Today, Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Herschel Vinyard entered a final order denying a permit request that would have threatened water supplies and significantly and negatively affected the community in East Pasco County.

In 2006, Angelo’s Aggregates applied for a permit to build a Class 1 landfill in rural, eastern Pasco County. The permit was challenged by a partnership of public and private interests including: Nestle Waters of North America, the City of Zephyrhills, The City of Tampa, residents Carl Roth, John Floyd, Louis Potenziano and Marvin Hall, and WRB Enterprises.

In the process Angelo’s was required to conduct studies to demonstrate that their planned landfill would not harm the environment. During that process it became clear that the land designated for the landfill was at a high risk for sinkholes. Were a significant sinkhole to open up under the landfill, Crystal Springs and the drinking water supplies for the entire region would be at risk.

As well, agricultural operations, surface water and other real and perceived threats would have negatively impacted resources and people in the area.

“This has been a long and challenging process. Throughout discovery and hearings the partners, the public, supporters and local governments remained focused on one thing: protecting the community, Crystal Springs and drinking water supplies from this very real threat,” said Doug Manson, MansonBolves law firm. “We are pleased that Secretary Vinyard ruled to deny the permit to protect the water resources.”

“This was a very challenging case,” said Brian Bolves, attorney and co-counsel from MansonBolves. “Many, many experts were questioned about the potential impacts to wildlife and water resources and there was considerable agreement: the landfill was not in the public interest and posed too great a threat.”

MansonBolves is a law firm offering a full range of services including water, environmental, administrative and governmental law, as well as business, contracting and construction. Representing both public and private interests, the firm helps navigate issues through the complex and sometimes conflicting government process.