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PCS Mining Proposal: Fact vs. Myth
PCS Phosphate Mine
PCS Phosphate Mine (NC): Background
The Army Corps of Engineers’ Final Environmental Impact Statement
The Army Corps of Engineers has completed a final environmental impact statement, outlining its plans for the mining project that will destroy the wetlands.
Meanwhile, PCS has launched a massive ad campaign to convince area residents that after it reclaims the mined land and mitigates for the impacts, the environment will benefit. Despite winning several awards for one small project, reclamation is not something the company is known for. Since it began mining in 1965, PCS has reclaimed only 14% of the land it has mined, and while the company claims to have an ambitious plan for mitigating the wetlands and streams that would be destroyed by this project, they have not identified and secured the land to back up their plan. In fact, their conceptual plan falls short of the level of mitigation they promise in their ads. Furthermore, many scientists believe that the project would be so destructive that no amount of mitigation could replace the functions and values that would be lost.
The Role of Wetlands
The wetlands that would be destroyed maintain the water quality, fisheries and wildlife in the Pamlico River in addition to protecting the area from storm surges. They also provide crucial habitat for commercial and recreational fisheries and are a major attraction for the housing industry, two vital economic engines in the region.