Reclaiming Land for Future Generations
Florida’s phosphate industry has a responsibility to minimize the impact of our operations, and the plan for the next phase of the land’s life. Phosphate operations and manufacturing are intensive endeavors, and are essential to support farmers grow food that the world needs. Our industry respects Florida’s natural resources and is leading environmental approaches that allow us to meet the regulatory standard of “net ecological improvement” -- meaning that after we use and restore the land through reclamation, the land must be of higher ecological value than before it was used. This is possible because much of the land that supports phosphate production was previously impacted by human activities, and modern reclamation ecology allows us to recreate wildlife corridors and functioning ecosystems that, in some cases, have not existed for decades. Our commitment today will benefit generations to come.
Our Commitment to Reclamation
Since 1975, every acre of land that operators use must be reclaimed back to nature, or into agriculture, parks, playgrounds, neighborhoods, or other productive uses. Phosphate operations are a temporary use of the land, enabling a productive next life. Before operations can begin, reclamation plans must be approved for the area to be put to productive use. Reclamation plans are critical components of local, state and federal operations permits. Comprehensive reclamation plans safeguard the environment, natural resources and wildlife.