Southern Environ
EPA Must Protect NC Fisheries after Army Corps Fails to Addres
Concerns about PCS’ Mine Expansion
05.07.2009 – CHAPEL HILL, NC—Protection of North Carolina’s economic diversity,
natural wealth and people hinges on the Environmental Protection Agency after the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers failed to address serious concerns about irreversible
harm from PCS Phosphate’s planned mining expansion, according to
environmental groups.
“With this latest failure of the Corps, it’s now in EPA’s hands whether commercial
fishing, recreation, tourism, and health of North Carolina’s people will be protected
while mining continues,” said Derb Carter, director, Carolinas Office, Southern
Environmental Law Center. “Destroying important fisheries and river ecosystems
will mortgage our children and grandchildren’s economic future and health long
after PCS has left the area. No mitigation measures can reverse such mining
damage.”
The concerns were so grave that the EPA called them "unacceptable" and elevated
the proposed mining expansion to the national level for careful review. Now, under
its mandate to protect people and their environment, the EPA may demand
additional protections through a veto of the proposed permit while still allowing for
some interim mining expansion.
Concern over PCS Phosphate’s planned destruction of wetlands and primary
nurseries near the Pamlico River remain unaddressed despite consistently being
raised by the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, N.C. Wildlife Resources
Commission, U.S. EPA, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries
Service, and the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council throughout the whole
permit process.
PCS Phosphate’s current mine expansion proposal in Beaufort County would be the
largest single destruction of wetlands permitted in North Carolina’s history, causing
irreversible harm to tourism and fishing in the immediate area and downstream
along the state’s beautiful coastline. It jeopardizes the irreplaceable ecosy