Landfill supporters say it would save millions

The proposal's backers rebut cost and pollution complaints to San Antonio city commissioners.

By MOLLY MOORHEAD
Published July 5, 2007

SAN ANTONIO - For every possible downside to a proposed new landfill, John Arnold had a positive answer.

Pollution, cost, traffic. All have been addressed, Arnold said.

A month after opponents of the 92-acre landfill proposed near Dade City made their argument to San Antonio city commissioners, backers from Angelo's Aggregate Materials had their say Tuesday night.

The Class 1 landfill, referred to in company literature as an "organic composting and recycling center," would accept all types of household garbage -- about 3,000 tons a day.

Arnold, Angelo's project manager, spoke before another packed commission chambers.

He said the county would reap a savings of $519-million over 22 years if the landfill is allowed to be built off U.S. 98 between Enterprise and Messick roads. That's in contrast to the $350-million he said it would cost to expand Pasco's incinerator. And that savings, he said, could help pay for household recycling bins, which would feed the recycling center Angelo's plans to build.

"We strongly encourage (curbside recycling) because the quality of our compost directly depends on it," he said.

The environmental impact of the landfill -- possibly the aspect most alarming to residents -- would be minimal too, Arnold said.

He held up sheets of black liner that would cover the bottom of the site. That liner, he said, would sit on top of 5 feet of clay, keeping the garbage from ever tainting the aquifer below.

"This is an environmental standard that cannot be bested," Arnold said.

Commissioners and residents asked him a few questions, and Carl Roth, one of the leading opponents, spoke briefly.

Just like last month, debate was polite. Roth emphasized the impact of garbage truck traffic on roads, which he said will be shared every day by thousands of kids on school buses.

"We believe that's going to be a continued concern," he said.

The landfill application is under review by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

[Last modified July 4, 2007, 20:21:34]