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EPA Abandons Wetlands and Fisheries 6-18-09

added 6.18.09

The Environmental Protection Agency last night backed away from its earlier finding that an 11,000 acre mine expansion by PCS Phosphate posed “unacceptable harm” to critical wetlands and fisheries in the nation’s second largest estuary, the Albemarle-Pamlico, according to environmental groups. After elevating the permit to the national level in a rare move, EPA could have vetoed the destruction of 1,200 acres of the most critical wetlands and nurseries while still allowing continued mining by the company for 29 years. Read more in the press release including links to related letters and documents.

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Groups Urge EPA: Veto Mining Wetlands and Nurseries 6-8-09

added 6.8.09

Environmental groups today urged the Environmental Protection Agency to veto the mining of almost 1200 acres of critical wetlands and nurseries while still allowing continued PCS Phosphate mining of 11,000 acres in the Albemarle-Pamlico estuary after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers failed to address serious concerns about irreversible harm during a rare national elevation of the mining permit. Read more in the press release.

EPA Must Protect NC Fisheries after Corps Fails

added 5.7.09

Protection of North Carolina’s economic diversity, natural wealth and people hinges on the Environmental Protection Agency after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers failed to address serious concerns about irreversible harm from PCS Phosphate’s planned mining expansion. Read more in the press release.

Phosphate Mine Expansion On the Pamlico River

added 3.19.09

On March 12, 2009, SELC filed a legal challenge of the North Carolina Division of Water Quality’s decision to allow PCS Phosphate to expand its strip mine through wetlands, streams, and tidal creeks on the Pamlico River. Issued in January 2009, the state’s approval of the project violates the Clean Water Act by allowing severe degradation of water quality and aquatic habitat and by failing to require adequate mitigation of the mine’s impacts. The state’s decision also sets a dangerous precedent that puts other North Carolina river basins in jeopardy.