Ag groups endorse proposed Monsanto mine 

The Idaho Farm Bureau Federation, Food Producers of Idaho, Idaho Grain Producers Association and Idaho Sugarbeet Growers Association have endorsed Monsanto’s proposed Blackfoot Bridge Mine, saying it would allow for continued domestic production of speciality herbicides that help farmers produce food more efficiently.

Monsanto’s three-furnace elemental phosphorus plant near Soda Springs helps supply the key ingredient used in the production of its popular Roundup herbicide.

The four agriculture groups said they support the Bureau of Land Management’s “preferred alternative” outlined in BLM’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the mine, which would disturb about 740 acres of private land and 74 acres of BLM land.

The alternative sets strict environmental safeguards and reclamation standards for the mine, including the use of a laminated geosynthetic clay liner to cover and contain selenium in waste rock and protect the Blackfoot River from detectable increases in selenium.   

The mine would replace Monsanto’s South Rasmussen Ridge Mine, which supplies a million tons of annual phosphate to Monsanto’s Soda Springs plant. Its ore is expected to be exhausted by 2013. The Blackfoot Bridge ore is expected to last 15 years.

Idaho Farm Bureau President Frank Priestly said Roundup is a valuable tool that helps American farmers feed the world. “This is the only source of elemental phosphorus in the United States. Without it, we will have to rely on China. That’s one reason we’re encouraging our members to become familiar with the project and submit comments on the project to the BLM,” Priestly said.

On its Web site, the Idaho Farm Bureau notes Monsanto is Caribou County’s largest employer with 375 people working directly for Monsanto and 395 working for mine, plant maintenance, security and other contractors. In 2006, it paid $29.4 million in annual payroll and benefits.

“Monsanto's wages are sufficiently high that it boosts the average wage rate in Caribou County to the third highest county average wage rate in the state of Idaho,” said Trent Clark, Monsanto’s public and government affairs director, noting Ada and Butte counties are the two highest.

Scott Brown, vice president of the Idaho Grain Producers Association, said Monsanto’s Blackfoot Bridge Mine is doubly important in that Monsanto not only provides good-paying jobs and a solid tax base, but its glyphosphate-based herbicides also help farmers stay competitive and efficient.

Brown said another factor in supporting the project is the fact the BLM and Idaho Department of Environmental Quality took Monsanto’s mining proposal and upgraded it to ensure selenium is contained and the environment is protected.

“It’s clear Monsanto and the agencies are taking extra measures to protect the environment, and particularly water quality,” he added. “I farm near the mine, so I have a direct stake in its safety.”

The Food Producers of Idaho represents more than 20 Idaho farm organizations. FPI Executive Director Rick Waitley said world population figures will be staggering by 2025 and beyond.

“The treasure of the Blackfoot Bridge Mine is key to meeting the food production needs of the future. Agriculture around the world looks to this resource to meet the future food supply need,” Waitley said.

Mark Duffin of the Idaho Sugarbeet Growers Association said the Blackfoot Bridge Mine represents where modern agriculture and environmentally sound mining intersect to benefit the public. “The old saying that, ‘If it can’t be grown, it has to be mined,’ really applies to this project,” Duffin said.

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