Itafos Conda LLC, which runs Agrium’s former phosphate mining and processing operations in Eastern Idaho, has invested nearly $1.2 million to form the Southeast Idaho Wildlife Mitigation Fund in conjunction with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s approval for its Rasmussen Valley open pit mine, which has an estimated seven years supply of ore.
For the first time in Idaho history, the mine plan implements a habitat equivalency analysis that places a dollar cost on the value of wildlife habitat that will be lost to the mine’s development.
In January 2018, Itafos acquired the Conda Phosphate Operations near Soda Springs for $100 million from Agrium Inc., Calgary, which now is part of Nutrien Ltd., Saskatoon
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission required Agrium to divest its Idaho mine and Conda plant to ensure that Nutrien did not unduly control phosphate fertilizer manufactured in Idaho but sold in the Midwest. Conda produces about 550,000 mt/y annually of MAP, super phosphoric acid, merchant grade phosphoric acid, and specialty products.
In addition to the Rasmussen Valley Mine, Itafos has indicated to the BLM that it is interested in securing the required permits to develop the Husky-North Dry Ridge surface mining project in Caribou County and the Paris Hills underground phosphate deposit not far from Bear Lake on the Idaho/Utah border. Those two properties were previously owned by Agrium and Stonegate Agricom, respectively.
The Rasmussen Valley Mine on the Caribou/Targhee National Forest about 18 miles northeast of Soda Springs in Caribou County posed challenges to BLM because of its potential for environmental impacts on nearby tributaries of the Blackfoot River, whose headwaters are near the mine. Half of the approved mining activities also will occur within the Idaho Fish & Game’s Blackfoot River Wildlife Management Area.
The federal phosphate lease for the Rasmussen Valley Mine was held by Nu-West Industries Inc., doing business as Agrium Conda Phosphate Operations. Nutrien retained all the historic and depleted legacy mine sites that belonged to Agrium and will be responsible for any mine cleanup activities at those sites.
The Rasmussen Valley Mine lease grants exclusive rights to develop 541 acres of new disturbance with fewer environmental impacts, extending the mine’s life by an additional 10 months from its original application.
The approved plan includes a 2.4 mile-long pit to recover phosphate. Access points, power lines, and haul roads will be constructed. Parts of the mine plan were completely redesigned to resolve and eliminate environmental issues. It includes developing a water management plan and constructing ancillary facilities, including a fuel storage area, water supply wells, and runoff sediment control structures.
The Sagebrush Steppe Land Trust – a non-profit conservation organization serving seven southeastern Idaho counties – will coordinate and administer the Southeast Idaho Wildlife Management Fund to increase the conservation value and productivity of wildlife habitat in the area. A habitat improvement team consisting of natural resource, land management, and tribal trustees will award funds to successful applicants.
“This fund provides tremendous opportunities for land owners and managers to enhance, restore, and conserve wildlife habitat on their property,” said Sagebrush Steppe Land Trust Executive Director Matt Lucia.
Trustees include Idaho Fish & Game, Idaho Department of Lands, Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, Caribou/Targhee National Forest, BLM, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes.
An application period opened on April 1 and will close on May 31. An open house will be held on May 1 at the Idaho Fish & Game’s regional office in Pocatello to inform the public about request for proposal requirements, the scoring process, and time lines for awarding and distributing funds.