Gainesville, FL – After decades of environmental and health concerns voiced by Southeast Gainesville residents, the Alachua County Commission took a major step toward closing the Florence Construction and Demolition (C&D) Landfill. At a recent county meeting, residents delivered passionate testimonies detailing the landfill’s hazardous effects on their health, homes, and water supply. In response, commissioners unanimously passed a six-part motion directing county staff to take immediate action toward early closure of the landfill.
Residents Demand Action
Jessica Rockstein, a resident of the Kincaid Loop, delivered a powerful testimony on water contamination in the area. “I'm one of the wells on the chart that was tested, and my well tested high for lead and arsenic—both of them,” she said. “I have two children and a partner, so we've been drinking this water. We have a water filter now.” She directly challenged the commissioners: “Were you elected to protect his rights or our rights? And would you live in a house that had a dump 70 feet towering above you? Would you want your children to live in that house? Would you let your grandchildren drink that water and play next to that dump? If the answer is no, I think you have a clear answer of what we need you to do.”
Zach Whiteman, a local architect and Kincaid Loop resident, spoke on the dangers of construction and demolition waste. “These materials contain lead, heavy metals, adhesives, and glues,” he explained. “In the profession of architecture, it’s our responsibility to ensure people do not ingest or inhale these materials. C&D waste is just as harmful, if not worse, than other types of waste.”
Eddie Darby, a Southeast Gainesville resident for 40 years and former waste management worker, highlighted the landfill’s lack of oversight. “I’ve worked in this county for 54 years with every garbage truck that pretty much was in this county,” he said. “The Florence landfill—that is a dump. That’s not a landfill.” He compared it to better-managed landfills, such as in Oviedo, where spotters inspect loads for hazardous materials. “At Paul Florence landfill, they’re not going to do that. You roll off to their facility, and they don’t even look at what’s in the bottom. You’re going to have paint, all kinds of toxic waste. They don’t separate it. They just show you where to dump it, and that’s it.”
Other residents echoed concerns about the landfill’s impact on public health. Nkwanda Jah of the NAACP’s Environmental and Climate Justice Committee noted, “There is a high incidence of asthma in East Gainesville among children. Let’s take every precaution for our children.”
Suzmiche Morris detailed the landfill’s long history of violations, including a revoked permit in the 1980s due to numerous infractions. “Instead of fixing past violations, the landfill’s new owners made things worse, and the county revoked their permit again in the early 1990s,” she said. “The 1994 permit acknowledged that the landfill was inconsistent with the area’s residential character, but here we are 30 years later, and it’s still here.”
Johnell Gainey, a longtime advocate against the landfill, expressed frustration with the county’s inaction. “I’ve been coming to you all for seven years asking to get a dump moved out of my neighborhood,” he said. “Meantime, I watch Southwest Gainesville grow. I watch Northwest Gainesville grow. And then I go to my community, and it still looks the same. No other area of town looks the same except for Southeast Gainesville—my community.”
Finally, Brackin Camp, also a neighbor to the landfill, presented a petition signed by 218 neighbors requesting closure of the Florence Landfill due to the health hazards, dust, noise and roadway degradation posed by its continued operation.
County Commission Takes Action
Following these testimonies, the Alachua County Commission unanimously passed a six-part motion aimed at addressing the landfill’s impacts and exploring early closure. The motion directs county staff to:
- Monitor Air Quality: Develop and implement a plan to regularly monitor air conditions near the landfill, with findings reported within 60 days.
- Analyze Groundwater Data: Graph and assess recent groundwater data to determine contamination risks.
- Evaluate Traffic Control Measures: Review the feasibility of placing “no truck” signs in residential areas to reduce heavy truck traffic.
- Engage with Landfill Owners: Request that the landfill operators divert drywall waste to a facility in Palatka and explore an earlier closure timeline.
- Communicate with State Officials: Send a letter to Governor Ron DeSantis, the Alachua County Legislative Delegation, and state agencies outlining the county’s concerns.
- Develop a Closure Plan: Research and present what a landfill closure plan entails, with a report expected in 90 days.
Commissioner Ken Cornell, who introduced the motion, acknowledged the landfill’s incompatibility with the area’s zoning and comprehensive plan. “The landfill isn’t in compliance with the current comprehensive plan and it is incompatible with the area’s land use,” he stated.
Sierra Club Weighs In
Sarah Younger of the Sierra Club Suwannee-St. Johns Group applauded the commission's decision and emphasized the importance of using this closure as a model for future waste management reforms. “Our conclusion is the closure of this landfill presents an opportunity for new standards in waste management for Alachua County. This is an opportunity,” she said.
A Victory for Southeast Gainesville
This unanimous vote signals progress toward addressing decades of environmental injustice in Southeast Gainesville. Residents remain committed to ensuring the county follows through on its promises and prioritizes the health and safety of the community.
For more information and to support the effort to close the Florence C&D landfill, visit:
www.respectsoutheastgainesville.org