Press Release

MONSANTO WINS IACI’S 2004 ENVIRONMENTAL EXCELLENCE AWARD

BOISE - Monsanto, a Southeast Idaho phosphate mining and processing company, has won the Environmental Excellence Award presented June 21 by the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry at its annual conference in Sun Valley. Monsanto was nominated because of their innovative mining and reclamation practices which reduce and eliminate leaching of selenium from phosphate mining at their two mines, located about 19 miles northeast of Soda Springs. They have developed new mining techniques in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management, US Forest Service, Idaho Dept. of Lands and the Idaho Dept. of Environmental Quality. Monsanto's Soda Springs phosphate mining and processing operation produces phosphate that meets and exceeds the ultra-high 99.99 percent purity standard required for many high-technology end-products. Monsanto's phosphorus brightens teeth in toothpaste, makes bread rise, and adds the fizzle to soda pop.

"Monsanto employees have a bottom-to-top environmental ethic," said Orville Green, administrator of the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality's Waste and Remediation Division, and a member of the award selection committee. "I have been at their plant in Soda Springs, and have observed their environmental and conservation efforts first hand."

Sen. Skip Brandt, chairman of the Idaho Senate's Health and Welfare Committee, and also a selection committee member, said, "When Monsanto has a chance to meet with legislators, they emphasize reclamation and environmental initiatives. They definitely go above and beyond what is required by state and federal law."

Michael Vice, Reclamation Specialist for Monsanto in Soda Springs, said, "Through cooperation with the land management agencies and the public, Monsanto continually strives to be the best in restoring mined lands.

"Our work with agencies and environmental groups such as the Wildlife Habitat Council are what will keep mining a viable business with continued goals of environmental success. Going above and beyond the regulatory requirements not only improves the overall health and condition of the environment, but more importantly, it is the right thing to do," Vice said.

The criteria for the award include environmental practices, investment in pollution control, recovery from waste streams, conservation and other environmental achievements.

Dick Rush, IACI's vice president for Natural Resources, said the purpose of the award is to "provide recognition of businesses who, through innovative environmental leadership and accomplishment, have achieved outstanding results in environmental protections and enhancement. All nine companies nominated for the award have excellent environmental credentials."

An independent committee, chaired by Lynn McKee, former Director of the Boise Office of the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, made the selection. Other selection committee members - besides Green and Sen. Brandt - were Robbin Finch, Water Quality Manager for the City of Boise; and Ray Houston, Budget and Policy Analyst for Natural Resource Agencies for Idaho's Legislative Services Office.