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Cargill Fertilizer mines and manufactures phosphate fertilizer in west central Florida. Looking toward the future, Cargill has developed a long-term plan that matches the life of its mining operations (30 years) to the capacity of its manufacturing plant in Riverview. This plan includes an expansion of Cargill's existing phosphogypsum stack system that increases the company's storage capacity of gypsum, a byproduct of fertilizer production. To accomplish this goal, Cargill recognizes that it must provide the community assurances that this expansion will protect the people and the ecosystem of the area in which it operates. The company is committed to designing, constructing and operating this extended storage area in a manner that will meet or exceed all federal, state and local laws, rules and requirements. In seeking to obtain a long-term and integrated operating permit, Cargill voluntarily applied to utilize the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Ecosystem Management process. Gypsum Stack Facts The closed gypsum stack covers 325 acres and
had a 240-foot high closing level permit. It was
closed in 1990 after being open for 60 years. The
existing gypsum stack has a phosphogypsum system
that includes a 326-acre stack and a 238-acre
cooling pond. It is currently 85 feet high and is
permitted to 200 feet. The gypsum stack was
opened in 1990 and is permitted until 2007. The
proposed plan includes a 90-acre expansion
(south) of the phosphogypsum system while keeping
a 238-acre cooling pond area. The closing level
permit would be extended to 250 feet high, and
the stack would be closed in 2037. |
