FLORIDA: The State of Phosphate By GREG MARTIN and STEVE REILLY Staff Writers It all started in 1881 with the discovery of phosphate along the Peace River. Florida soils once rich in phosphate, however, have since been mined out as the industry continues to advance - inside DeSoto County and closer to Charlotte and Sarasota counties. The new front line is Hardee County, just up river, where officials are learning that the economic ramifications of mining can be devastating and costly to the environment. Sun reporters Greg Martin and Steve Reilly spent the better part of a month digging behind the scenes of the industry in the phosphate mining hot spot, Bone Valley. In a five-part series, they examine the history, the conflicts, the culture, the environmental concerns and the options for Florida: The State of Phosphate. Part One: Phosphate's Peace River roots Phosphate has many links to life Digging around Bone Valley County requests study about fish A phosphate ghost town Phosphate facts Part Two: Industry, Polk County achieve solid relationship The ABCs of phosphate Part Three: Phosphate's trek south Cummings hits streets with defensive plan Phosphate industry aims to be corporate neighbor Viewpoint: Phosphate influences run deep Part Four: Phosphate risks abound Phosphate mining alternatives suggested Part Five: Counties dig in for phosphate fight Cummings pitches phosphate fight Charlotte County Phosphate Action Plan