TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: Peter D. Lear, CPA, CGMA, Interim City Manager
TITLE: Presentation on Desoto East, Desoto West Mines and Big Slough Watershed - Mining and North Port's Water Supply
Recommended Action
Any applicable staff direction.
Background Information
Over the past several months there has been a lot of conversation in regards to the Mosaic Company's upcoming mining projects in Manatee and Desoto Counties. The City has no regulatory control over those projects. Several citizens have raised concerns with regard to the projects and their potential impacts to the City of North Port's water supply.
The Desoto East mine is within the Peace River Watershed and is completely outside of the Big Slough Canal Basin. The Desoto West mine site is located in the Big Slough Canal Basin which is the watershed for the City of North Port and source of potable water supply for the City.
North Port's primary potable water supply is the Myakkahatchee Creek (MHC) and water from the MHC goes into the City’s Aquifer Recover Storage (ASR) well. The City's secondary water supply is the Cocoplum Waterway and the backup water supply is the Peace River Water Authority.
As mentioned in February, Mayor Yates had met with Mr. Don Rice, a retired hydrologist, Ms. Mary Hrenda, also a retired hydrologist, Allain Hale and through the city manager, Public Works director Julia Belia was also in attendance. Ms. Bellia gave an overview of the City’s stormwater system and potable water supply system. Mr. Rice explained the mining process, the concept of ASR wells and communicated a wealth of information regarding the impact of phosphate mining on the hydrology of Big Slough and its basin. Mr. Don Rice accepted an invitation to do a presentation to provide the information that he shared with me to the City Commission.
Strategic Plan
Financial Impact
Procurement
Attachments:
1. Big Slough - Desoto mines
2. Map - Mining areas outside City Limits
Prepared by: Patsy Adkins for Mayor Yates
Department Director: Patsy Adkins