.

Davis, S.  1978.  Marsh Plant Production and Phosphorus Flux in Ever-
     glades Conservation Area Z.  Paper Presented at Environmental
     Quality Through Wetlands Utilization Symposium.  Coordinating
     Council on the Restoration of the Kissimmee River Valley and Taylor
     Creek—Nubbin Slough Basin, Tallahassee, FL.  February 28-March 2,
     1978.

Farmland Industries, Inc.  1979a.  Development of Regional Impact Appli-
     cation for Development Approval, Phosphate Mining and Chemical
     Fertilizer Complex, Hardee County, FL.

Farmland Industries, Inc.  1979b.  Master Mine Plan Phosphate Mining and
     Beneficiation, Hardee County, Florida.  Prepared by Armac Engi-
     neers; J.C. Dickinson; Environmental Science & Engineering, Inc.;
     P.E. LaMoreaux & Associates, Inc.; and Zellars-Williams.

Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission.  1979.  Legal Status of
     Endangered and Potentially Endangered Species in Florida.  Talla-
     hassee, Florida.  1 August.

Gilbert, C.R.  (ed.).  1978.  Fishes.  Volume Foure of Rare and Endangered
     Biota of Florida.  University Presses of Florida, Gainesville,
     Florida.  58 pp.

Goodrick, R.L. and J.F. Milleson.  1974.  Studies of Floodplain Vege-
     tation and Water Level Fluctuation in the Kissimmee River Valley.
     Central and Southern Flood Control District, West Palm Beach, FL.
     Technical Publication #74-2.

Groth, E., III.  1975.  An Evaluation of the Potential for Ecological
     Damage by Chronic Low—level Environmental Pollution by Fluoride.
     Fluoride 8:224.

Gunning, G.E. and T.M. Berra.  1969.  Fish Repopulation of Experimen-
     tally Decimated Segments in the Headwaters of Two Streams.  Trans.
     Am. Fish. Soc. 98(2):305-308.

Hershfield, D.M.  1961.  Rainfall Frequency Atlas of the U.S. for
     Durations from 30 Minutes to 24 Hours and Return Periods From 1 to
     100 Years.  U.S. Weather Bureau Technical Paper 40.  Washington,
     D.C.
                                  3-147

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Institute of Food and Agricultural  Sciences.   1980.   Position  Statement
     for the Agricultural Research  Center-Ona, Florida.

Kroger, R.L.  1973.  Biological Effects of Fluctuating Water Levels  in
     the Snake River, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming.  Amer. Midi.
     Nat. 89:478-481.

Larimore, R.W., W.F. Childers, and  C. Heckrotte.   1959.  Destruction and
     Reestablishment of Stream Fish and Invertebrates Affected by
     Drought.  Trans. Am. Fish. Soc.  88:261-285.

Layne, J.N., J.A. Stalkup, and G.E. Woolfender.  1977.  Fish and Wild-
     life Inventory of the Seven-County Region Included in the Central
     Florida Phosphate Industry Areawide Environmental Impact  Study.
     U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, D.C.

McDiarmid, R.W. (Ed.).  1978.  Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida.
     Volume Three - Amphibians and  Reptiles.  University Presses of
     Florida, Gainesville.

Michel, J. and W.S. Moore.  1980.   Ra-228 and Ra-226  Content of Ground-
     water in Fall Line Aquifers.   Health Physics.  38:663-671.

Miller, J.F.  1964.  Two to Ten Days Precipitation for Return  Periods of
     2 to 100 Years in the Contiguous United States.  U.S. Weather
     Bureau Technical Paper 49.  Washington, D.C.

Milleson, J.F.  1976.  Environmental Responses to Marshland Reflooding
     in the Kissimmee River Basin.  Central and Southern Florida Flood
     Control District, West Palm Beach, FL.  Technical Publication No.
     76-3.

Mills,  W.A., R.J. Guimond, and S.T. Windham.  1977.   Radiation Exposures
     in the Florida Phosphate Industry.  U.S. EPA Office of Rad. Prog.,
     Wa shing ton, D.C.

Minchall, G.W. and P.V. Winger.  1968.  The Effect of Reduction in
     Stream Flow on Invertebrate Drift.  Ecology 49:580-587.

Milanich, J.T. and R.F. Willis.  1977.  Archaeological and Historical
     Resources of the Farmland Industries, Inc. Property, Hardee County,
     Florida.  Miscellaneous Project Report Series, Number 10.  18 pp.

Mississippi Chemical Corporation.   1976.  Development of Regional Impact
     Application for Development Approval, Hardee County—Phosphate
     Mining.  Appendix to Vol. II - Water Resources Evaluation.

Ochsner, J.L. and T.R. Blackwood.   1978.  Source Assessment:   Chemical
     and Fertilizer Mineral Industry, State of the Art.  EPA-600/2-78-004P.

P.E. LaMoreaux & Associates, Inc.   1977.  Water Resources Evaluation for
     Mississippi Chemical Corporation, Hardee County, FL.
                                   3-148

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P.E. LaMoreaux & Associates, Inc.  1978.  Hydrologic Monitoring Program
     at the Farmland Industries Property, Hardee County, Florida.
     140 pp.

P.E. LaMoreaux & Associates, Inc.  1979.  Supporting Report for Con-
     sumptive Use Permit Application.  Farmland Industries, Inc., Hardee
     County Property.  98 pp.

Palmer, D.  Personal Communications.  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
     Jacksonville, FL.

PED Co-Environmental Specialists, Inc.  1975.  Particulate and Sulfur
     Dioxide Area Source Emission Inventory for Duval, Hillsborough,
     Pinellas, and Polk Counties, Florida.  Vol. I.  USEPA Region IV.

PED Co-Environmental Specialists, Inc.  1976a.  Air Quality Modeling in
     Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Polk Counties, Florida.  Vol. I.  USEPA
     Region IV.

PED Co-Environmental Specialists, Inc.  1976b.  Air Quality Modeling in
     Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Polk Counties, Florida.  Vol. II.
     USEPA Region IV.

Percy, G.W.  1980.  Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer and
     Chief, Bureau of Historic Sites and Properties.  Letter to A. Jean
     Tolman (U.S. EPA) re Archaeological Comments on Farmland Industries,
     Inc. Proposed Mine in Hardee County, Florida.

Prince, R.J.  1977.  Occupational Radiation Exposure in the Florida
     Phosphate Industry.  M.S. Thesis, University of Florida, Gaines-
     ville, FL.

Ritchie, J.C.  1972.  Sediment, Fish and Fish Habitat.  J. Soil Water
     Conserv. 27:124-125.

Roessler, C.E., J.A. Wethington, and W.E. Bolch.  1978.  Radioactivity
     of Lands and Associated Structures.  Fourth Semiannual Technical
     Report Submitted to Florida Phosphate Council by University of
     Florida College of Engineering.

Sears, W.H.  1974.  Archaeological Perspectives on Prehistoric Envi-
     ronment in the Okeechobee Basin Savannah.  In:  Environment of
     South Florida:  Present and Past, Ed. P.J. Gleason, pp.347-351.

Stringfield, V.T.  1966.  Artesian Water in Tertiary Limestone in the
     Southeastern States:  U.S.G.S. Prof. Paper 517.  p.226.

Tessitore, J.L.  1975.  Fluoride Data for Polk County, Florida.  DER.

Tessitore, J.L.  1976.  An Estimate of Total Fluorides Emitted in the
     Polk-Hillsborough County Area.  DER.  13 p.
                                  3-149

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Thanz, N.  1975.  Correlation of Environmental and Cultural Changes in
     Northeastern Florida During the Late Archaic.  Unpublished senior
     honors thesis, Department of Anthropology, University of Florida.

The Wildlife Society.  1978.  Letter from Nicholas Holler, President of
     the Florida Chapter of the Wildlife Society to John E. Hagan, III,
     Chief, EIS Branch, U.S. EPA, Atlanta, GA.  June 20, 1978.

Trescott, P.C.  1973.  Iterative Digital Model for Aquifer Evaluation
     U.S.G.S. Open File Report.  63 pp.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  1976.  Florida Phosphate Lands,
     Interim Recommendations for Radiation Levels.  Federal Register
     41(123-June 24).

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  1977a.  Compilation of Air
     Pollutant Emission Factors.  AP-2, Pt. A and B, 2nd Ed.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  1977.  Effects of Phosphate
     Mineralization and the Phosphate Industry on Radium-226 in Ground-
     water of Central Florida.  Office of Radiation Programs, Las Vegas,
     Nevada.  EPA/520-6-77-010.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  1978a.  Central Florida Phosphate
     Industry Areawide Impact Assessment Program, Volume IV:  Atmosphere.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  1978.  Final Environmental Impact
     Statement, Central Florida Phosphate Industry, Volume I Impact of
     Proposed Action.  EPA 904/9-78-026a.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  1979.  Development Document for
     Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards, Mineral Mining and
     Processing Industry, Point Source Category.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  1979a.  Noise Resource Document,
     Estech General Chemicals Corporation Draft Environmental Impact
     Statement.  EPA 904/9-79-044D.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  1979b.  Indoor Radiation Exposure
     Due to Radium-226 in Florida Phosphate Lands.  Office of Radiation
     Programs, Washington, D.C.  EPA 520/4-78-013.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  1979c.  Draft Environmental Impact
     Statement, Estech General Chemicals Corporation, Duette Mine.
     EPA 904-9-79-044.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  1980.  List of Endangered and Threat-
     ened Species Which May Occur in the Area of Influence for the
     Farmland Industries, Inc. Hardee County, Florida Project.  Letter
     from D.J. Hankla to A. Jean Tolman (U.S. EPA).  May 19, 1980.
                                  3-150

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Ware, F.J.  1969.  Effects of Phosphatic Clay Pollution on the Peace
     River, Florida.  Proc. 23rd Annual Conf. S.E. Assoc. Game Fish
     Commiss.  p.359-373.

Wood, L.N.  1976.  An Archaeological and Historical Survey of the CF
     Industries, Inc. Property in Northwestern Hardee County, Florida,
     University of S. Florida Archaeological Report, No. 2.

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     sultants, Clifton, NJ.

Zellars-Williams, Inc.  1978.  Radiation and Agricultural Productivity
     Analysis of Reclaimed Soils for Farmland's Hardee County Mine.
     June 1978.
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                                                                     4.0
                            SHORT-TERM USE VERSUS LONG-TERM PRODUCTIVITY
     The mining of phosphate matrix which lies beneath the surface of
the Farmland site and its onsite processing to a "wet rock" state is a
short-term, progressive use involving a portion of the total 7810-acre
site over the expected 20-year life of the mine.  The site's produc-
tivity currently includes range and pasture, wildlife, and water.  The
following discussion of short-term use versus long-term productivity is
arranged by environmental discipline groups.

4.1  THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

4.1.1  AIR

4.1.1.1  Short-Term
     The mining/processing of phosphate matrix at the Farmland site will
degrade existing air quality and increase existing noise levels.
Meteorological effects will be limited to minor microclimate changes
which occur as areas are cleared.

     Air quality would be degraded by continual small emissions over the
life of the mine.  Sources include the beneficiation plant  (e.g.,
volatile flotation agents), internal combustion engines (e.g., pay-
scrapers), and the disturbed land itself  (e.g., Radon-gas).  Airborne
dust particles from increased vehicle traffic, mining, and processing
operations may also degrade air quality.
                                   4-1

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     Noise levels will increase significantly in the immediate vicinity
of active land clearing, mining, and reclamation operations; and near
the beneficiation plant.

4.1.1.2  Long-Term
     Disturbance of the existing geologic strata and surface soils
should intermix the generally leached, nutrient deficient soils occur-
ring over most of the site with those at depth which contain relatively
higher nutrient levels.  This action should increase long-term pro-
ductivity.  The placement of phosphate bearing clays (as sand-clay mix
fill) at surface levels should also increase long-term productivity of
the site, but the form which this productivity may take is uncertain
because of the uncertainties associated with long-term use of such
areas.

4.1.2  WATER

4.1.2.1  Short-Term
     The mining/processing of phosphate matrix at the Farmland site will
result in the disturbance of existing surface water flow patterns and
quantities.  Flood flows and low flows of Oak Creek, Hickory Creek, and
Troublesome Creek downstream of the site would be altered by land form
changes, stream severance, diversions, and rerouting by artificial
structures.

     The withdrawal of groundwater for matrix processing will create a
core of depression in the potentiometric surface of the Floridan Aqui-
fer, lowering the artesian pressure in nearby wells for the life of the
project.  Withdrawals and pit seepage of water from the Surficial
Aquifer will reduce its baseflow contribution to adjacent streams.

     Discharges of excess water from the recirculating water system will
degrade the quality of the receiving waters (primarily Hickory Creek).
Water discharged from this system is likely to have higher nutrient
levels (e.g., calcium, magnesium) than the receiving waters, and contain
                                   4-2

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increased concentrations of other undesirable constituents (e.g.,
dissolved solids, silica, fluoride, radium-226).

4.1.2.2  Long-Term
     Reclamation plans call for the grading of mined areas to restore
the natural drainage patterns on the site.  It is questionable if this
can, in fact, be achieved without more operational experience with sand-
clay mix reclamation.  The reclaimed surface may have slower percolation
rates than exist at present, resulting in greater runoff and resultant
increased streamflows.  On the other hand, the man-formed surface
contours will likely contain small depressions, etc. (some of which are
planned) where water might collect and evaporate, reducing runoff.  In
any event, the long-term effect will most likely be an alteration in the
streamflow quantity and response time within downstream portions of the
affected drainage basins.

     Reclamation plans also call for the majority of the site to be
utilized as improved pasture.  As such, the vegetative cover will likely
be more sparse than is currently present over most of the area.  This,
combined with the nature of the reclaimed sand-clay surface soils which
will occur over most of the area, will likely result in increased
erosional rates and resultant water quality effects.  Long-term impacts
may also result from the intensive use of such areas by livestock (e.g.,
increased fecal coliform levels).

4.1.3  ECOLOGY

4.1.3.1  Short-Term
     The mining of phosphate matrix at the Farmland site will result in
the destruction of terrestrial and aquatic habitats and loss of many
associated fauna.  It is probable that some indigo snakes  (a threatened
species) will be among those lost  (see Section 7.0 Coordination).  More
mobile species will immigrate to unaffected areas.  Since  the mining
will be a progressive action, occurring over the life of the project,
the indirect impacts  (e.g., overpopulation stress) resulting from
                                    4-3

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emigration of displaced individuals should not be evident.  Faunal
populations in adjacent and unmined areas will tend to stabilize, so
that at the completion of mining they should be similar  to current
levels.  The isolation of some unmined areas (e.g., Oak  Creek Islands)
may result in their decreased use during the life of the project.

4.1.3.2  Long-Term
     Reclamation plans call for the majority of the site to be utilized
for improved pasture and other agricultural uses.  Such  areas will not
provide all of the habitat requirements for most of the  species which
now inhabit the site, thus a long-term loss in the "wildlife" produc-
tivity of these areas will occur.  Reclamation plans also call for the
creation of freshwater marsh and lacustrine habitats in  areas where pine
flatwoods/palmetto range now occurs.  Such reclamation will probably
increase the "wildlife" productivity of these areas.  The lakes created
during the reclamation of the final areas mined will greatly increase
the amount of aquatic habitat present on the site, increasing aquatic
productivity substantially.

4.1.4  SOCIOECONOMICS

4.1.4.1  Short-Term
     The mining/processing of phosphate matrix at the Farmland site will
result in increased employment and income levels in Hardee County and
the seven-county region.  Associated with this employment increase will
be an increase in the population of Hardee County.  This increase will
result in increased demands for housing and services.  Tax revenues
generated by the project will more than pay for the increased services
required to meet existing levels.  Housing demands may not be able to be
met, at least during the initial years of operation.

     Mining will destroy minor archaeological sites present on the
property.  The loss is not considered significant (see Section 7.0
Coordination).
                                   L-L

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     Mining of the Farmland site will also have an impact on aesthetics.
The clearing of existing vegetative cover and post-mining condition of
the land will reduce the aesthetic values of the site during the short-
term.  However, the land features associated with its current aesthetic
value are not considered unique to the site.

4.1.4.2  Long-Term
     The Farmland project will help support long-term economic growth
within Hardee County.  Farmland is not the only phosphate mining company
with Hardee County holdings.  If the Farmland project and other similar
mines are permitted to operate in the county, population levels, income
levels, and tax revenues should increase significantly over present
levels.  It is also probable that such development will bring additional
employment in related industries (e.g., pumping supplies, etc.) and
that industries such as the home building industry will expand.
                                    4-5

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                                                                     5.0
                  IRREVERSIBLE OR IRRETRIEVABLE COMMITMENTS OF RESOURCES
     A discussion of those resources which would be consumed, depleted,
permanently removed, or destroyed are irreversibly altered by the mining
of phosphate at the Farmland site.

5.1  DEPLETION OF MINERAL RESOURCES

    ' The extent of recoverable U.S. phosphate reserve has been estimated
at 2.2 billion metric tons (U.S. General Accounting Office 1979).  World
reserves of phosphate rock are estimated by the U.S. Bureau of Mines to
be about 27 billion metric tons, but may be much larger (e.g., in 1971
the British Sulphur Corp. estimated world reserves of all grades to be
130 billion metric tons).  The estimated current world phosphate rock
production is about 120 million metric tons.  The U.S., USSR, and
Morocco are by far the largest producers of rock, accounting for 41, 26,
and 15 percent of world production, respectively.  Morocco, however, is
the leader in identified reserves with 66.7 percent of the world's
supply.  The U.S. and USSR accounting for only 8.1 and 3.3 percent of
the identified reserves, respectively.

     The Bone Valley formation of central Florida is the source of most
of the U.S. production, accounting for about 75 percent of total pro-
duction (which approached 50 million metric tons in 1978).

     Two projections of U.S. phosphate rock production have been made—
one by the U.S. Bureau of Mines and one by Chase Econometric Associates
(U.S. General Accounting Office 1979).  The Chase forecast indicates
                                   5-1

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that domestic production will increase to 112 million short tons by
2025, but fails to identify the source of these reserves.  The U.S.
Bureau of Mines, on the other hand, predicts that U.S. production will
peak in 1985, and then decline.  Because the U.S. Bureau of Mines has
not identified any future potential reserves, their forecast predicts
that high grade reserves will be virtually exhausted by 2010.

     The U.S. General Accounting Office (1979) has recommended:

          11... that the Secretary of the Interior make a thorough review
     of the Nation's long-range phosphate position, and report to the
     Congress on its future availability, and if appropriate, to suggest
     legislative actions needed to ensure supply.  Such a review should
     be submitted to the Congress by December 1981 and include the
     following:
     1.   A comprehensive assessment of the phosphate reserves of the
          Nation and the world.  To the extent that this is based on
          unverified data, the Secretary should judge the reliability of
          Such data and the need, if any, for Government verification of
          proprietary (source) records.
     2.   A determination of the extent to which noneconomic trade-offs,
          such as environmental needs and other land-use needs, are
          likely to limit future phosphate development.
     3.   A review and evaluation of alternatives to import dependency
          and assessment of their costs.
     4.   A submission from the Department of Agriculture contributing
          to the comprehensive phosphate assessment by estimating future
          needs and possible food production alternatives to being
          dependent on foreign fertilizer sources."
     In March of 1980, then Secretary of the Interior Cecil D. Andrus
responded to the above recommendations.  In his letter (Andrus 1980) he
stated that the Department of Interior's most recent projections were
consistent with the statements in the U.S. General Accounting Office
Report, stating "that the United States will continue to be a net
exporter of phosphate until at least the year 2000".  Since there is no
projected shortage of domestic phosphate, Andrus requested an extension
(to December 1982) for the completion of the report to the Congress.
                                   5-2

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     From the U.S. Bureau of Mines projections, total cumulative U.S.
phosphate production over the next 20 years should be on the order of
1.2 billion tons.  The mining of phosphate matrix at a rate of 2 million
tons of rock per year over the 20-year life of the Farmland mine will
amount to 40 million tons, or about 3 percent of total U.S. production.
While this represents an irreversible and irretrievable loss of re-
serves, data are not available to evaluate this loss with respect to
future domestic needs and availability.

     Additional commitments of resources will occur as a result of the
consumption of oil, gas, electrical power, and various reagents.

5.2  LANDFORM CHANGES

     The mining/processing of phosphate at the Farmland site would
result in an irreversibly altered landform.  Natural soil profiles will
be destroyed and existing vegetation cleared.  In addition, storage of
waste clays will result in the creation of diked disposal areas 35 ft
high.  The removal of matrix in the final years will result in the
formation of lakes where upland areas now occur.  The land use of the
reclaimed site will be mostly for improved pasture, rather than the pine
flatwoods/palmetto range which now predominates.

5.3  COMMITMENT OF WATER RESOURCES

     At a pumping rate of 8.83 mgd, more than 60 billion gallons of
water will be withdrawn from the Floridan Aquifer over the 20-year life
of the mine.

     The disruption of streams during mining, the discharge of excess
water, and the reclamation of the site following mining will have
resultant changes in water quality within their downstream segments.
                                   5-3

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5.4  FISH AND WILDLIFE HABITAT

     The existing fish and wildlife habitat of the Farmland site will be
lost and replaced by a modified habitat.  The onsite habitat most
affected would be ruderal habitat (i.e., rangeland, pasture, and citrus
groves), 2 percent of which will be lost to mining.  However, the
habitat potential of this type is considered to be generally low, except
for the sizeable rangeland areas within Oak Creek Islands which are to
be preserved.

     Thirty-five percent of the existing forest habitat on the site will
also be lost, most of this being hardwood upland forest.  Species
typically occurring in this habitat include the yellow-billed cuckoo,
pileated woodpecker, red-bellied woodpecker, downy woodpecker, blue jay,
tufted titmouse, Carolina wren, white-eyed vireo, gray squirrel, nine-
banded armadillo, and white-tailed deer.  The best forest habitat on the
site occurs within Oak Creek Islands and along the Peace River flood-
plain, areas which are to be preserved.

     Twenty-seven percent of the existing wooded swamp habitat will also
be lost.  This habitat is comprised of bayheads and hardwood swamps
which are often surrounded by areas of pasture or rangeland, thus
providing cover for wildlife which forage in these areas.  Species
frequently observed in this habitat include the white-tailed deer,
raccoon, wild hog, pileated woodpecker, and blue jay.

     Seventy-three percent of the freshwater marsh habitat on the site
will also be lost.  Although the onsite marshes are small and do not
appear to attract large aggregations of wading birds, they do provide
habitat for many wildlife species including the rice rat, cotton rat,
marsh rabbit, otter, wild hog, white-tailed deer, and wood duck.
                                   5-4

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      Farmland's  reclamation plan  is  designed  to  restore much of the
 habitat  lost  through mining.   If  successful,  the net changes in the
 acreage  of  each  of  the  above habitats would be as follows:

                           Ruderal, - 298  acres
                            Forest, + 270  acres
                     Wooded Swamp, - 261  acres
                 Freshwater Marsh, + 54  acres
                             Lakes, + 235  acres

      As  indicated above,  the largest loss will be in ruderal habitats.
 This  loss is  largely due  to the loss of 1757  acres of existing  citrus
 groves.  This will  be replaced with  improved  pasture.   The net  loss of
 261 acres of wooded swamp  habitat represents  the most significant
 acreage  change.  As indicated above, forest habitat will actually
 increase following  reclamation.  Farmland's reclamation plan calls  for
 the planting  (at a  density of about  200 trees/acre)  of mixed forest spe-
 cies.  These will consist  of  2- to 4-inch diameter trees from areas to
 be mined and seedlings  from the Florida Forest Service.   Initially,  the
 vegetative characteristics  of the mixed forest plantings will be that of
 a shrub or herbaceous community.  Assuming that  no  efforts are made to
 control vegetative  development on these planted  areas,  a mature mixed
 forest community should eventually develop on these  areas as a result of
 natural vegetative  succession.  While these areas will provide habitat
 for various species  through the successional period,  the degree to  which
 such areas will be used by  species such as the indigo  snake  (a threat-
 ened species)  remains unknown.

 5.5  AESTHETICS

     If Farmland's reclamation plan is successful,  the  resultant land-
 scape could be a visually acceptable one.   This man-made  landscape would
be entirely different from  that which now occurs.  However,  future
generations are likely to accept the new  landscape as  the characteristic
landscape.
                                   5-5

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     Permitting of the Farmland project will also contribute to the
evolution of the existing environment of western Hardee County to a
semi-industrialized one.  Existing life styles, with their emphasis on
agriculture, are likely to be radically altered as such changes occur.

5.6  HISTORICAL AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL VALUES

     Although no significant historical or archaeological sites have
been found to date on the Farmland site, the disturbance resulting from
mining will destroy any historical and archaeological features which
might be found under more intensive efforts.  Should any significant
sites occur, their destruction would be an irreversible loss to future
educational and scientific interpretation.

5.7  REFERENCES
Andrus, C.D.  1980.  Letter from Secretary of Interior Cecil D. Andrus
     to Representative Jack Brooks, Chairman of the Committee on Govern-
     ment Operations; March 27, 1980.
U.S. General Accounting Office.  1979.  Phosphates:  A Case Study of a
     Valuable, Depleting Mineral in America.  Report by the Comptroller
     General to the Congress, EMD-80-21.
                                   5-6

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                                                                     6.0
       COMPARISON OF PROPOSED ACTIVITY WITH AREAWIDE EIS RECOMMENDATIONS
     The Final Areawide Environmental Impact Statement for the Central
Florida Phosphate Industry published by EPA in November 1978 evaluated
the impact of various alternative scenarios of phosphate mining in
central Florida.  The EPA recommendations represent a scenario of
phosphate development which was determined to be as compatible as
practicable with other desired and intended land uses.  This scenario
provides a decision-making tool for all new source phosphate mines in
central Florida.  The following discussion compares the proposed ac-
tivity to the EPA recommendations for mining and beneficiation.

6.1  MINING AND BENEFICIATION REQUIREMENTS
6.1.1  ELIMINATE THE ROCK-DRYING PROCESSING AT BENEFICIATION PLANTS AND
       TRANSPORT WET ROCK TO CHEMICAL PLANTS
     The proposed Farmland project does not include a rock dryer and
calls for all rock to be transported from the site in a wet condition.

6.1.2  MEET STATE OF FLORIDA AND LOCAL EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS FOR ANY
       DISCHARGES

     Pursuant to Section 401 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act
as amended (33 USC 1251, 1341), the State of Florida issues certifi-
cation to each applicant for a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System (NPDES) permit.
                                    6-1

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     All recent NPDES permits issued by the state for phosphate mining

facilities have been certified subject to the following conditions:


   • The applicant must comply with all applicable requirements of
     Chapter 403, Florida Statutes, and Chapter 17 series, Florida
     Administrative Code (FAC).

   • Issuance of certification does not constitute state certification
     of any future land alteration activities which require other
     Federal permits pursuant to Section 404 of P.L. 92-500, as amended,
     nor does it constitute approval or disapproval of any future land
     alteration activities conducted in waters of the state which
     require separate department permit(s) pursuant to Section 17-4.28,
     FAC.

   • In accordance with Section 17-6.01(2)(a)2a.D., FAC, the following
     effluent limitations apply to all discharges designated as possibly
     containing contaminated runoff, process generated wastewater, or
     mine dewatering discharges from the mining and beneficiation of
     phosphate rock:
Characteristic
TSS
Total P
PH
mg/1
mg/1

Discharge
Limitations
1-Day Max. 30-Day Avg,
25 12
5 3
6.0-9.0 6.0-9.0
Monitoring
Requirements
»
1/wk/ 24-hr.
1/wk/ 24-hr.
Iwk grab
composite
composite

     If the above requirements are met, the discharge from this facility

will comply with Sections 301, 302, and 303 of the Federal Water Pollu-

tion Control Act, as amended.


     This certification must indicate that the terms and conditions of

the NPDES permit will result in compliance with Sections 301, 302, and

303 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act as amended.  The state
may impose as additional requirements applicable state law or regu-

lations related to water quality standards.
                                   6-2

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6.1.3  ELIMINATE CONVENTIONAL ABOVE GROUND SLIME-DISPOSAL AREAS

     The elimination of conventional above ground slime-disposal areas
was recommended by the Areawide EIS.  In order to meet this recommen-
dation, the Areawide EIS encouraged the use of waste clays, or a mixture
of sand tailings and waste clays, in reclamation, while at the same time
it recognized the need for an initial above ground storage area and for
retaining dikes around sand-clay mix areas.

     Farmland's proposal conforms to this recommendation.  Farmland has
committed in their mine plan to use a sand-clay mix in land reclamation
and thereby reduce the need for traditional, separate disposal areas.
The 495-acre initial clay settling area (Area I) planned by Farmland
will receive all clay wastes generated before the sand-clay mix pro-
cedure becomes operational.  Clays stored here will eventually be used
in a special sand-clay mix disposal area.  A second 583-acre area  (Area
II) will remain active throughout the mine life to receive clay wastes
in excess of the sand-clay mix requirements and to serve as a secondary
water clarification and storage area..  This will be the only conven-
tional clay storage area left on the site.  Upon completion of mining,
drainage and drying will be induced to provide for subsidence and  crust
development of this area.  Once the clay has subsided to the desired
level, the exterior retaining dike will be pushed toward and away  from
the settling area to establish a lower grade slope and provide some
coarser textured material for the interior soils.

6.1.4  MEET SOUTHWEST FLORIDA CONSUMPTIVE USE PERMIT REQUIREMENTS

     The Areawide EIS recommended that any new source mine and bene-
ficiation plant meet Southwest Florida Water Management District
(SWFWMD) consumptive use permit requirements.  Farmland is obligated  to
the terms and conditions of the SWFWMD Consumptive Use Permit.   Should
Farmland fail to comply with all of the conditions set forth in  the
permit, then the permit shall automatically become null and void.
                                    6-3

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6.1.5  PROVIDE STORAGE THAT ALLOWS RECIRCULATION OF WATER RECOVERED FROM
       SLIMES
     The Areawlde EIS recommended that the new source mine provide
storage that allows recirculation of water recovered from slimes.  The
water recirculation system for Farmland's proposed mining and bene-
ficiation facility provides for containment and for approximately 90
percent water recirculation so that a discharge should be required only
during periods of heavy rainfall.

6.1.6  USE OF CONNECTOR WELLS

     Another Areawide EIS recommendation was for the use of connector
wells.  Farmland does not propose to use connector wells to recharge the
Floridan Aquifer with groundwater from the Surficial Aquifer, nor was
the use of connector wells made a condition of Farmland's SWFWMD Con-
sumptive Use Permit.  High gross alpha radiation levels were found in
Surficial Aquifer water at the site.
6.1.7  ADDRESS PROPOSED REGULATIONS REGARDING RADIATION LEVELS TO BE
       PUBLISHED BY EPA AND PROJECTED BY MINING AND RECLAMATION PLANS
       FOR NEW SOURCE MINES BASED ON TEST BORINGS OF MATERIAL TO BE
       ENCOUNTERED AND DEVELOP A RECLAMATION PLAN THAT CONSIDERS
       RADIATION OF SPOIL MATERIAL AND REDUCES AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE THE
       AMOUNT OF RADIONUCLIDE-BEARING MATERIAL LEFT WITHIN 3-4 FEET OF
       THE SURFACE
     Should buildings (such as residences) be located on the reclaimed
Farmland site, indoor radon and radon progeny concentrations would be
higher in these structures than outdoors.  For any homes that are
constructed, the predicted indoor radon progeny (WL) could range from
0.011 over reclaimed sand tailings to 0.018 WL over reclaimed clay
settling areas.  The value for homes over sand-clay mix areas would be
0.013 WL.  Slab-on-grade structures in Polk County over undisturbed
lands have WLs ranging from 0.001 to 0.010, with a geometric mean of
0.003.  Two standards for WL in existing homes have been proposed:  (1)
a 0.029 WL total exposure including background (Florida Department of
                                  6-4

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Health and Rehabilitation Services 1978) and (2) a 0.020 WL total
exposure including background (EPA 1979a).   The reclamation processes
and undeveloped lands were not addressed in detail in EPA's 1979 recom-
mendations to the Governor of Florida.  However, the following specific
guidance was provided by EPA (1979b) for new homes on any reclaimed,
debris, and unmined lands which contain phosphate resources:
          "IV.  Development sites for new residences should be selected
     and prepared, and the residences so designed and sited, that the
     annual average indoor ...." Working Levels " ...do not exceed  ....
     background levels...."
     If the final guidance for reclaimed lands is similar to the recom-
mendation quoted above, then the upper limit of predicted WLs in slab-
on-grade homes will be approximately 0.009 WL (normal background of
0.004 WL plus the uncertainty of 0.005 WL).  Overall, the reclaimed
Farmland site will slightly exceed this upper range.  However, Farm-
land's reclamation plan does not include'plans for residential devel-
opment.  If residences were planned they could not be slab-on-grade;
they would have to be designed so as to prohibit the accumulation of
radon progeny to levels above the .009 WL limit.
6.1.8  MEET COUNTY AND STATE RECLAMATION REQUIREMENTS AND INCLUDE AN
       INVENTORY OF TYPES OF WILDLIFE HABITAT IN THE AREA TO BE MINED
       AND THE AREA IMMEDIATELY SURROUNDING IT
     On December 4, 1980, Hardee County issued Farmland a Development
Order for their project.  A Master Plan has also been filed pursuant to
the Hardee County Mining and Earthmoving Ordinance.

     An inventory of the types of wildlife habitat in the area to be
mined by Farmland and in the immediate surrounding area was made and is
included in the EIS.
                                   6-5

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6.1.9  THE MINING AND RECLAMATION PLAN WILL TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE
       PROTECTION AND RESTORATION OF HABITAT so SELECTED SPECIES OF
       WILDLIFE WILL BE ADEQUATELY PROTECTED DURING MINING AND
       RECLAMATION
     Farmland's mining plan calls for areas to be cleared only as the

time of mining approaches.  On the average, only about 20 acres should

be cleared ahead of the mining operation.  Clearing should occur at a

rate of about 250 acres per year.


     Farmland's proposed reclamation plan calls for reclamation of the

mine site to be undertaken as mining proceeds, so that reclamation of

the areas mined initially will be completed during the 9th year of

operation and all reclamation will be completed 30 years after mining

begins.  Included in the Farmland plan is the restoration of some mined

areas as wildlife habitat.  The net effect of this plan on the extent of

the general vegetation associations which currently exist on the site

will be as follows:
Vegetation   Current Disturbed Preserved Reclaimed
Association  Acreage  Acreage   Acreage   Acreage

Forested
 Uplands
Freshwater
 Swamp
Freshwater
 Marsh
Pine Flatwoods/
 Palmetto
Citrus
Improved
 Pasture/
 Cropland
Lakes
                                    A Acreage
                          Post-Reel.  Current:
                           Acreage  Post-Reel.
790
1205
392
„/
s/
ge 937
1917
2569
0
280
320
285
583
1757
2055
0
510
885
107
354
160
514
0
550
59
339
0
*
4097
235
1060
944
446
354
160
4611
235
+270 (+34%)
-221 (-22%)
+54 (+14%)
-583 (-62%)
-1757 (-92%)
+204 2 (+7 9%)
+235
                7810
5280
2530
5280
7810
*0nly a small citrus planting is planned on reclaimed land.
                                   6-6

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     As indicated above, the proposed reclamation plan will greatly
increase the acreage on the mine site devoted to pasture and crops.  The
acreage occupied by forested uplands, freshwater marsh, and lakes will
also increase.  Most of the reclaimed forested upland acreage (344 of
550 acres) will be in the form of strip plantings between pasture and
cropland areas.  Only native species will be used in the plantings.

     Among the species which will be adversely affected by the project,
is one (the indigo snake) considered threatened by the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service.  In order to assess the impact which the project will
have on this species population, consultation procedures were imple-
mented with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (see Section 7.0 Coor-
dination).  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provided EPA with a
Biological Opinion regarding the effects of the project on endangered
and threatened species, stating that the population should not be
adversely affected by the proposed Farmland project.
6.1.10  PROTECT OR RESTORE WETLANDS UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE CORPS
        OF ENGINEERS, SECTION 404, FEDERAL WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ACT,
        PURSUANT TO 404(b) GUIDELINES (40 CFR 230)
     No specific boundaries of wetland areas have been officially
identified by the Corps of Engineers.  The following three categories of
wetlands were, however, established by EPA in the Central Florida
Phosphate EIS:
     Category 1:  Wetlands to be protected (not mined).
     Category 2;  Wetlands which may be mined but must be restored as
                  wetlands capable of performing useful wetland
                  functions.
     Category 3:
Wetlands which can be mined without restoration as
wetlands.
                                   6-7

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     Wetlands on the Farmland site were categorized following EPA
criteria (EPA 1978; 1979).  Wetland areas on the property  (see Figure
3-9) were classified as either Category 1, 2, or 3 as follows:
   • Category 1 Wetlands are those wetlands on the site which occur
     within the 25-year floodplain of the Peace River or its tributaries
     upstream to the point of 5 cfs mean annual flow, or wetlands
     considered to be significant wildlife habitat.
   • Category 2 Wetlands are those wetlands which occur in the 25-year
     floodplain upstream of the point of 5 cfs and isolated wetlands in
     excess of 5 acres in size.
   • Category 3 Wetlands are isolated wetlands 5 acres or less.
     The Category 1 wetlands on the site should include, but are not
limited to, those wetlands covered by the Corps' Section 404 jurisdiction.

     Farmland's proposed mine plan will result in the loss and pro-
tection of the following acreages of each of the above wetland categories:
Acres
Lost
0
514
91
Acres
Protected
710
264
18
Percent
Protected
100
34
16
       Category 1
       Category 2
       Category 3
            Totals          605       992          62

     Farmland's reclamation plan will restore 398 acres of wetlands on
the mined site.  This amounts to 77 percent of the Category 2 wetlands
on the site.
                                   6-8

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6.1.11  MAKE EFFORTS TO PRESERVE ARCHAEOLOGICAL OR HISTORICAL SITES
        THROUGH AVOIDANCE OR MITIGATE BY SALVAGE EXCAVATION PERFORMED BY
        A PROFESSIONALLY COMPETENT AGENCY ANY SITES DEEMED SIGNIFICANT
        BY THE FLORIDA DIVISION OF ARCHIVES, HISTORY, AND RECORDS
        MANAGEMENT.  IF MITIGATION IS CHOSEN, THE RESULTING REPORT
        SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THAT STATE AGENCY FOR EXAMINATION AND
        COMMENT
     An archaeological/historical survey of the Farmland site was

conducted and the results were submitted to the Florida Division of
Archives, History, and Records Management.  It was the opinion of this
agency that the archaeological and historical resources of the site did
not merit any further mitigative or preservation measures.


6.2  REFERENCES

Florida Department of Rehabilitation Services.  1978.  Study of Radon
     Daughter Concentrations in Structures in Polk and Hillsborough
     Counties.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  1978.  Final Environmental Impact
     Statement for the Central Florida Phosphate Industry.  EPA 904/9-
     78-026a.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  1979a.  Draft Environmental
     Impact Statement, Estech General Chemicals Corporation, Duette
     Mine.  EPA 904/9-79-044.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  1979b.  Indoor Radiation Exposure
     due to Radium-226 in Florida Phosphate Lands.  Office of Radiation
     Programs, Washington, D.C.  EPA 520//I-78-013.
                                    6-9

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                                                                     7.0

                                                            COORDINATION
7.1  DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT COORDINATION LIST


     The following Federal, state and local agencies, public officials,

organizations, and interest groups have been requested to comment on

this impact statement.
                            Federal Agencies
Bureau of Outdoor Recreation
Bureau of Mines
Coast Guard
Corps of Engineers
Council on Environmental Quality
Department of Agriculture
Department of Commerce
Department of Education
Department of the Interior
Department of Transportation
Department of Health and Human
  Services
Department of Housing and Urban
  Development
Department of Energy
Federal Highway Administration
Fish and Wildlife Service
Food and Drug Administration
Forest Service
Geological Survey
National Park Service
Economic Development Administration
Soil Conservation Service
Public Health Service
                           Members of Congress
Honorable Lawton Chiles
United States Senate
Honorable Sam Gibbons
U.S. House of Representatives
Honorable L.A. Bafalis
U.S. House of Representatives
Honorable Paula Hawkins
United States Senate
Honorable Andy P. Ireland
U.S. House of Representatives
                                   7-1

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                                  State
Honorable D. Robert Graham
  Governor
Coastal Coordinating Council
Department of Natural Resources
Department of Agriculture and
  Consumer Services
Department of Community Affairs
Geological Survey
Game and Freshwater Fish
  Commission
Department of Administration
Department of State
Environmental Regulation Committee
Department of Commerce
Department of Health and
  Rehabilitative Services
Bureau of Intergovernmental
  Relations
Department of Environmental
  Regulation
Department of Transportation
                           Local and Regional
Polk County Commission
Manatee County Commission
DeSoto County Commission
Hardee County Commission
Hardee County Building & Zoning
  Department
Tampa Bay Regional Planning
  Council
Central Florida Regional
  Planning Council
Southwest Florida Water
  Management District
The Fertilizer Institute
Florida Phosphate Council
Florida Audubon Society
Florida Sierra Club
Manasota 88
                             Interest Groups
Florida Defenders of the
  Environment
Izaak Walton League of
  America
Florida Wildlife Federation
7.2  PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND SCOPING


     On July 13, 1979, EPA published a Notice of Intent to prepare an

EIS for the proposed project which at that time included plans for a

chemical fertilizer plant.  A scoping meeting for the project was held

by EPA in Mulberry, Florida on August 1, 1979.  As a result of these

efforts to foster public participation, comments regarding the Farmland

project were received by EPA during the period leading to the publi-

cation of the Draft EIS.


     Most of the comments made at the project scoping meeting and in the
correspondence which followed were concerned with the potential impacts

of the proposed chemical plant.  However, in December 1980, Hardee
                                   7-2

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County denied local approval (Development Order and zoning change) for
the chemical plant portion of the project.  As a result, Farmland
revised its proposed project to include only the mining and benefici-
ation of phosphate rock at the site (Farmland's proposed action des-
cribed in this EIS).  Accordingly, in February 1981 EPA notified all the
participants in the scoping process of this reduction in the scope of
the EIS.

7.3  CONSULTATION WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR

     EPA has performed all consultation procedures in accordance with
the requirements of Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as
amended.  On May 9, 1980, EPA provided the U.S. Department of Interior,
Fish and Wildlife Service (USF&WS) with a description of the proposed
Farmland project and requested that a list of endangered and/or threat-
ened species which may occur in the project's area of influence be
provided to EPA (EPA 1980a).  On May 19, 1980, the USF&WS commented that
three (3) endangered species and two (2) threatened species may be
present in the area (USF&WS 1980a).  These are as follows:

          Endangered                    Threatened
          Bald eagle                    American alligator
          Red-cockaded woodpecker       Eastern indigo  snake
          Arctic peregrine falcon

     On July 16, 1980, EPA provided USF&WS with a biological assessment
of the impacts of the Farmland project on endangered and/or threatened
species required by Section 7(c) of the Endangered Species Act  (EPA
1980b).  EPA indicated that after their review of the assessment, they
determined that the proposed Federal action  (i.e., issuance of a NPDES
permit for the proposed project), may effect certain species and offi-
cially requested that Section 7 consultation procedures be implemented.
On August 19, 1980 USF&WS responded to this request by  providing a
Biological Opinion regarding the effects of Farmland's  proposed project
on endangered and threatened species  (USF&WS 1980b).
                                    7-3

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     USF&WS stated that, in their opinion, the proposed project is not
likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any of the species
included in their May 19, 1980 listing or adversely modify habitat
essential for their existence.  USF&WS did, however, make recommen-
dations to reduce the probability of outright destruction of individuals
of one species listed—the eastern indigo snake.  These are presented as
mitigation measures in Section 2.8.6.  It was also requested that
Farmland contact the Endangered Species Coordinator for the Florida Game
and Freshwater Fish Commission regarding the relocation of indigo
snakes encountered on the property and that Farmland maintain records
and report to USF&WS the number of indigo snakes relocated and where,
and the number of mortalities incurred in the relocation program.

7.4  CONSULTATION WITH THE STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER

     EPA has carried out all consultation requirements established by
Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966.  On July
15, 1980, EPA provided the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO),
Florida Department of State, Division of Archives, History and Records
Management, with a description of the proposed Farmland project and a
Cultural Resources Assessment of the Farmland site (EPA 1980c) pursuant
to the procedures for consultation and comment promulgated by the
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation in 36CFR Part 800.  On October
14, 1980, the SHPO replied to the EPA request by stating that it is
unlikely that the Farmland project will affect any archaeological or
historic sites listed or eligible for listing in the National Register
of Historic Places, or otherwise of national, state, or local signif-
icance (Percy 1980).

7.5  COORDINATION WITH THE U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS

     Certain wetlands on the Farmland site fall under the jurisdiction
of the Corps of Engineers (Corps), and the execution of the proposed
project in those areas will require a Section 404 (Federal Water Pollu-
tion Control Act) permit from the Corps.  In view of the Corps'
                                   7-4

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responsibility in this area, EPA has coordinated closely with them in
the preparation of this EIS.  In July 1979, EPA, the Corps, and Farmland
executed a joint Memorandum of Understanding which established EPA as
the lead agency and the Corps as a cooperating agency in preparing the
EIS.  The Corps was subsequently provided the opportunity for review and
comment on the Plan of Study and on all work performed by the third
party consultant including the Preliminary Draft EIS.


7.6  REFERENCES
Percy, G.W.  1980.  Letter from George W. Percy, Deputy State Historic
     Preservation Officer, to A. Jean Tolman, U.S. EPA Region IV.
     October 14, 1980.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  1980a.  Letter from A. Jean
     Tolman, U.S. EPA Region IV, to Don Palmer U.S. Fish and Wildlife
     Service, Jacksonville, FL.  May 9, 1980.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  1980b.  Letter from A. Jean
     Tolman, U.S. EPA Region IV, to David Peterson U.S. Fish and
     Wildlife Service, Jacksonville, FL.  July 16, 1980.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  1980c.  Letter from A. Jean
     Tolman, U.S. EPA Region IV, to L. Ross Morell Florida Department
     of State, Tallahassee.  July 15, 1980.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  1980a.  Letter from Donald J. Hankla,
     U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Jacksonville, FL, to A. Jean Tolman,
     U.S. EPA Region IV.  May 19, 1980.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  1980b.  Letter from Clayton J. Lankford,
     U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Atlanta, to A. Jean Tolman, U.S.
     EPA Region IV, August 19, 1980.
                                   7-5

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                                                                     8.0

                                                       LIST OF PREPARERS
     The Draft EIS for the Farmland project was prepared for EPA by

Woodward-Clyde Consultants (WCC) of Clifton, New Jersey using the third

party EIS preparation method.  The names and qualifications of the WCC

staff responsible for the preparation of this EIS are presented in Table

8-1.  An independent evaluation of all information presented in the EIS
was also performed by the following EPA officials.


     Name                            Resporis ibili ty

     Robert B. Howard                Chief, EIS Preparation Section
     A. Jean Tolman                  EIS Project Officer
     Lionel Alexander III            NPDES Permit Coordinator
     D. Brian Mitchell               Air Quality
     Doyle Brittain                  Air Quality
     James E. Orban                  Noise
     A. Eugene Coker                 Geology and Groundwater
     H. Richard Payne                Radiation
     Curtis F. Fehn                  Groundwater
     Thomas R. Cavinder              Surface Water  .
     John T. Marlar                  Surface Water
     William L. Kruczynski           Biology and Ecology
     Delbert B. Hicks                Biology and Ecology


     For information on the material presented in this section, contact

A. Jean Tolman at (404)881-7458 (FTS/257-7458).
                                   8-1

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 Table 8-1.  NAMES, QUALIFICATIONS, AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF PERSONS WHO WERE  PRIMARILY
             RESPONSIBLE FOR PREPARING THE FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC. DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL
             IMPACT STATEMENT.
Name
Richard A. Millet
Raymond L. Hinkle
Perry H. Fontana
Donald R. Ganser
Ralph E. Luebs
Leland R. Bunney
John C. Halepaska
Gary G. Kaufman
Thomas G. Campbell
Wayne F. MacCallum
Hilton G. Carter
Robert F. Brewer
Jerry J. Cape
Qualifications

M.S. Civil Engineering; Principal and Vice
President, Woodward-Clyde Consultants, 17
years experience including the direction of
interdiscipline studies for phosphate mining
projects and power plant siting projects.

M.S. Wildlife Management; Project Scientist,
Woodward-Clyde Consultants; 9 years experience
in the preparation of environmental impact
statements for a variety of projects including
phosphate mines.

M.S. Meteorology; Staff Scientist, Woodward-
Clyde Consultants; 4 years experience in
environmental studies involving meteorology
and air quality including air quality impact
assessments for phosphate rock processing
operations.

B.S. Geology; Project Geologist, Woodward-
Clyde Consultants; 10 years experience in
conducting engineering geologic investigations
and groundwater studies for projects including
phosphate mining operations.

Ph.D. Soil Fertility; Agronomist, Woodward-
Clyde Consultants; 33 years experience in-
cluding the planning of and interpretation of
results from soils investigations for evalu-
ating the impact of mining on the environment
and for reclamation of surface mined land.

M.S. Physical Chemistry; Radiological Chemist,
Woodward-Clyde Consultants; 31 years experience
in radiochemistry, nuclear chemistry, ion
exchange, trace element analyses, and the evalu-
ation of environmental hazards of radioactive
materials.

Ph.D. Geoscience; Senior Hydrologist, Woodward-
Clyde Consultants; 18 years experience in the
study of various phases of groundwater hydrol-
ogy including the theory and control of seep-
age from earth tailings dams, earth water
retention dams, and gypsum fields at phosphate
fertilizer plants.

M.S. Environmental Engineering; Senior Staff
Engineer, Woodward-Clyde Consultants; 9 years
experience including the evaluation of poten-
tial water quality effects of solid and
hazardous waste disposal.

M.S. Marine Sciences; Staff Scientist, Woodward- Aquatic Ecology
Clyde Consultants; 6 years experience in the
collection and analysis of data from aquatic
environments as well as impact analysis.
                                                                      Responsibility
                                                                      Project Sponsor
                                                                      Project Manager
                                                                      Air Quality, Meteorology, and
                                                                        Noise
                                                                      Geology
                                                                      Soils
                                                                      Radiation
Hydrology
                                                                      Water Quality
H.S. Wildlife Management; Senior Project
Scientist, Woodward-Clyde Consultants; 9
years experience in the collection and
analysis of data from terrestrial environ-
ments and impact analyses for a variety of
projects.

M.C.R.P. City and Regional Planning; Staff
Scientist, Woodward-Clyde Consultants; 3 years
experience in evaluating socioeconomics impacts
for both large and small scale industrial
developments.

Ph.D. Horticulture and Soil Chemistry; Asso-
ciate Horticulturist at the University of
California with 21 years experience as a. con-
sultant in the area of air pollution effects
on agricultural crops, including citrus.

B.S. Mining Engineering; Consulting Engineer
(P.E.) with 18 years experience in minerals
development projects from mining prospect
data evaluations through conceptual planning,
construction, and start-up.
Terrestrial Ecology
                                                                      Socioeconomics
                                                                      Citrus
Alternatives and Mine Plan
  Evaluation
                                           8-2

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 9.0  INDEX

Air Quality, 2-103, 3-2, 3-5, 3-9  thru  3-13,  4-1

Alternatives
     Environmentally Preferrable,  2-100
     EPA's Preferred, 2-100
     Matrix Processing, 2-45, 3-11, 3-35,  3-58, 3-78,  3-96
     Matrix Transport, 2-36, 3-10, 3-58,  3-78,  3-96
     Mining, 2-31, 3-9, 3-20, 3-33, 3-56,  3-71, 3-93,  3-111
     No Action, 2-96, 3-9, 3-20, 3-33,  3-55,  3-71, 3-93, 3-111,  3-137
     Process Water Source, 2-61, 3-60,  3-&2,  3-98, 3-124
     Reclamation, 2-90, 3-12, 3-24, 3-40,  3-64, 3-88,  3-99, 3-124
     Waste Sand and Clay Disposal, 2-57,  3-21,  3-38, 3-61, 3-79, 3-97,
          3-122
     Water Management Plan, 2-65,  3-64, 3-83, 3-98

Aquatic Ecology, 2-95, 2-103, 3-91 thru 3-101,  4-3, 5-4

Aquifers
     Florldan, 3-43, 3-48, 3-50 thru 3-52,  3-54 thru 3-56, 3-58  thru
          3-61, 3-64
     Secondary Artesian, 3-43, 3-44, 3-47  thru  3-49, 3-52, 3-54, 3-55
     Surficial, 3-43 thru 3-47, 3-52, 3-55  thru 3-58,  3-60 thru  3-65,
          3-116, 3-122

Creeks
     Hickory, 2-10, 2-15, 3-66 thru 3-76,  3-80, 3-82 thru 3-84,  3-91,
          3-93, 3-96, 3-98 thru 3-100,  3-116
     Oak, 2-10, 2-15, 3-66 thru 3-74, 3-76, 3-77, 3-80, 3-82  thru
          3-84, 3-91, 3-94, 3-96,  3-98, 3-100,  3-126
     Troublesome, 3-66 thru 3-71,  3-73  thru 3-75, 3-116

Dikes, 2-48, 2-49, 2-51

Dike Failure, 3-80, 3-97, 3-123

Discharge, 2-10 thru 2-16, 2-99, 2-100

Endangered and Threatened Species, 3-92,  3-105, 3-109, 3-119, 4-3,
     5-5, 7-4

Farmland's Proposed Action
     Matrix Processing, 2-3, 2-37, 3-11,  3-35,  3-58, 3-78, 3-96
     Matrix Transport, 2-3, 2-32,  3-10, 3-57, 3-78, 3-96
     Mining, 2-1, 2-21. 3-9. 3-20, 3-34,  3-56,  3-71, 3-93, 3-111
     Mitigation Measures, 2-16, 2-20, 2-21
     Process Water Source, 2-10, 2-58,  3-60,  3-82, 3-98, 3-124
     Reclamation, 2-16, 2-65, 3-12, 3-24,  3-40, 3-64,  3-88, 3-99,
          3-124
     Waste Sand and Clay Disposal, 2-8, 2-46, 3-21, 3-38, 3-61,  3-79,
          3-97, 3-122
     Water Management Plan, 2-10,  2-62, 3-64, 3-83, 3-98

Geology, 2-91, 2-103, 3-13, 3-14,  3-20

Groundwater
     Quality, 2-93, 2-103, 3-52 thru 3-65
     Quantity, 2-92, 2-103, 3-51,  3-55  thru 3-65
Lakes, 3-88, 3-100, 3-101, 3-126

Matrix Processing
     Conventional, 2-37,  3-11, 3-35, 3-58, 3-78, 3-96
     Dry, 2-43, 3-12, 3-37,  3-60, 3-79, 3-97

Matrix Transport
     Conveyor, 2-31, 2-34, 3-11, 3-57, 3-78, 3-96
     Slurry, 2-32, 3-10,  3-57, 3-78, 3-96
     Truck, 2-36, 3-11,  3-58, 3-78, 3-96

Meteorology, 3-2 thru 3-5

Mining
     Bucketvheel, 2-29,  3-10, 3-21, 3-35, 3-57, 3-78, 3-95, 3-122
     Dragline, 2-22, 3-9, 3-20, 3-33, 3-56, 3-71, 3-93, 3-111
     Dredge, 2-26, 3-10,  3-21, 3-35, 3-56, 3-79, 3-95, 3-122

Noise, 2-103, 3-7, 3-9 thru  3-13

Oak Creek Islands, 2-3

Peace River, 3-66, 3-67,  3-69 thru 3-71, 3-91

Preserved Areas, 2-3, 2-5

Process Water Sources
     Groundvater Withdraval, 2-58, 3-60, 3-82, 3-98, 3-124
     Surface Water Impoundment, 2-60, 3-60, 3-82, 3-98, 3-124

Radiation, 2-91, 2-103,  3-26 thru 3-43

Reclamation Plan
     Conventional, 2-89,  3-12, 3-25, 3-43, 3-65, 3-90, 3-101, 3-124
     Farmland's, 2-65, 3-12, 3-24, 3-40, 3-64, 3-88, 3-99, 3-124
     Natural Mine Cut, 2-90, 3-13, 3-25, 3-43, 3-65, 3-90, 3-101,
          3-128

Socioeconomics, 2-95, 2-103, 3-128 thru 3-145, 4-4, 5-6, 6-9

Soils, 2-103, 3-14 thru  3-25

Surface Water
     Quality, 2-93, 2-103, 3-67 thru 3-90, 4-2, 5-3
     Quantity, 2-92, 2-103,  3-66, 3-71 thru 3-90, 4-27, 5-3

Terrestrial Ecology
     Vegetation, 2-93, 2-103, 3-102, 3-111 thru 3-128
     Wildlife, 2-93, 2-103,  3-102 thru 3-105,  3-111 thru 3-128

Waste Sand and Clay Disposal
     Conventional, 2-55,  3-23, 3-38, 3-62, 3-81, 3-97, 3-123
     Discharge to Surface Waters, 2-64, 3-64,  3-83, 3-98

Water Management Plan
     Connector Wells, 2-64,  3-64, 3-88, 3-99
     Discharge to Surface Waters, 2-64, 3-64,  3-83, 3-98
                                                                                Wetlands,  3-104,  3-105,  3-114 thru 3-116,  3-126

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                               APPENDIX A
DRAFT NPDES PERMIT FOR THE FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC. MINE PROJECT
                        HARDEE COUNTY, FLORIDA

-------
                                                   Permit No.   FL0037915
        UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

                               REGION IV

                           343 COURTUANO STREET
                           ATLANTA. GEORGIA J0345
                AUTHORIZATION TO DISCHARGE UNDER THE
          NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM
   In compliance with the provisions of the Clean Water Act, as amended
(33 U.S.C.  1251  et.  seq; the "Act"),

    Farmland Industries
    P. 0. Box 441
    Mulberry, Florida  33860
is authorized to  discharge from a facility located at

    about 27° 27' 54" - Latitude                     f-
          81° 53  06  - Longitude                    •
    Hardee County, Florida                          j
to receiving waters named

    DSN 001 - Hickory Creek
    DSM 002 - Oak Creek


in accordance with effluent limitations, monitoring requirements  and
other conditions set forth in Parts I, II, and III hereof.   The permit
consists of this cover sheet, Part I	pages(s), Part II	page(s)
and Part III 	page(s).
   This permit shall become effective on

   This permit and the authorization to discharge shall expire  at
   midnight,
  Date Signed                                     Howard D. Zeller
                                                 Acting Director
                                                 Enforcement Division

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A. EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS


   During the period beginning on  the effective date of this permit and lasting

   the permittee is authorized to discharge from outfall(s) serial number(s) 001 Clearwater


   Such discharges shall be limited and monitored by the permittee as specified below:


   Effluent Characteristic                       Discharge Limitations
                                                   through  the term of this  permit,

                                                   Pond to Hickory Creek.
    Flow-m3/Day (MGD)


    Total  Suspended Solids


    Biochemical Oxygen
     Demand (5-day)


    Specific Conductance
    (mhos/cm @

    Radium*
    kg/day (Ibs/day)


Daily Avg      Daily Max


 1.24            ~
                                                          Other Units (Specify)


                                                        Daily Avg      Daily Max
^^
30 mg/1
2 mg/1
550
__M

60 mg/1
3 mg/1
1100
__
Continuous
I/week
I/week
I/week
I/week
                                                                                  Monitoring Requirements


                                                                                Measurement     Sample
                                                                                 Frequency        Type
                                                                              (during discharge)

                                                                                                  Recorder


                                                                                                  24-hr, composite



                                                                                                  24-hr, composite


                                                                                                  24-hr, composite


                                                                                                  24-hr, composite
*Ccrribined Radium 226 & 228




 The pH shall not be less than   6.0  standard units nor greater than   8.5  standard units and shall be monitored

  onceAreek during discharge with a  grab sample.

 There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam in other than trace amounts.
    Samples taken in compliance with the monitoring requirements specified above shall he taken at the following h/rati
    nearest  accessible point after  final treatment  but  prior to actual discharge or mixing with

    the receiving  waters.
                                                                                  3 CO
                                                                                  -ID
                                                                                     pj
                                                                                                                     TO
                                                                                                                     >
                                                                                                                     3D
                                                                                                              Ln

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A. EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS

   During the period beginning on  the effective date  of this permit  and lasting through the term of  this permit,
   the permittee is authorized to discharge from outfall(s) serial number(s) 002 Reclammation Area to Oak  Creek

   Such discharges shall be limited and monitored by the permittee as specified below:
   Effluent Characteristic
                            Daily Avg

                              2.51
            Discharge Limitations                     Monitoring Requirements
kg/diy (Ibs/day)            OlKeir Units (Specify)
                                                  Measurement     Sample
         Daily Max     Daily Avg      Daily Max      Frequency        Type
                                               (during discharge)
—
30 mg/1
2 mg/1
550
spci/1
—
60 mg/1
3 mg/1
1100
lOpci/1
Continous
I/week
I/week
I/week
I/month
                                                                  Recorder


                                                                  24-hr, composite


                                                                  24-hr, composite


                                                                  24-hr. composite

                                                                  24-hr, composite
Flow-m3/Day (MGD)

Total Suspended
   Solids

Biochemical Oxygen
   Demand  (BODs)(5-day)

Specific Conductance
 (mhos/cm @ 25OC)

Radium

*Combined Radium  226 & 228

The pH shall not be less than 6.0   standard units nor greater than 8.5   standard units and shall be monitored
 once/Week during  discharge with a grab sample.

There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam in other than trace amounts.
                                                                                                           •u
Samples taken in compliance with the monitoring requirements specified above shall he taken nt the following loi-.»tion(s):      ^
nearest  accessible point after  final treatment but prior  to actual discharge or mixing with           gi
the receiving waters.                                                                                     3

                                                                                                           to
                                                                                                           01

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     The flow in Hickory Creek must be at least 1.8 times the discharge flow to the creek.

     The flow in Oak Creek must be at least 1.6 times the discharge flow to the creek.

     Any overflow from facilities designed, constructed, and maintained to contain or treat the volume
     of wastewater which would result from a 10-year, 24-hour precipitation event shall not be subject
     to the suspended solids effluent limitation or the pH limitations listed on the preceding page.
     Monitoring and reporting shall be required for all the parameters including TSS and pH.

     The effluent limits and any additional requirements specified in the attached certification
     supersede any less stringent effluent limits listed above.   During any time period in  which more
     stringent state certification effluent limits  are stayed or inoperable, the effluent limits
     listed above shall be in effect and fully enforceable.


2.   DEFINITIONS

     The term "10-year, 24-hour precipitation event" shall mean  the maximum 24-hour precipitation
     event with a probable re-occurrence interval of once in 10  years.  This information is available
     in "Weather Bureau Technical Paper No. 40, May 1961 and may be obtained from the Environmental
     Data Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S.  Department of Commerce.

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                                                             PARTI
                                                                      1-3
                                                             Pet mil NO.   FL0037195
B. SCHEDULE OF COMPLIANCE
   1. The  permittee  shall  achieve  compliance with the effluent  limitation*  specified for
      discharges in accordance with the following schedule:

      a.   Permittee shall  comply with the effluent limitations  by
           the effective date of the permit.

      b.   This permit shall be modified* or alternatively, revoked
           and reissued, to comply with any applicable effluent
           standard or limitation Issued or approved under sections
           301 (b) (2) (C).  (D),  (P). and(F).304(b)(2). and 307 (a) (2)  of the
           Clean Water Act, if  the effluent standard or limitation
           •o issued or approved:

             (1)  Contains  different conditions  or is
                  otherwise more stringent than  any
                  effluent  limitation in the permit; or
             (2)  Controls  any  pollutant not Halted in the permit.

           The permit as modified  or reissued under this paragraph
           •hall also contain any  other requirements of the Act
           then applicable.
   2.  No later than 14 calendar days  following a date identified in the above schedule of
      compliance, the  permittee shall submit either a report of progress or, in the case of
      specific actions being required by identified dates, a written notice of compliance or
      noncompliance. In the latter case, the notice shall include the cause of noncompliance,
      any remedial  actions  taken, and  the  probability  of meeting the next scheduled
      requirement

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                                                           Part II

                                                          Page II-l
A.  MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS

    1.   Discharge Violations

         All discharges authorized herein  shall be consistent with the terms
         and conditions of this  permit.  The discharge of any pollutant more
         frequently than,  or at  a level in excess of, that identified and
         authorized by this permit constitutes a violation of the terms and
         conditions of this permit.  Such  a violation may result in the
         imposition of civil and/or criminal penalties as provided in Section
         309 of the Act.


    2.   Change in Discharge

        Any anticipated facility expansions,  production increases, or process
        modifications which vill result  in new,  different, or increased
        discharges of pollutants must be reported by submission of a new
        NPDES  application or,  if such changes will not violate the effluent
        limitations specified  in this permit, by notice to the permit issuing
        authority of such changes.   Following such notice, the permit may be
        modified  to specify and limit any pollutants not previously limited.
   3.   Noncompliance Notification

        a.  Instances of noncompliance involving toxic or hazardous pollutants
            should be reported as outlined in Condition 3c.  All other instances
            of noncompliance should be reported as described in Condition 3b.

        b.  If for any reason, the permittee does not comply with or vill be
            unable to comply with any discharge limitation specified in the
            permit, the permittee shall provide the Permit Issuing Authority
            with the following information at the time when the next Discharge
            Monitoring Report is submitted.

            (1)  A description of the discharge and causa of noncompliance;
            (2)  The period of noncompliance, including exact dates and times
                 and/or anticipated time when the discharge will return to
                 compliance; and
            (3)  Steps taken to reduce, eliminate, and prevent recurrence of
                 the noncomplying discharge.

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                                                     Part  II

                                                    Page II-2
     c.  Toxic or hazardous discharges as defined below shall  be reported
         by telephone within 24 hours after permittee becomes  aware of  the
         circumstances and followed up with information in writing as
         set forth in Condition 3b. within 5 days, unless this requirement
         is otherwise waived by the Permit Issuing Authority:

         (1)  Noncomplying discharges subject to any applicable toxic
              pollutant effluent standard under Section 307(a) of  the Act;
         (2)  Discharges which could constitute a threat to  human health,
              welfare or the environment.  These include unusual or extra-
              ordinary discharges such as those which could  result from
              bypasses, treatment failure or objectionable substances
              passing through the treatment plant.  These include  Section
              311 pollutants or pollutants which could cause a threat to
              public drinking water supplies.

     d.  Nothing in this permit shall be construed to relieve the  permittee
         from civil or criminal penalties for noncompliance.


     Facilities Operation

     All waste collection and treatment facilities shall be  operated  in
     a manner consistent with the following:

     a.  The facilities shall at all times be maintained in  a good
         working order and operated as efficiently as possible. This
         includes but is not limited to effective performance based on
         design facility removals, adequate funding, effective management,
         adequate operator staffing and training, and adequate laboratory
         and process controls (including appropriate quality assurance
         procedure s); and

     b.  Any maintenance of facilities, which might necessitate unavoidable
         interruption of operation and degradation of effluent quality,
         •hall be scheduled during noncritical water quality periods  and
         carried out in a manner approved by the Permit Issuing Authority.

     c.  The permittee, in order to maintain compliance with this  permit
         •hall control production and all discharges upon reduction,  loss,
         or failure of the treatment facility until the facility is
         restored or an alternative method cf treatment is provided.
5.   Adverse Impact

     The permittee shall take all reasonable steps to minimize any
     adverse impact to waters of the United States resulting from

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                                                     P-Tt II

                                                    Page II-3


         noncompliance with any effluent limitations specified  in  this
         permit, including such accelerated or additional monitoring as
         necessary to determine the nature of the noncomplying  discharge.


6.   Bypassing

     "Bypassing" means the intentional diversion of untreated or partially
     treated wastes to waters of the United States from any portion of a
     treatment facility.   Bypassing of wastewaters is prohibited unless
     all of the following conditions are met:

     a.  The bypass is unavoidable-i.e.  required to prevent loss of life,
         personal injury  or severe property damage;

     b.  There are no feasible alternatives such as  use of auxiliary
         treatment facilities, retention of untreated wastes, or
         maintenance during normal periods of equipment down time;

     c.  The permittee reports (via telephone) to the Permit Issuing
         Authority any unanticipated bypass within 24 hours after
         becoming aware of it and follows up with written notification
         in 5 days.   Where the necessity of a bypass is known (or  should
         be known) in advance, prior notification shall be submitted to
         the Permit Issuing Authority for approval at least 10  days
         beforehand,  if possible.   All written notifications shall contain
         information as required in Part II (A)(3)(b);  and

     d.  The bypass is allowed under conditions determined to be necessary
         by the Permit Issuing Authority to minimize any adverse effects.
         The public shall be notified and given an opportunity  to  comment
         on bypass incidents of significant duration to the extent
         feasible.

     This requirement is  waived where infiltration/inflow analyses are
     scheduled to be  performed as  part of an Environmental Protection
     Agency facilities planning project.
    Removed  Substances

    Solids,  sludges,  filter  backwash,  or other pollutants  removed  in
    the  course of  treatment  or  control of wastevaters shall  be  disposed
    of in a  manner such  as to prevent  any pollutant from such materials
    from entering  waters  of  the United States.

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                                                         Part II

                                                        Page I1-4


     8.   Power Failures

         The permittee is responsible for maintaining adequate safeguards to
         prevent the discharge of untreated or inadequately treated wastes
         during electrical power failures either by means of alternate power
         sources, standby generators or retention of inadequately treated
         effluent.  Should the treatment works not include the above
         capabilities at time of permit issuance, the permittee must furnish
         within six months to the Permit Issuing Authority, for approval, an
         implementation schedule for their installation, or documentation
         demonstrating that such measures are not necessary to prevent discharge
         of untreated or inadequately treated wastes.  Such documentation
         shall include frequency and duration of power failures and an estimate
         of retention capacity of untreated effluent.

    9.   Onshore or Offshore Construction

         This permit does not authorize or approve the construction of any
         onshore or offshore physical structures or facilities or the
         undertaking of any work in any waters of the United States.


B.  RESPONSIBILITIES

    1.   Right of Entry

         The permittee shall allow the Permit Issuing Authority and/or
         authorized representatives (upon presentation of credentials and
         such other documents as may be required by law) to:

         a.   Enter upon the permittee's premises where an effluent source
             is located or in which any records are required to be kept under
             the terms and conditions of this permit;

         b.   Rave access  to and copy at reasonable times any records required
             to be kept under the terms and conditions of this permit;

         c.   Inspect at reasonable times any monitoring equipment or
             monitoring method required in this permit;

         d.   Inspect at reasonable times any collection, treatment,  pollution
             management or discharge facilities required under the permit;  or

         e.   Sample at reasonable times any discharge of pollutants.

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                                                     Part II

                                                    Page II-5
2.   Transfer of Ownership or Control
     A permit nay be transferred to another party under the following
     conditions:

     a.  The permittee notifies the Permit Issuing Authority of the
         proposed transfer;

     b.  A written agreement is submitted to the Permit Issuing Authority
         containing the specific transfer date and acknowledgement that
         the existing permittee is responsible for violations up to that
         date and the new permittee liable thereafter.

     Transfers are not effective if, within 30 days of receipt of proposal,
     the Permit Issuing Authority disagrees and notifies the current
     permitttee and the new permittee of the intent to modify, revoke and
     reissue, or terminate the permit and to require that a new application
     be filed.
3.   Availability of Reports

     Except for data determined to be confidential under Section 308
     of the Act, (33 U.S.C. 1318) all reports prepared in accordance with
     the terms of this permit shall be available for public inspection at
     the offices of the State water pollution control agency and the Permit
     Issuing Authority.  As required by the Act, effluent data shall not
     be considered confidential.  Knowingly making any false statement on
     any such report may result in the imposition of criminal penalties
     as provided for in Section 309 of the Act (33 U.S.C. 1319).


4.   Permit Modification

     After notice and opportunity for a hearing, this permit may be modified,
     terminated or revoked for cause (as described in 40 CFR 122.15 et seq)
     including, but not limited to, the following:

     a.  Violation of any terms or conditions of this permit;

     b.  Obtaining this permit by misrepresentation or failure to
         disclose fully all relevant facts;

     c.  A change in any condition that requires either temporary
         interruption or elimination of the permitted discharge; or

     d.  Information newly acquired by the Agency indicating the
         discharge poses a threat to human health or welfare.

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                                                     Part II

                                                    Page II-6
     If the permittee believes that any past or planned activity would
     be cause for modification or revocation and reissuance under
     40 CFR 122.15 et seq, the permittee must report such information to
     the Permit Issuing Authority.  The submission of a new application
     nay be required of the permittee.


5.   Toxic Pollutants

     •.  Notwithstanding Part II (B)(4) above, if a toxic effluent
         standard or prohibition (including any schedule of compliance
         specified in such effluent standard or prohibition) is established
         under Section 307(a) of the Act for a toxic pollutant which is
         present in the discharge authorized herein and such standard
         or prohibition is more stringent than any limitation for such
         pollutant in this permit, this permit shall be revoked and
         reissued or modified in accordance with the toxic effluent
         standard or prohibition and the permittee so notified.

     b.  An effluent standard established for a pollutant which is
         injurious to human health is effective and enforceable by the
         time set forth in the promulgated standard, even though this
         permit has not as yet been modified as outlined in Condition 5a.


6.   Civil and Criminal Liability

     Except as provided in permit conditions on "Bypassing", Part II
     (A) (6), nothing in this permit shall be construed to relieve the
     permittee from civil or criminal penalties for noncompliance.


7.   Oil and Hazardous Substance Liability

     Nothing in this permit shall be construed to preclude the
     institution of any legal action or relieve the permittee from
     any responsibilities, liabilities, or penalties to which the
     permittee is or may be subject under Section 311 of the Act
     (33 U.S.C. 1321).
8.   State Laws

     Nothing in this permit shall be construed to preclude the
     institution of any legal action or relieve the permittee from
     any responsibilities, liabilities, or penalties established
     pursuant to any applicable State law or regulation under authority
     preserved by Section 510 of the Act.

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                                                          Part II

                                                         Page II-7


      9.    Property Rights

           The issuance  of  this  permit  does not  convey any property rights in
           either real or personal  property, or  any exclusive privileges, nor
           does it authorize  any injury to private property or any invasion of
           personal rights, nor  any infringement of Federal, State, or local
           laws or regulations.


     10.    Severability

           The provisions of  this permit are severable,  and if any provision
           of  this permit,  or the application  of any  provision of this permit
           to  any circumstance,  is  held invalid, the  application of such
           provision to  other circumstances, and the  remainder of this permit
           shall not be  affected thereby.


     11.    Permit Continuation

           A new application  shall  be submitted  at least 180 days before  the
           expiration date  of this  permit.  Where EPA is the Permit Issuing
           Authority, the terms  and conditions of this permit are automatically
           continued in  accordance  with 40 CFR 122.5, provided  that the permittee
           has submitted a  timely and sufficient application for a renewal permit
           and the Permit Issuing Authority  is unable through no fault of the
           permittee to  issue a  new permit before the expiration date.


C.  HONITORING AND REPORTING

    1.   Representative  Sampling

         Samples and measurements taken as required herein shall be
         representative  of  the volume and nature of the  monitored discharge.


    2.   Reporting

         Monitoring results obtained during  each calendar month (quarter if
         monitoring frequency is quarterly)  shall be  summarized for each
         month (quarter) and  reported on a Discharge  Monitoring Report Form
         (EPA No. 3320-1).  Forms shall be submitted  at  the end of each
         calendar quarter and shall be  postmarked no  later than the 28th day
         of the month following  the end of the quarter.   The first report is
         due by the 28th day  of  the month following the  first full quarter
         after the effective  date of this permit.

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                                                     Part II

                                                    Page II-8


     Signed copies of these, and all other reports required herein, shall
     be submitted to the Permit Issuing Authority at the following
     address(es):

     Comoliance Branch                 'FL I)e'Pt'  of En\ri.rcnmental Regulation
     Environmental Protection Agency   Division  of Envirxxrmental Programs
     Region IV                         
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                                                        Part II

                                                       Page II-9
         Records Retention
         The permittee shall maintain records of all monitoring  including:
         sampling dates and times, sampling methods used,  persons obtaining
         samples or measurements, analyses dates and times,  persons performing
         analyses, and results of analyses and measurements.   Records  shall
         be maintained for three years or longer if there  is unresolved
         litigation or if requested by the Permit Issuing  Authority.


D.  DEFINITIONS

    1.   Permit Issuing Authority

         The Regional Administrator of EPA Region IV or designee.

    2.   Act

         "Act" means the Clean Water Act (formerly referred to as  the Federal
         Water Pollution Control Act) Public Law 92-500, as amended  by Public
         Law 95-217 and Public Law 95-576, 33 U.S.C. 1251  et seq.

    3.   Mass/Day Measurements

         a.  The "average monthly discharge" is defined as the total mass of
             all daily discharges sampled and/or measured during a calendar
             month on which daily discharges are sampled and measured, divided
             by the number of daily discharges sampled and/or measured during
             such month.  It is, therefore, an arithmetic mean found by adding
             the weights of the pollutant found each day of  the month and then
             dividing this sum by the number of days the tests were reported.
             This limitation is identified as "Daily Average" or "Monthly
             Average" in Part I of the permit and  the average monthly discharge
             value is reported in the "Average" column under "Quantity" on
             the Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR).

         b.  The "average weekly discharge"  is defined  as the total mass of
             all daily discharges sampled and/or measured during a calendar
             week on which daily discharges  are  sampled and/or measured
             divided by the number of "daily  discharges  sampled  and/or measured
             during such week.   It is, therefore,  an arithmetic mean  found by
             adding the weights  of pollutants  found each  day of the week and
             then dividing this  sum  by the number  of days the tests were
             reported. This  limitation is  identified as "Weekly Average" in
             Part I of the permit and the  average  weekly  discharge value is
             reported in  the  "Maximum" column  under "Quantity"  on the DMR.

         c.  The "maximum daily  discharge"  is  the  total mass (weight) of a
             pollutant discharged during a calendar day.  If only one
             sample  is taken during  any  calendar day the  weight of pollutant

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                                                    Part II

                                                   Page 11-10
         calculated from it is the "maximum daily  discharge".  This
         limitation is identified as "Daily Maximum,"  in Part  I of the
         permit and the highest such value recorded  during  the reporting
         period ia reported in the "Maximum" column  under "Quantity"
         on the DMR.
4.   Concentration Measurements

     a.  The "average monthly concentration," other than for  fecal
         coliform bacteria,  is the concentration of all  daily discharges
         sampled and/or measured during a calendar month on which daily
         discharges are sampled and measured  divided by  the number  of
         daily discharges sampled and/or measured during such month
         (arithmetic mean of the daily concentration values).  The  daily
         concentration value is equal to the  concentration of a composite
         sample or in the case of grab samples is the arithmetic mean
         (weighted by flow value) of all the  samples collected during
         that calendar day.   The average monthly count for fecal coliform
         bacteria is the geometric mean of the counts for samples  collected
         during a calendar month.  This limitation is identified as
         "Monthly Average" or "Daily Average" under "Other Limits"  in
         Part I of the permit and the average monthly concentration value
         is reported under the "Average" column under "Quality" on  the DMR.

     b.  The "average weekly concentration,"  other than  for fecal coliform
         bacteria, is the concentration of all daily discharges sampled
         and/or measured during a calendar week on which daily discharges
         are sampled and measured divided by  the number  of daily discharges
         sampled and/or measured during such  week (arithmetic mean  of  the
         daily concentration values).  The daily concentration value is
         equal to the concentration of a composite sample or  in the case of
         grab samples is the arithmetic mean  (weighted by flow value)  of
         all samples collected during that calendar day.  The average
         weekly count for fecal coliform bacteria is the geometric  mean
         of the counts for samples collected  during a calendar week.   This
         limitation is identified as "Weekly  Average" under "Other  Limits"
         in Part I of the permit and the average weekly  concentration
         value is reported under the "Maximum" column under "Quality"  on
         the DMR.

     c.  The "maximum daily  concentration" is the concentration of  a
         pollutant discharged during a calendar day.  It is identified
         as "Daily Maximum"  under "Other Limits" in Part I of the permit
         and the highest such value recorded  during the  reporting period
         is reported under the "Maximum" column under "Quality" on  the
         DMR.

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                                                      Part II

                                                     Page  11-11


      Other Measurements

      a.  The effluent flow expressed as M3/day (MGD) is the 24 hour
          average flow averaged monthly.  It is the  arithmetic mean of
          the total daily flows recorded during the  calendar month.
          Where monitoring requirements for flow are specified in Part I
          of the permit the flow rate values are reported  in the "Average1
          column under "Quantity" on the DMR.

      b.  Where monitoring requirements for pH,  dissolved  oxygen or fecal
          coliform are specified in Part I of  the permit the values are
          generally reported in the "Quality or Concentration" column on
          the DMR.
 6.    Types  of  Samples

      a.   Composite  Sample - A  "composite sample" is any of the following:

          (1)   Not less  than four influent or effluent portions collected
               at regular intervals over a period of 8 hours and composited
               in proportion to flow.

          (2)   Not less  than four equal volume influent or effluent
               portions  collected over a period of 8 hours at intervals
               proportional to the flow.

          (3)  An influent or effluent portion collected continuously
              over a period of 24 hours at a rate proportional to the flow.

     b.  Crab Sample:  A "grab sample" is a single influent or effluent
         portion which  is not a composite sample.  The sample(s) shall be
         collected at the period(s) most representative of the total
         discharge.


7.   Calculation of Means

     a.  Arithmetic  Mean:  The arithmetic mean of any set of values is
         the summation of the individual values divided by the number
         of individual values.

     b.  Geometric Mean:  The geometric mean of any set of values  is the
         Nth root of the product of the individual values where N  is equal
         to the number of individual values.  The geometric mean is
         equivalent  to the antilog of the arithmetic mean of the logarithms
         of the individual values.   For purposes of calculating the
         geometric mean, values of zero (0)  shall be considered to be one (1).

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                                                    Part  II

                                                    Page 11-12
     c.  Weighted by Flow Value:   Weighted by flow value means  the
         summation of each concentration times its respective flow
         divided by the summation of the respective  flows.
8.   Calendar Day

     *.  A calendar day is defined as the period from midnight  of  one
         day until midnight of the next day.   However, for purposes  of
         this permit, any consecutive 24-hour period that reasonably
         represents the calendar day may be used for sampling.

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National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Requirements

The below listed requirements, conditions and limitations were
recommended in the Farmland Industries Phosphate Mine site
specific Environmental Impact Statement, and are hereby
incorporated into National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System Permit No. FL0037915 in accordance with 40 CFR
122.62(d)(9).

1.   Farmland shall exclude the utilization of any conventional
     aboveground slime-disposal areas with the exception of
     Clay Settling areas I and II described in the EIS.
     Farmland's waste disposal and reclamation plan shall
     employ a sand-clay mix process as described in the EIS.
     Only Settling Area II shall remain active for the life of
     the mine.

2.   Farmland shall perform the dragline mining operation in a
     fashion that increases the casting distance of the
     overburden, causing the overburden to be piled higher and
     thereby increasing by approximately 10 percent the below
     ground volume available for waste disposal and lowering
     the above ground profile of Settling Area II by
     approximately four feet.

3.   Farmland shall meet the requirements of its Southwest
     Florida Water Management District  (SWFWMD) Consumptive Use
     Permit.

4.   Farmland shall provide storage that allows recirculation
     of water recovered from slimes.  The water circulation
     system and  storage capacity shall be as described  in the
     EIS for Farmland's proposed project.

5.   During the  dragline mining activity, Farmland shall employ
     the technique of leach zone management by toe spoiling,
     i.e., overburden from near the  interface with the  matrix
     (the leach  zone, where radioactivity in the overburden is
     concentrated) shall be placed at the toe of the  spoil pile
     and covered with overburden from upper strata.

6.   Farmland shall meet county and  state reclamation
     requirements.

7.   Farmland shall preserve  from mining, or any other
     disturbance,  the areas proposed  for preservation in
     Farmland's  proposed action  in  the  EIS.  These areas are
     depicted in the attached map, Figure 1.   Specifically, the
     total  preserved acreage  of 2530  acres  shall  include a
     minimum of  510 acres  of  forested uplands,  885 acres of
     freshwater  swamp,  107  acres of  freshwater  marsh, and 354
     acres  of pine flatwoods/palmetto range, all  in  the
     locations  depicted in Figure  1.

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8.   Farmland shall increase the acreage reclaimed as forest
     habitat and provide corridors for wildlife movement
     between reclaimed and preserved areas by planting
     additional areas as depicted in Figure 2, attached.

9.   Farmland shall incorporate into its reclamation plan a
     littoral zone at the downstream extent of the proposed
     reclaimed open lake in the Hickory Creek channel.  This
     littoral zone shall be at least 500 feet wide and at a
     depth suitable for emergent vegetation,  providing for the
     establishment of 7-10 acres of marsh community.

10.  Before beginning any land-disturbing activities, Farmland
     shall develop a program whereby indigo snakes encountered
     in the work area are captured for relocation to other
     areas of suitable habitat in the site region.  This
     program shall include informing Farmland workers of the
     importance of the indigo snake, familiarizing them with
     its appearance and instructing them as to its
     preservation.  In addition, the gopher tortoise population
     shall be protected to the extent possible in the site
     area.  Farmland shall coordinate its recovery and
     relocation efforts with the Florida Endangered Species
     Coordinator, and shall maintain a record of the program to
     be submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

11.  Farmland shall comply with the categorization of wetlands
     present on the mine property as set forth in the EIS and
     illustrated in Figure 3, attached.  In summary, within
     Category 1 wetlands. Farmland shall not mine, shall limit
     activities to those essential to and unavoidable for the
     mining operation, and shall otherwise take all reasonable
     measures to preserve all Category 1 wetlands.
     Additionally, Farmland shall restore the total acreage of
     Category 2 wetlands disturbed by mining.  Specifically,
     the acreage to be restored as freshwater marsh or swamp
     according to Farmland's proposed action in the EIS shall
     be increased by at least 116 acres (from 398 acres to a
     minimum of 514 acres).  This shall be done by differential
     grading and settling of sand-clay mix areas in addition to
     that already proposed by Farmland in the EIS.

12.  During the mining of the unpreserved portion of Hickory
     Creek, the flow from this area shall be diverted around
     the active mine area into the lower preserved section of
     Hickory Creek (rather than to Troublesome Creek).

13.  Mining in the vicinity of lower Hickory Creek shall be
     scheduled such that open mine pits exist adjacent to only
     one side of the preserved portion of the creek at a given
     time.

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14.   Farmland shall monitor the water quality of the Surficial
     Aquifer at the location identified on the attached map.
     Figure 3.  The following parameters shall be monitored on
     a quarterly basis for the life of the mine:  pH,  specific
     conductance, sulfates, fluoride, and ammonia.  A written
     report summarizing the data shall be submmitted once a
     year to EPA.

15.   Unless specified otherwise by a preceding condition in
     this permit. Farmland shall carry out its mining project
     in complete accordance with the applicant's proposed
     action described and evaluated in the Farmland EIS,
     including the employment of all mitigating measures
     presented as part of the proposed action.  However, this
     shall not preclude the imposition of any additional or
     more stringent conditions which may be required by any
     local or state regulatory agency or governmental entity.

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                                                                        ----- PROTERTY BOUNDARY

                                                                             OUT PARCEL (NOT FARMLAND PROPERTY)

                                                                             FRESHWATER SWAMP
FIGURE I   EXISTING LAND USE OF  AREAS TO  BE PRESERVED ON
            THE  FARMLAND INDUSTRIES,  INC.  MINE  SITE,  HARDEE
            COUNTY, FLORIDA.
    FRESHWATER MARSH

    PINE FLATWOODS PALMETTO RANGE

    UPLAND FOREST

  i  IMPROVED PASTURE

v^vl  CITRUS

  •  OTHER AGRJCULTURf
                                                                                  2,000   4,000
                                                                               SCALE IN FEET
SOURCE: FARMLAND INDUSTRIES. INC., HARDEE COUNTY MASTER PLAN. JUNE 1979

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FIGURE 2  PROPOSED AND ADDITIONAL REFORESTATION PLANTINGS
          ON THE FARMLAND INDUSTRIES,  INC.  MINE SITE
          HARDEE COUNTY,  FLORIDA.
Proposed Reforestation Areas
                                                                         Additional Reforestation Areas

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LEGEND
symbol
meaning     Category 1  Category 2  Category 2  Category 3  Preserved
             Wetl^-^ds    Wetlands    Wetlands    Wetlands     Area
                                 Disturbed   Undisturbed
FIGURE 3  WETLAND CATEGORIZATION AND SURFICIAL AQUIFER
          MONITORING LOCATION, FARMLAND  INDUSTRIES, INC.
          SITE, HARDEE COUNTY, FLORIDA.
SOURCE: WOODWARD-CLYDE CONSULTANTS (1980)


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