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Landfill Proposal Discussed Saturday

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By NICOLA M. WHITE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 30, 2007

DADE CITY - For months, a proposed landfill has stirred debate in east Pasco County, where people have hoisted signs and packed public meetings to attack the plans of a company that wants to build a 90-acre facility off Enterprise Road.

Now, the landfill debate is picking up steam and heading to the west side of the county, Pasco's population center.

A forum that promises to weigh the pros and cons of the proposed waste management facility is set for 3 p.m. Saturday at the education center of Starkey Wilderness Park in New Port Richey.

The idea is to present both sides of the debate surrounding the planned landfill, which initially would cover 90 acres but could grow as large as 900 acres.

Representatives from Angelo's Aggregate Materials, the company pitching the landfill plan, and Protectors of Florida's Legacy, the group opposed to it, will speak. The forum is being hosted by the West Pasco Audubon Society.

The landfill is being proposed as Pasco County officials find themselves dealing with a growing trash problem and a waste-to-energy plant that is nearing capacity.

As residents continue to produce more garbage, the county has weighed expanding the trash-burning waste-to-energy plant and trucking garbage out of the county.

For the short term, the county has decided to ship trash to Osceola County.

Largo-based Angelo's thinks it has the solution to Pasco's long-term trash problems. The company already owns a construction debris landfill on the north side of Enterprise Road and has proposed building a household trash landfill. The state Department of Environmental Protection is reviewing its application.

Proponents say the landfill, which would use advanced technology to compost organic trash and would not accept hazardous waste, is a sensible and cheaper option than expanding the county's multimillion-dollar incinerator.

Critics argue that the proposed landfill's location, near the Green Swamp and Hillsborough River, doesn't fit with the east Pasco's mostly rural landscape.

IF YOU GO

A forum about the proposed landfill outside Dade City is set for 3 p.m. Saturday at the education center of Starkey Wilderness Park in New Port Richey, 10500 Wilderness Park Blvd. The forum is open to the public.

Reporter Nicola M. White can be reached at (813) 779-4613 or nwhite1@tampatrib.com.

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