PCS signs a permit, but work must wait

PCS Phosphate in Aurora has signed a permit that could allow the company to continue mining in Eastern North Carolina, but officials said Tuesday that they are still waiting for additional regulatory approval before moving forward with that work.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency delayed for the second straight day its statement on the permit that the company received from the Army Corps of Engineers.  The agency had set itself a Monday deadline to make that statement. Just after 5 p.m. Tuesday, EPA spokesman Enesta Jones said that no decision had been made.

The Beaufort County mine employs approximately 1,000 workers, 40 percent of them from Craven and Pamlico counties.

In a prepared statement, the general manager of the Aurora plant thanked employees, elected officials and the communities "for their support in helping us reach this significant milestone."

General Manager Steve Beckel said: "After more than eight years in this permitting process, we are obviously pleased to have the 404 wetlands permit in hand."

The EPA still has the authority to veto the permit, according to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. The act "authorizes EPA to prohibit, restrict, or deny" the discharge of dredged or fill material in waters or wetlands of the U.S., according to the agency.

 The agency can make those prohibitions "whenever it determines ... that use of such sites for disposal would have an unacceptable adverse impact" on fisheries, wildlife, municipal water supplies, recreational areas or other resources.

PCS Phosphate is still waiting for mining permits and certifications from the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, authorizations that are necessary before the mining operation can expand. The company is also "awaiting an opportunity to review" any statement issued by the EPA.

Nikie Mayo can be reached at (252) 635-5665 or nmayo@freedomenc.com.