Piney Point

Members of the public can submit written comments about the proposal and attend a public meeting on Oct. 6 in Bradenton.

Newly appointed DEP secretary Shawn Hamilton says Piney Point can only handle another 11 inches of rain. But water is being piped out now, and a plan is in place if a hurricane threatens.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection says it's to "ensure safe storage capacities" during the rainy season.

Controlled releases of treated water may begin if levels in the ponds at the former phosphate plant continue to rise, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

About 267 million gallons are currently held in the structure, up from about 200 million gallons before the summer.

Once phosphate mines are used up, you can only build on them using special construction techniques that mitigate radon gas. Low levels of toxicity means they usually become preserves or cattle ranches. But several old mines in the Tampa Bay area have had a different fate.

The state is seeking the maximum allowable penalties and recovery of costs and damages from HRK Holdings.

Teams from Manatee County surveying damage found minor flooding along the Myakka River and the barrier islands, where some turtle nests were affected.

Emergency pumps have been installed to combat heavy rain and winds from the storm.

Several environmental advocacy groups sued last year to overturn the waiver, which would have allowed the use of the slightly radioactive waste in road construction.

The primary defendant is the state Department of Environmental Regulation, which allowed the plant's operators to refill the gypsum stack several years ago with sea water being dredged at nearby Port Manatee.

Business owners in Manatee County took their concerns to Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried.