A massive phosphate mine proposed in Branford and Union counties has been called one of the biggest threats to the Santa Fe River in decades. Now the backers of the project are using the courts to try to move the project forward.

Jeer: HPS II Enterprises, the company behind the mining plan, for suing Union County over its moratorium on permits for such projects.

Union County commissioners wisely voted last month to extend the moratorium through February 2019 as they work on stronger land-use regulations. A permit is unfortunately still pending in Bradford County.

The mine is proposed on more than 10,000 acres straddling the New River, a Santa Fe tributary. Alachua County Environmental Protection Director Chris Bird has called the project the biggest threat to the Santa Fe that he’s seen in his 30-some years with the county.

Phosphate mining requires the removal of massive amounts of water and soil, causing wetlands to be altered or destroyed. The project poses an unnecessary risk to the aquifer, our drinking water source. Officials should be able to protect the local environment without being bullied by legal action.