FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 11, 2017
Statement Regarding Mosaic’s Oct. 11 Pollution
Notification Incident
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – If you are covering the pollution notice filed by Mosaic today regarding their Plant City facility, please include the following statement from DEP:
"DEP was informed by Mosaic through an email that the company
was inspecting a potential pollution incident at a pond at a gypsum stack in
Hillsborough County yesterday evening. Once this pollution event was confirmed
by the company, Mosaic reported the incident both to the Florida State Watch
Office and to DEP’s pollution notification system, as required by legislation
signed by Governor Rick Scott this year. Pursuant to Florida law, Mosaic’s
report was sent to members of the public and media who subscribed, as well as
posted on DEP’s website.
"Today, prior to confirmation by Mosaic of this pollution
event, DEP sent investigators to inspect the gypsum stack and the recovery well
system. The wells utilized at this site self-contains all water, and a
preliminary investigation found this recovery well system to be operating
properly.
"Because public health and safety is always DEP’s top
priority, DEP inspectors also performed independent sampling of on-site
monitoring wells to ensure the process water is being successfully contained.
The processing of these samples will be expedited by DEP’s
nationally-accredited laboratory. At this time, based on the information
provided by Mosaic and the preliminary reports from DEP inspectors, we do not
believe that there is any threat to public health or safety.
"DEP will continue to perform daily inspections of this site
as it is repaired. Along with performing our own independent samples, DEP has instructed Mosaic to increase the frequency of
their groundwater monitoring well activities to ensure containment of the
process water. In addition, DEP has directed Mosaic to increase pond level and
recovery system monitoring activities so that we are able to closely monitor
conditions at the site. We will keep the public and media informed of all
developments at this site.
"Mosaic has ceased
operations in the impacted pond, and has begun lowering process water levels in
the pond to allow access to make repairs and more thoroughly inspect the
damaged liner.
"Along with ensuring that Mosaic takes all
the necessary steps to repair the liner as quickly as possible, both DEP’s
regulatory staff and general counsel’s office will closely review all data and
information related to the incident to determine any and all necessary
enforcement actions. We will stop at nothing to protect Florida’s environment.
"This year, Governor Scott signed legislation requiring
public notification within 24 hours of pollution incidents and providing
additional resources for pollution prevention and recovery. This process
includes transparent notifications to more than 1,300 members of the media and
public who have subscribed."
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