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jameydeeA few days ago I was complaining about the nearby landfill...
Published - January, 31, 2006
Escambia wants landfill control
New law sought in dispute over Saufley Field site
Fredie Carmichael
@PensacolaNewsJournal.com
A new county ordinance is in the works that would give Escambia County officials more power to regulate construction and demolition debris landfills.
County Administrator George Touart said Monday that the county currently has no jurisdiction over such landfills and has no power to shut down problematic sites such as the one at Saufley Field. That site has been smoldering for more than two months and causing health concerns for local residents. Touart said county officials are drafting what would be the first ordinance in the state to give a county government more power in the matter, allowing them to control such things as fencing, debris height, water and air quality testing, and zoning issues.
They also are considering a measure that would allow the county to permit the sites and, possibly, shut them down if necessary.
"We're going to be leaders in the State of Florida for regulating (construction and demolition) pits," Touart said, adding that commissioners could vote on the issue in about a month.
Commissioner Mike Whitehead spearheaded the move to study the ordinance, he said.
"We're taking the bull by the horns," Touart said. "The misconception is that the county did not do something. But we don't permit landfills so we can't shut down something we can't even permit."
Residents near the Saufley Field site have protested fires at the dump since November. The Department of Environmental Protection Northwest District has given the owners of the landfill until Feb. 16 to extinguish the fires and reduce the landfill's height or face temporary closure and a $1,000-a-day fine.
Residents living within a two-mile radius of the Saufley site have complained that smoke from the fires penetrates their homes and cars.
The Escambia County Health Department has issued a health advisory warning that smoke may cause respiratory problems and irritate the eyes, nose and throat.
Frustrations grew last week with news that a construction and demolition debris landfill near Punta Gorda agreed to shut down operations and allow fire crews to come in and extinguish a dump blaze.
Glenna Chumley, spokeswoman for Saufley Field Citizens for Closing the Dump, a grassroots organization of private citizens working to get officials to resolve concerns about the landfill, said she was pleased to hear that the county is working to take control of the issue.
"I think it's a positive effort on the county's side," Chumley said. "Something has to be done."
The only agency with the power to shut down Saufley field is DEP, county officials said. Dick Fancher, director of the Northwest District, said operators of the dump have been responsive to concerns as of late and have vowed to make necessary changes.
Brennon Vinet, the landfill's president, said teams of private firefighters are on their way from Texas and Louisiana to help extinguish the smoldering debris.
Until then, DEP officials will monitor the site.
Once the teams and new equipment arrive, Vinet said the fires should be under control by the Feb. 16 deadline.
"I want these people to be happy and have a good life, and I'll go the extra mile to ensure their safety and security," he said of residents near the landfill.
Vinet said one of the company's long-term goals is to turn the Saufley site into a transfer station.
If changes aren't made, Fancher said DEP could force the site to stop taking in new debris and begin to fine the site $1,000 a day. And if officials decide to seek closure, he said DEP could revoke the landfill's permit or seek a temporary court injunction for them to stop operation.
But he's hopeful they will comply.
"It appears to us that they're doing a good job at addressing issues," Fancher said. "We're very hopeful that they will meet that deadline."
Regardless, using water to extinguish the smoldering may not be a viable option.
"If you go in and add a lot of water, that can produce some type of groundwater contamination issues," Fancher said. "It raises some real environmental issues. You may put out the fire, but you trade one problem for another."
Published - January, 31, 2006
Escambia wants landfill control
New law sought in dispute over Saufley Field site
Fredie Carmichael
@PensacolaNewsJournal.com
A new county ordinance is in the works that would give Escambia County officials more power to regulate construction and demolition debris landfills.
County Administrator George Touart said Monday that the county currently has no jurisdiction over such landfills and has no power to shut down problematic sites such as the one at Saufley Field. That site has been smoldering for more than two months and causing health concerns for local residents. Touart said county officials are drafting what would be the first ordinance in the state to give a county government more power in the matter, allowing them to control such things as fencing, debris height, water and air quality testing, and zoning issues.
They also are considering a measure that would allow the county to permit the sites and, possibly, shut them down if necessary.
"We're going to be leaders in the State of Florida for regulating (construction and demolition) pits," Touart said, adding that commissioners could vote on the issue in about a month.
Commissioner Mike Whitehead spearheaded the move to study the ordinance, he said.
"We're taking the bull by the horns," Touart said. "The misconception is that the county did not do something. But we don't permit landfills so we can't shut down something we can't even permit."
Residents near the Saufley Field site have protested fires at the dump since November. The Department of Environmental Protection Northwest District has given the owners of the landfill until Feb. 16 to extinguish the fires and reduce the landfill's height or face temporary closure and a $1,000-a-day fine.
Residents living within a two-mile radius of the Saufley site have complained that smoke from the fires penetrates their homes and cars.
The Escambia County Health Department has issued a health advisory warning that smoke may cause respiratory problems and irritate the eyes, nose and throat.
Frustrations grew last week with news that a construction and demolition debris landfill near Punta Gorda agreed to shut down operations and allow fire crews to come in and extinguish a dump blaze.
Glenna Chumley, spokeswoman for Saufley Field Citizens for Closing the Dump, a grassroots organization of private citizens working to get officials to resolve concerns about the landfill, said she was pleased to hear that the county is working to take control of the issue.
"I think it's a positive effort on the county's side," Chumley said. "Something has to be done."
The only agency with the power to shut down Saufley field is DEP, county officials said. Dick Fancher, director of the Northwest District, said operators of the dump have been responsive to concerns as of late and have vowed to make necessary changes.
Brennon Vinet, the landfill's president, said teams of private firefighters are on their way from Texas and Louisiana to help extinguish the smoldering debris.
Until then, DEP officials will monitor the site.
Once the teams and new equipment arrive, Vinet said the fires should be under control by the Feb. 16 deadline.
"I want these people to be happy and have a good life, and I'll go the extra mile to ensure their safety and security," he said of residents near the landfill.
Vinet said one of the company's long-term goals is to turn the Saufley site into a transfer station.
If changes aren't made, Fancher said DEP could force the site to stop taking in new debris and begin to fine the site $1,000 a day. And if officials decide to seek closure, he said DEP could revoke the landfill's permit or seek a temporary court injunction for them to stop operation.
But he's hopeful they will comply.
"It appears to us that they're doing a good job at addressing issues," Fancher said. "We're very hopeful that they will meet that deadline."
Regardless, using water to extinguish the smoldering may not be a viable option.
"If you go in and add a lot of water, that can produce some type of groundwater contamination issues," Fancher said. "It raises some real environmental issues. You may put out the fire, but you trade one problem for another."
