Commissioners write final chapter on dirty dirt

Two weeks ago, they let the matter drop without a vote.

On Tuesday, the Highlands County commissioners were firm - even though it was a 3-2 vote. They said no to the Florida Turnpike's contaminated dirt.

In January, Florida's Turnpike Enterprise asked to bring contaminated dirt from seven convenience stations it planned to excavate and rebuild.

To County Administrator Michael Wright and Solid Waste Director Ken Wheeler, it was a no-brainer: about 5,000 truckloads of petroleum-contaminated dirt would be trucked to the Highlands County landfill from across the state. The landfill would aerate it - spread it and turn it several times so the wind and the sun would evaporate the diesel, motor oil and gasoline.

The landfill already accepts contaminated soil, Wright pointed out Tuesday. When diesel spilled from the county asphalt plant - which sits in the shadow of the landfill - that dirt went onto the landfill. So did the diesel-contaminated soil from a recent city of Avon Park spill.

Once the soil was decontaminated, it would be used daily to cover garbage. Best of all, Wheeler and Wright said, the turnpike would pay the county up to $1 million in fees.

"It's dirt," said citizen Ray Napper. "It's a tested procedure. And it's what our landfill was designed for."

Four other citizens were against accepting the dirt.

"It's 90 percent emotion," reasoned Jack Richie, chairman of the Highlands County Homeowners Association. That's why people are against it.

He went to the landfill to look at the two spills. He could hardly smell the asphalt plant dirt, which was contaminated four months ago.

Household and business chemicals and paint which come to the Highlands County landfill each day are worse than the petroleum-contaminated soil, Wright has said.

The issue was brought to the commission again because Raymond Ashe, who represents the turnpike, convinced Commissioner Guy Maxcy. Maxcy and Don Bates voted against Jeff Carlson's motion, Commissioners Barbara Stewart and Edgar Stokes voted for it.

Street paving

In an unrelated item, the county engineer and the road and bridge department asked the county to consider establishing a dirt road paving program.

Citizens could petition the county to pave their street, if the commissioners pass the program outlined by Engineer Ramon Gavarrete and Road and Bridge Supervisor Kyle Green. Residents would pay for the materials; the county would supply the labor.

Four commissioners said they'd like to hear more. Carlson said he was surprised the commission would take up a new program when there's not enough money to maintain current roads.

However, Bates warned, the county is putting only $1 million a year in the program, which is enough to pave only one mile.