Mosaic Seeks More Gypsum Stack Permits Amid Calls For Tougher EPA Oversight Over Contamination Concerns

Mosaic is seeking permits for a 121-acre expansion of the gypsum stack at its New Wales plant and a modification of the reactivated 319-acre stack at its Green Bay plant.

This comes at a time when Sierra and other environmental groups have launched a campaign to seek stronger federal oversight of this waste byproduct of fertilizer manufacturing.

Phosphogypsum is required to be stored in stacks that look like small hills across the landscape. The material is slightly radioactive and contains a number of chemical elements such as arsenic, lead and chromium that can contaminate groundwater.

The stacks have been the site of some catastrophic accidents involving sinkholes that sent waste to the Florida aquifer and spills that threatened local rivers and bays.

The push for stronger oversight by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is intended to recognize the hazardous components contained in these stacks and their potential health and environmental threats.

This not solely a Florida issue. These stacks exist in other states, particularly Louisiana.

To get a full picture of the issue, what Sierra and other groups are seeking to accomplish and more, go to phosphogypsumfreeamerica.org .