What effect does phosphate mining have on the ecology of the area?
Very careful analysis is done by the government and the company to assure there is as little impact upon the ecology of the area as possible, prior to mining taking place. Environmental monitoring of all resources (water, soil, vegetation, fisheries, aquatic biota, wildlife, air and wetlands) begins before mining starts, continues during active mining and remains in place for various amounts of time after mining and reclamation is completed to assure any potential effects are recognized and addressed. Currently (due to past practices no longer utilized) there are elevated concentrations of selenium in groundwater, surface water and isolated areas of vegetation at Smoky Canyon. These elevated concentrations being addressed through the voluntary CERCLA response actions which are currently being implemented. These multi-million dollar clean up projects are expected to significantly decrease concentrations to below regulatory standards.
