The Charlotte County landfill has operated since 2006. Concerns about waste odor in nearby neighborhoods caused Commissioners to approach the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
SUN PHOTO BY GARY ROBERTS
MURDOCK — The Charlotte County Commission will send a second letter to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection about continued concerns of SLD Landfill’s odor and air pollution.
The landfill off Zemel Road is owned and operated by Waste Connections, a waste collection, disposal and recycling company.
Commissioners sent a notice earlier this year to FDEP about their concerns.
FDEP sent an amended consent order to SLD Recycling and Disposal Facility on March 30 to require the landfill to address environmental concerns and violations due to waste operations.
The drafted second letter states that 270 odor complaints have followed the March order, including 53 mentioning a “specific” odor July 27.
“We respectfully request that FDEP maintain vigilant oversight of the SLD Facility and ensure compliance with all aspects of the Order,” the letter states. “We further ask that FDEP take prompt and appropriate enforcement action if additional violations occur.”
During a regular meeting Tuesday, representatives from the Homeowners Against Landfill Odors spoke during public input about the draft letter.
“For the last decade, the SLB landlord has admitted odors that affect not only the drivers on Highway 41 and the health quality of life and property values of existing residents, but they also affect the potential sales of many new homes near the landfill,” Kim Kitko said.
Kitko said odor violations continue to occur despite the consent order.
“It might also be helpful to ask the FDEP for a briefing concerning SLD’s compliance and enforcement history as well as regular updates to the board and county staff until SLD complies with the law,” Kitko said.
Kitko said the County Commission should send SLD a letter as well. The sentiment was shared by HALO members Michael Brown and Jeff Weigele.
Commissioners approved the draft letter to be sent to the FDEP and will meet with the county attorney to discuss sending a separate letter to SLD.
SLD Landfill is Charlotte County’s main waste disposal facility. It is at 29751 Zemel Road in Punta Gorda.