Rain erodes landfill cover
By Derek Pivnick
The Pensacola News Journal
PENSACOLA, FL - Recent downpours have caused serious erosion to the 2-foot layer of topsoil covering the troubled Saufley Landfill, threatening to put the dump further into legal trouble and possibly delaying its final closure.
The dump is filled with construction and demolition debris, most of which resulted from Hurricane Ivan destruction in September 2004. Its owners have been in hot water with the court, regulators and neighbors since a subterranean fire broke out there in November 2005.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection said last week in a letter to the landfill's lawyer, Steve Bowden, that the state will not sign off on the closure until all the issues are addressed.
Among the problems:
- Rain has caused serious erosion on every side of the mound of waste, washing some of the dirt onto Saufley Field and East Fence roads.
- The stormwater pond on the site appears to be full and may be clogged, preventing water from percolating as it should before it reaches the groundwater supply.
- The re-emergence of sulfur dioxide odor downwind from the landfill.
All are violations of a court order, DEP attorney Karen Bishop said in the warning letter. The problems must be fixed immediately and not recur, Bishop said.
If they are not addressed soon, the department may bring the landfill owners back to court.
Bowden could not be reached for comment.
Dan Kearsey, who lives near the landfill, said that some of the erosion exposed the trash underneath. He said he's seen workers trying to replace the washed-away dirt.
Kearsey, 76, said he walks daily and that the landfill has been a nuisance. At times, it caused the inside of his home to stink.
"I can't say that it made me sick or worsened my health any," Kearsey said.
Others have complained of health problems and blamed the dump.
In May, Escambia County Circuit Judge Terry Terrell declared the landfill's owner, Louisiana Investment Group LLC, in contempt of court and issued fines for its violations.
The total amount of fines hasn't been determined. They are accumulating daily, and have to be calculated and submitted to the court for final approval, DEP spokeswoman Sally Cooey said.
The Pensacola News Journal
PENSACOLA, FL - Recent downpours have caused serious erosion to the 2-foot layer of topsoil covering the troubled Saufley Landfill, threatening to put the dump further into legal trouble and possibly delaying its final closure.
The dump is filled with construction and demolition debris, most of which resulted from Hurricane Ivan destruction in September 2004. Its owners have been in hot water with the court, regulators and neighbors since a subterranean fire broke out there in November 2005.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection said last week in a letter to the landfill's lawyer, Steve Bowden, that the state will not sign off on the closure until all the issues are addressed.
Among the problems:
- Rain has caused serious erosion on every side of the mound of waste, washing some of the dirt onto Saufley Field and East Fence roads.
- The stormwater pond on the site appears to be full and may be clogged, preventing water from percolating as it should before it reaches the groundwater supply.
- The re-emergence of sulfur dioxide odor downwind from the landfill.
All are violations of a court order, DEP attorney Karen Bishop said in the warning letter. The problems must be fixed immediately and not recur, Bishop said.
If they are not addressed soon, the department may bring the landfill owners back to court.
Bowden could not be reached for comment.
Dan Kearsey, who lives near the landfill, said that some of the erosion exposed the trash underneath. He said he's seen workers trying to replace the washed-away dirt.
Kearsey, 76, said he walks daily and that the landfill has been a nuisance. At times, it caused the inside of his home to stink.
"I can't say that it made me sick or worsened my health any," Kearsey said.
Others have complained of health problems and blamed the dump.
In May, Escambia County Circuit Judge Terry Terrell declared the landfill's owner, Louisiana Investment Group LLC, in contempt of court and issued fines for its violations.
The total amount of fines hasn't been determined. They are accumulating daily, and have to be calculated and submitted to the court for final approval, DEP spokeswoman Sally Cooey said.
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