County requests study about fish

The Charlotte County Commission this week joined other area counties and groups in calling for a federal study to determine the impact of phosphate mining on the Charlotte Harbor estuary.

In a letter approved as part of the county commission's agenda Tuesday, the county asked Tom Bigford, chief of the National Marine Fisheries Service habitat conservation office in Silver Spring, Maryland to launch the study.

Such a study is mandated by a law passed by Congress in 1995, according to the letter. The so-called Magnuson-Stevens Act amended the Clean Water Act to require the studies whenever federal actions would impact an "essential fish habitat."

The county cites the fact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is poised to take action on a half-dozen pending phosphate mine permits. They include ones for IMC Phosphates' Four Corners, Manson-Jenkins and Ona mines, Farmland Hydro's Oak Creek Mine and CF Industries South Pasture Mine.

Essential fish habitats are waters that are crucial for certain important species, including snook, redfish, snapper, trout, mackerel, stone crabs and shrimp, according to federal guidelines.

Most of the listed species are found in Charlotte Harbor, which has been designated a national estuary for its significance.

The fishing industry of Southwest Florida is highly dependent on estuaries, since more than 70 percent of Florida's commercially and recreationally valuable fish and shellfish must spend some part of their lives within the estuary, according to the Southwest Florida Aquatic Preserves office on Pine Island.

"If this is not an essential fish habitat, nothing is," said Bill Byle, Charlotte County natural resources planner.

Byle, months ago, asked Bigford if he plans to launch the study. However, Bigford replied that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which is considering issuing permits for some 70,000 acres in more phosphate mines, determined that no such study is needed because the estuary will likely suffer no direct adverse impacts from the mining.

However, Byle pointed out that the law requires a study whenever estuaries are threatened by both direct and indirect impacts.

According to Byle, the mining could reduce the flow of fresh water into the estuary. The flow of freshwater is crucial for an estuary. Many juvenile fish need a mix of fresh water and salt water.

Other groups sending letters include the Environmental Confederation of Southwest Florida, Save the Manatee Club, Conservancy of Southwest Florida, Sanibel Capitva Conservation Foundation, Lee County and several area Audubon chapters.

The Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program, Sarasota County and the Coastal Conservation Association are also considering sending the letters.

Bigford could not be reached for comment.

By GREG MARTIN
Staff Writer