The Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Drinking Water and Aquifer Protection Program is holding an open house public meeting to which all persons are invited. During this public meeting, representatives of both DEP and the applicant (Mosaic Fertilizer, LLC, or Mosaic) will be available to answer questions and provide information about a draft underground injection control permit (File No. 0441607-001-UC-1EX, WACS ID 108119).
This draft permit proposes to authorize the construction of a Class V, Group 9, exploratory well at the Mosaic Plant City Facility, located at 10609 Paul S. Buchman Highway, Plant City, Florida, 33565, in Hillsborough County. The proposed exploratory well is designed to be constructed to a total depth of 8,000 feet below land surface. Injection or disposal of wastewater is not authorized under this draft permit. Information from the exploratory well would be used to provide additional information to evaluate the suitability of the subsurface geology and confinement for potential underground injection activities. Any underground injection of wastewater would require a separate permit authorization.
Mosaic applied for the permit on Oct. 17, 2023. The draft permit was issued on Nov. 22, 2024, and the Notice of Draft Permit was published in the Tampa Bay Times on Dec. 4, 2024. The draft permit has been noticed following an extensive review of plans by DEP, including engineering and geology professionals.
More information on the draft permit or a copy of the public meeting's agenda may be obtained by contacting Richard Lobinske, DEP Drinking Water and Aquifer Protection Program, by U.S. mail at 2600 Blair Stone Road, MS 3530, Tallahassee, FL, 32399-2400, by phone at 850-245-8655 or by email at app@dep.state.fl.us. Written public comments can be submitted during the public meeting, or can be sent to Richard Lobinske as listed above through Friday, March 14, 2025. Those wishing to enter oral comments into the record at the public meeting will be able to do so on an individual basis at an oral comment station. All comments received through March 14, 2025, will be considered in formulation of DEP's final decisions regarding permit issuance and shall be addressed as provided in Rule 62-528.330, F.A.C.
Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, handicap or marital status. Persons who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or persons who require translation services (free of charge) are asked to contact the Department's Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Coordinator at 850-245-2118 or LEP@FloridaDEP.gov at least ten (10) days before the meeting. If you have a hearing or speech impairment, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 800-955-8771 (TDD) or 800-955-8770 (voice).
