Piney Point cleared to accept dredging

MANATEE -- The former Piney Point phosphates site began taking on new dredge material around 9:30 a.m. after state environmental officials approved repairs and a monitoring plan.

The reservoirs, formed from the site’s gypsum stacks, began leaking in May and forced the emergency release of about 169 million gallons of water.

Port Manatee had contracted with the site’s owner, HRK Holdings, to use the reservoirs for collecting and filtering material dredged from its Berth 12 expansion. But the leaks forced the project to shut down on June 4.

Under the plan, dredging will run for 36 hours, then halt for 12 hours while HRK monitors water levels. If they find no problems, the dredging will run for longer periods between scheduled checks.

This story was originally published July 22, 2011 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Piney Point cleared to accept dredging."