Florida appeals court approves Mosaic Ona Mine plan

Tampa-Florida’s Second District Court of Appeals at Tampa upheld the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s approval of Mosaic’s permits to mine its 4,197-acre Ona-Ft. Green property in Hardee by upholding lower court decisions. The decision ended eight years of state permit proceedings, including multiple judicial and public hearings. “We’re obviously pleased with this ruling, as it validates the solid and comprehensive record of facts and science that have repeatedly verified not only the quality of the Ona permit application, but also Mosaic’s commitment to responsible stewardship of Florida’s environment,” said Richard Mack, Mosaic’s executive vice president and general counsel. “Our position has been consistently upheld at every step in the permitting process, despite many millions of taxpayer dollars spent on unwarranted litigation.” The Ona-Ft. Green case is one of four permit proceedings in recent years in which administrative law judges have ruled the mining will not adversely impact water quantity or quality in the Peace River or Charlotte Harbor. Most recently, an Administrative Law Judge recommended approval of Mosaic’s South Ft. Meade Mine extension in Hardee County, finding against Lee and Sarasota counties.