By Staff
Asks lawmakers to help get permit
By TED STRONG
Staff Writer
The Beaufort County Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted a resolution Tuesday night asking North Carolina’s congressional delegation to help PCS Phosphate get a permit it needs to expand its Aurora facility.
The resolution asks the delegation’s members to urge three federal agencies not to appeal the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer’s decision on the permit, which is expected soon.
Such an appeal would further delay the permit by shifting the decision from Wilmington to Washington, D.C.
The three agencies are the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Fish an Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service.
County Manager Paul Spruill told the commissioners the mine-and-plant complex near Aurora is perilously close to imposing layoffs. It is also the county’s largest employer.
Commissioner Hood Richardson asked that the issue also be put on the agenda for the board’s October meeting so commissioners may consider a more strongly worded resolution.