FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 18, 2001
DEP Advanced Planning Averts Potential Spill At
Mulberry, Piney Point
TALLAHASSEE
-- Department of
Environmental Protection Deputy Secretary Allan Bedwell praised
the Bureau of Mine Reclamation staff for the work done at Mulberry
and Piney Point phosphate plants. Thanks to their diligence and
oversight, no dangerous spills occurred at either plant during
Tropical Storm Gabrielle last weekend.
Gabrielle
soaked the Tampa area with over 11 inches of rain last weekend,
which caused widespread flooding. On August 28, Deputy Secretary
Bedwell visited the Mulberry plant for the ribbon-cutting ceremony
for the three-mile pipeline between Mulberry and Cargill
Fertilizer’s containment pond in Mulberry, Florida. It was
during this visit that Bedwell was told that the acidic process
water was a mere six inches from the top of the phosphogypsum
stack. Had nothing been done to the site before the arrival of
Tropical Storm Gabrielle, this stack would have certainly
overflowed.
“This
was a great accomplishment,” said Bedwell. “It is only through
hard work and constant supervision of the contractors, the
engineers, and the receiver that we are able to ensure the
environmental security of these sites.”
For the
past several months, DEP has worked diligently to get both sites
stabilized and the process water reduced to point where the sites
could withstand a storm the size of Gabrielle. Thanks to the
efforts of all those involved, including Cargill Fertilizer and
IMC Phosphates who volunteered assistance, the sites were able to
sustain the high winds and heavy rain without losing any of its
acidic process water.
The
proactive steps taken at these plants not only helped to protect
our waterways, but also the safety and well being of residents
that live in the surrounding area.
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