As previously reported by The Florida Independent, state Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, will be speaking to the Pasco County Board of Commissioners tomorrow, opposing a controversial landfill permit that could have an adverse effect on surrounding environmentally sensitive lands.
Fasano is set to address specific reasons why the permit application should be denied and, according to his chief legislative aide, Greg Giordano, the senator will also be asking the county to take a stance on the issue. ”It is Sen. Fasano’s hope that if the county commission decides to take a stand against the landfill that will be the final push the [Florida Department of Environmental Protection] needs to turn down the application for a second time,” says Giordano.
Angelo’s Aggregate Materials’ request for a 30-acre permit (with the option to expand the landfill by 60 acres, over time) has been met with intense scrutiny — mostly because a similar permit request by the company in 2006 was denied because of potentially harmful environmental effects.
Critics have expressed concerns that the proposal might now be approved under the new head of the state Department of Environmental Protection, Rick Scott appointee Herschel Vinyard. Fasano recently met with Vinyard to discuss the proposed permit.
“Sen. Fasano met with DEP Secretary Vinyard during the secretary’s recent visit to the area and discussed the landfill with him,” says Giordano. “The secretary mentioned that if the county commission took a stand on the landfill it would help the department as it makes its decision on the application review.”
