Turning Piney Point from Legacy Pollution to a Potential Sanctuary

Piney Point is currently on track for closure by 2026. The long-term plan involves stabilizing the site, and then the priority should be for it to be permanently sealed and never used again. This isn’t just a formality—it’s a non-negotiable.

However, there have been concerns and speculation in the community that, instead of shutting the well down for good, the county or other entities might consider leasing it out to companies for their own polluted water disposal. If such a proposal were to materialize, it could be a major setback for the community.

Piney Point has already caused enough damage, and even the possibility of repurposing the well for waste disposal would only add to its disastrous legacy. The well should be cemented off—sealed completely—so it can never be used again, nor should any others be built. Future commissioners elected in November will play a pivotal role in these decisions, making it crucial to elect leaders committed to ensuring Piney Point’s closure, with NO EXCEPTIONS.

While Piney Point has secured funding for its current closure plans, there is a possibility that financial resources could diminish in the future. Without dedicated oversight and leadership, there’s a risk that cost-cutting measures or new proposals could open the door to repurposing. Piney Point needs continuous oversight and should not be turned into a commercial opportunity—not even for projects like solar farms, as the clay-like sediment is not solid enough for continuous weight.  The long-term vision proposal should be to transform Piney Point into a bird sanctuary—a place where nature can thrive without the specter of future development.

The Model Stack: A Promising Vision for Restoration

One of the most promising developments at Piney Point is the creation of a "model stack" that showcases what the transformation can achieve. The stack is a lined pit that was once full of polluted water mixed with sediment, taken from the expansion of Port Manatee and poured into the stack. The water is treated multiple times before being injected into the deep saline aquifer through the well, but the sediment is not disposed of in this manner.

Instead, the sediment is combined with a polymer and placed into porous geotextile tubes, known as geo-tubes. These tubes are stacked on top of each other horizontally within the lined stack. Since the tubes are porous, water is gradually squeezed out and flows as runoff, which is reclaimed and contained for further treatment. The sediment inside the tubes solidifies into a muddy mass that becomes harder over time, though not solid enough to support continuous weight, such as that required for solar farms. However, advancements in solar farm technology may change this in the future.

Once the stack is full of geo-tubes, it is covered with another liner, followed by layers of sand, soil, and vegetation to attract wildlife. This approach creates an environment that supports local wildlife, and the entire process will be monitored for decades to ensure safety and stability. The model stack has already become a beautiful area that serves as a bird habitat, with over 99 bird species sighted and identified at the Piney Point site, as documented on their website—a testament to the progress made and the potential for further positive transformation.

The staff has worked diligently to ensure the success of these remediation efforts, and this model stack is proof of their commitment to doing things right. The area has become a safe haven for birds, demonstrating how Piney Point can become a thriving sanctuary if appropriately managed. Perhaps it can be utilized for research and birdwatchers under controlled access.  This can not be used as a public sanctuary, avoiding high levels of ingress or human traffic.

The Leadership Behind Piney Point's Remediation

Mr. Donica, the attorney assigned to oversee the bankruptcy conservatorship, left his law practice to focus entirely on Piney Point, making this project his legacy. He is fully committed to doing what’s right, ensuring the site's safe closure and transformation. During a recent meeting, Donica praised Governor DeSantis for being genuinely concerned and committed to the future of Piney Point. While I’m not typically a fan of Governor DeSantis, I was pleasantly surprised to hear something positive about his involvement in this project.

The entire team working on Piney Point is dedicated to getting things done right. Many of them live in the surrounding community, and they understand firsthand the importance of successfully closing and restoring the site. We are fortunate to have a leadership team and staff who are focused on correcting what has gone so wrong in the past.

My Initial Concerns and Changed Perspective

When I first visited Piney Point, I expected to see a toxic, hazardous site. I imagined brown sludge, foul odors, and maybe even needing hazmat suits just to get close. But that’s not what I saw. As I toured the site with Jeff Barath, the site manager, and Rob Brown, a retired county environmental manager, I was surprised to find clear water—no foul smells or clouded surfaces. The treated water being injected into the deep saline aquifer is actually cleaner than the water that’s already down there. However, to mitigate any risk of future contamination, the well must be permanently sealed off with cement.

The 2021 Incident: A Catalyst for Change

On March 25, 2021, I received a text warning about an imminent threat at Piney Point—a phosphate stack leak that I envisioned could unleash a "tsunami of polluted water." The worst didn’t happen, but the reality was still dire. To prevent a catastrophic breach, 215 million gallons of polluted water were released into Tampa Bay, causing immense environmental and economic damage. Dead fish washed up onshore, a foul stench filled the air, and many people fell ill. The nutrients from the spill fueled a red tide that spread along the Gulf Coast, killing more than 600 tons of marine life. This incident underscored the need for leadership that prioritizes environmental safety and holds companies accountable.

HRK Holdings: Accountability and Fines

HRK Holdings, the company responsible for managing Piney Point, has long been at the center of mismanagement issues. Following a breach in 2011, HRK had entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy, allowing to operate its business while paying off its debt.

After the 2021 breach, five environmental groups sued HRK Holdings, and its legal counsel withdrew from the case. This left the company unrepresented in court, resulting in a default judgment. U.S. District Judge William Jung ruled that HRK had violated the Clean Water Act by discharging pollutants into Tampa Bay without a valid permit. As reported by Jesse Mendoza of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, HRK was fined $846,900—an amount based on 15 days of unpermitted discharges at the maximum penalty rate of $56,460 per day under federal law. However, this fine is woefully inadequate compared to the more than $150 million in taxpayer dollars that have been spent on cleanup and the ongoing environmental costs of the spill.

The impact of HRK’s negligence goes beyond financial penalties. The company operated without a valid Clean Water Act permit for over 20 years. Although it was subject to a Administrative Order by the FDEP including site inspections and periodic reporting,  HRK was non-compliant. This long-standing gap in oversight allowed HRK to continue operations. With little accountability, and the community is still dealing with the consequences of this regulatory lapse.

Water Treatment and Deep Well Injection: A Temporary Solution

During my tour, I learned about the complex water treatment system at Piney Point. Contaminated water is cleaned through various processes and then injected 3,000 feet underground into a deep saline aquifer. While this process is said to ensure that the water is cleaner than what’s in the deep aquifer, it’s not without its risks. The geological layers above and below the aquifer provide natural barriers. Although it sounds harrowing, this approach is still the best solution. But once Piney Point is done, the only resource needs to be permanently capping the well and ensuring that it is never repurposed for other waste disposal projects.

Dredging, Sediment Containment, and the Role of Leadership

To fully understand Piney Point, it's crucial to know that the site's history is marred by a series of missteps, including the use of sediment from the Port of Manatee expansion, which was placed in phosphate ponds. During the cleanup, the contaminated sediments must now be separated from the water, which is treated and then injected into the aquifer. The sediment is combined with a polymer and placed in porous tubes, allowing the water to be squeezed out, leaving a more stable, solidified material. These tubes are stacked within a lined phosphate stack and then topped with sand, soil, and vegetation, which attracts wildlife.

I feared the stacks would overflow with Hurricane Milton, but that did not happen. Although some buildings on the site were damaged, there was no overflow from the stacks. Under Donica's leadership, the capacity to hold rainwater has increased from 8.5 inches to 7.5 feet—this is phenomenal and means Piney Point handled the rainfall from Hurricanes Helene and Milton much better than any of the other phosphate mining facilities in Florida.

Transforming the Stacks into Vegetative Buffers

The remediation plan at Piney Point involves a sediment management strategy using porous geotextile tubes. Contaminated sediment from the phosphate stacks is dredged and pumped into large, porous tubes. As the sediment settles inside, excess water drains out, leaving behind a solid mass. The tubes are then covered with a top liner, then layers of clean soil and native vegetation. This vegetative cover acts as a natural filtration system, stabilizing the stacks and reducing rainwater infiltration. As vegetation grows, it could support local wildlife and turn the site into a thriving ecosystem. The ultimate goal proposed by some is to transform Piney Point into a sanctuary for native plants and birds.

A Restricted Sanctuary: Limited Access for Science and Conservation

The long-term vision for Piney Point proposed by advocates isn’t to open it up to the public but to create a restricted sanctuary. Access would be limited, with permits required for birdwatchers, researchers, and conservationists. This way, the site remains undisturbed, allowing native flora and fauna to thrive. Controlled access would also ensure that Piney Point remains a space for scientific research and conservation, free from the pressure of human activities and commercial interests. It’s about providing a space for nature to heal and for scientists to study how the area can continue its recovery.

Jeff’s Commitment: The Stethoscope Story

One story that sticks with me is Jeff’s dedication to ensuring safety at the site. With no specialized leak detection equipment on hand, Jeff bought a stethoscope from a drugstore and went around checking the stack seams for leaks. It’s this kind of hands-on effort and creativity that gives me confidence in the current team’s dedication, even as I worry about the long-term solutions.

The Vision for Piney Point: From Pollution to Sanctuary

Jeff and Rob’s vision for Piney Point’s future is to turn it into a bird sanctuary with no future commercial or residential development. With its long history of pollution, Piney Point could be transformed into a place of beauty and biodiversity. Birds, tortoises, and other wildlife could call it home, and it could serve as a place for scientists to study how nature reclaims disturbed sites. It’s not just about closing a chapter—it’s about writing a new one, a story of resilience and recovery.

A Call to Stay Vigilant

The progress at Piney Point is promising, but the community cannot afford to become complacent. The wells need to be appropriately sealed, and the site should be monitored to prevent any commercial interests from exploiting it. This is a chance to turn a troubled legacy into a story of hope—a transformation everyone can be proud of.

By voting for the right leaders and pushing for a closure plan that protects future generations, the community can ensure Piney Point’s legacy is one of recovery, not more pollution. Let’s work together to ensure this story ends with a bird sanctuary, not another disaster.

More info on Piney Point can be found at https://www.pineypointreceivership.com/

Sari Lindroos-Valimaki was the 2024 Democratic Party candidate for Manatee County Commission District 7.