Frequently Asked Questions
Q1 -- What is phosphate and what is it used for?
The phosphate mined at Smoky Canyon is a result of deposited organic material from an ancient sea bed. Although phosphate is a naturally occurring element, it must be further processed before it is available for plant nutrition. The phosphate ore extracted at Smoky Canyon is processed at the Pocatello manufacturing complex into various fertilizer products that are applied to farmers’ fields for crop production, and to golf courses, nurseries, and home lawns, as well as utilized as a feed supplement for poultry and beef production.
Q2 -- How is phosphate mined?
Phosphate ore at Smoky Canyon is mined in open pits by first removing the topsoil and stockpiling it for placement back on top of the reclaimed pits when mining is completed. Then rocks that overlay the phosphate (referred to as “overburden”) are removed to expose multiple layers or “seams” of phosphate ore. The phosphate ore is delivered to an on-site mill where it is pulverized in special equipment to a fine powder, mixed with water and pumped 87 miles in an underground pipeline to the processing facility in Pocatello, Idaho. The overburden that was removed is then backfilled back into the open pits, topsoil is placed back on top, the area is reseeded, and trees are replanted, all according to requirements by the Bureau of Land Management and United States Forest Service.
Q3 -- 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.
Q4 -- What is selenium and how is it related to phosphate?
Selenium is elevated in some of the overburden that is removed in order to access the phosphate ore seams. Generally this overburden is described as “center waste shale.” Because Simplot can readily identify center waste shale, it is selectively handled and placed back in the bottom of the pit backfills during reclamation to lessen the potential risk of mobilizing selenium to the environment.
Q5 -- How many people work at Smoky Canyon?
Approximately 200 people are employed at Smoky Canyon. In addition, another 375 people are full-time employees of the Simplot Don Plant west of Pocatello. Smoky Canyon is the sole source of phosphate ore for the Don Plant. Once the ore is processed into fertilizers, it is distributed through an extensive network of retail and wholesale outlets. In total, 2,200 full-time employees work in Simplot’s fertilizer business unit.
Q6 -- Is Smoky Canyon a Superfund site?
Smoky Canyon is not on the National Priority List designated for long-term response for highly contaminated sites, commonly referenced by media sources as “Superfund Sites.” However, in 2002 the J.R. Simplot Company voluntarily entered into a legally binding agreement with both Federal and State government agencies to investigate the release or threat of release of any hazardous substance at the site. This agreement requires Simplot to develop a range of response action alternatives to prevent the potential releases and implement the action selected by the government agencies along with public input. This type of voluntary agreement is provided for under the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), which is the same legislation known as “Superfund.”
Q7 -- What does Simplot do to monitor impacts to the ecology of the area?
An extensive environmental monitoring plan has been in place at Smoky Canyon since 1979, even before mining began in the area. Further, Simplot is e required to continue environmental monitoring after mining and reclamation is complete. Currently samples are collected from 45 surface water monitoring sites at the active site as well as the proposed extension area. Eight groundwater wells are routinely sampled at both the active site area and the proposed expansion area too. Other monitoring tasks include stormwater monitoring related to precipitation events, best management practice effectiveness monitoring, (which assures the mitigation measures being implemented are functioning as predicted), wildlife monitoring, fish population and tissue sampling, aquatic biota sampling (periphyton, algae, aquatic vegetation), macroinvertebrate tissue analysis and diversity monitoring, reclamation vegetation monitoring and cultural and paleontological resources monitoring. All of this data is provided to the appropriate government agencies annually for review and interpretation.
Q8 -- How long will Simplot be at Smoky Canyon?
If the next phase is approved, Simplot anticipates mining in the Smoky Canyon area for another 15 – 20 years.
Q9 -- What is Simplot doing to clean up selenium contamination in the area?
In 2002 Simplot voluntarily entered into a legally binding agreement with the State and Federal government agreeing to investigate the release or the threat of release of any hazardous substances from phosphate mining at Smoky Canyon. This agreement required Simplot to develop a range of response action alternatives to prevent the release of any hazardous substances identified in a site investigation.
To date Simplot has completed an extensive site investigation which characterized and investigated potential areas of contamination at the inactive portions of Smoky Canyon. The investigation also identified alternatives for potential remedies for areas where elevated selenium in water or vegetation exist. The site investigation was reviewed and accepted by the Forest Service as well as all the cooperating state and federal agencies. The proposed actions were also evaluated by the agencies for implementability, effectiveness, and cost.
In the winter of 2006, Simplot entered into an agreement with the Forest Service, EPA, and IDEQ requiring Simplot to implement the removal actions selected by the Forest Service. Those actions will address the movement of selenium from Pole Canyon Creek and runoff from the surrounding landscape. As part of these actions, the water from upper Pole Canyon Creek will be diverted around the overburden. Ditches will be built to intercept clean water on the sides of Pole Canyon Creek. These actions will insure that clean water does not come into contact with material containing selenium.
Simplot has posted a $2.9 million bond to guarantee its performance of the work according to approved plans.
Additional work is anticipated in the future as studies are completed.
Q10 -- Which government agency is responsible for oversight of Simplot operations?
Numerous state and federal government agencies are responsible for oversight of Smoky Canyon. The federal agencies include: Bureau of Land Management, Unites States Forest Service, Unites States Army Corp of Engineers, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the Environmental Protection Agency. State agencies include the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, Idaho Department of Lands, Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Idaho Department of Water Resources and the Idaho Fish and Game.
Q11 -- What happens to the area after active mining operations cease?
The J.R. Simplot Company has posted a multi-million dollar bond to assure the lands are fully reclaimed according to the requirements provided by the government agencies. Once the agencies have deemed the reclamation requirements met, the bond will be released and the lands returned to full management of the U.S. Forest Service. However, even prior to the release of the bond and the cessation of active mining, the Forest Service will manage the lands as they see fit in regards to public access, grazing, etc. Environmental monitoring will continue as required by the government agencies. Two examples of continued monitoring include,(but are not limited to), groundwater monitoring which is required as part of a legally binding consent order as well as fish tissue monitoring required as part of continuing mitigation monitoring.
Q12 -- Is selenium a human health hazard?
No, not in the concentrations present at Smoky Canyon. In fact, selenium is an essential nutrient. The concentrations being measured during monitoring at Smoky Canyon indicates that while selenium is elevated, there is no human health risk. This was confirmed in a study conducted in 2002 by an inter-agency government review. The results of this study can be accessed at: http://giscenter-ims.isu.edu/SISP/Area_Wide_Reports.html.
