No one wants a landfill in their backyard. But this isn’t a simple NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) issue. Recognizing the potential negative impact this landfill could have on the entire region – and considering we don’t need it – it just makes no sense. .
Angelo’s proposed landfill is located next to a critical recharge area for Central Florida’s water supply. It’s also a conservation area that millions of your tax dollars helped create.
The proposed site would place the landfill right next three watersheds: the Withlacoochee River, the Hillsborough River and the Green Swamp. It also would be adjacent to the Green Swamp conservation area.
This landfill could pollute the region’s drinking water supply and endanger the health and safety of regional wildlife.
If anything were to contaminate one of these watersheds, the repercussions would be felt well beyond the backyards of Pasco County residents.
The Hillsborough River serves as a drinking water source for the entire Tampa Bay region, and the Green Swamp is a critical recharge source for the Floridan Aquifer, which supplies water to much of the state. The health and safety of an entire ecosystem would be in jeopardy, as well as the water supply for millions of residents of Central Florida.
Allowing this private landfill to be built in such a sensitive and critical natural area poses a significant public risk with no real benefit. The public takes the risk while Angelo’s accrues the financial benefit.
Risking wildlife and recreation would be an irresponsible gamble.
