Mosaic is seeking permits for a 121-acre expansion of the gypsum stack at its New Wales plant and a modification of the reactivated 319-acre stack at its Green Bay plant.\n<\/p>\n
This comes at a time when Sierra and other environmental groups have launched a campaign to seek stronger federal oversight of this waste byproduct of fertilizer manufacturing.\n<\/p>\n
Phosphogypsum is required to be stored in stacks that look like small hills across the landscape. The material is slightly radioactive and contains a number of chemical elements such as arsenic, lead and chromium that can contaminate groundwater.\n<\/p>\n
The stacks have been the site of some catastrophic accidents involving sinkholes that sent waste to the Florida aquifer and spills that threatened local rivers and bays.\n<\/p>\n
The push for stronger oversight by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is intended to recognize the hazardous components contained in these stacks and their potential health and environmental threats.\n<\/p>\n
This not solely a Florida issue. These stacks exist in other states, particularly Louisiana.\n<\/p>\n