Environmental groups join to fight landfill

DADE CITY — A group of environmental organizations along the Withlacoochee River have organized to oppose the proposed landfill southeast of Dade City.

The newly organized Withlacoochee River Alliance is urging the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to reject the permit applications for the facility.

Angelo's Aggregate Materials has submitted permit applications to DEP for a landfill on a site that would be less than a mile from the Withlacoochee River and next to the Hillsborough River and the headwaters of the Green Swamp. The landfill would cover 1,069 acres and has been designed to initially take up to 3,000 tons of household waste per day. The proposed landfill would sit near a former landfill operated by the county.

The Alliance is a coalition of organizations working to protect water quality and quantity, wildlife habitat and the ecological health of the river. Members of the Alliance that have joined Protectors of Florida's Legacy in Pasco County to oppose the landfill include Environmental Alliance of North Florida, Floridan Aquifer Legal Defense Organization, Florida Defenders of the Environment, Gulf Restoration Network, Hernando County Audubon Society, Rainbow River Conservation Inc., and Withlacoochee Area Residents.

DEP spokeswoman Pam Vazquez said the deadline to decide whether to issue a permit for the landfill is Friday, but officials have asked Angelo's for an extension. Without an extension, the two-week window to challenge the decision runs through the holidays, which has upset some landfill opponents.

A spokeswoman for Angelo's said they have agreed to an extension, making the new deadline Jan. 12.

Lisa Buie can be reached at buie@sptimes.com or (813) 909-4604.