Subject:
Title
Request the Board of County Commissioners to provide direction to staff regarding the US Army Corp of Engineer Environmental Resource Permit signature.
End
Fiscal Impact:
The fiscal impacts are detailed in the Report based on available options.
Dept/Office:
Solid Waste Management Department
Requested Action:
Recommendation
It is requested that the Board of County Commissioners provide direction to the Solid Waste Management Department about signing the US Army Corp of Engineer ERP Permit for the US192 Project or give other direction to the Department regarding the disposal of Class III materials in the south area of the county.
End
Summary Explanation and Background:
The Financial Responsibility & Long-Term Care Estimates report submitted to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection in August 2020 estimates that the Sarno Road Class III landfill will run out of disposal capacity in January 2023. In March 2019 the Solid Waste Management Department received the Environmental Resource Permit from the US Army Corps of Engineers for development of a Class III solid waste management facility at the US192 site. In April 2019 the Board of County Commissioners directed staff to delay signing of the permit and bring it back to the Board in 90 days. In July 2019 the Board tabled the matter pending receipt of additional information regarding the replacement of the Sarno Road Landfill including possible acquisition of the privately-owned Melbourne Landfill. In October 2019 additional information was provided to the Board, however the information was considered insufficient to formulate a decision regarding the Sarno Landfill, and the proposed US 192 Class III landfill.
Under Board direction staff have since collected additional property appraisals, environmental assessments, financial and economic data, and other information to assist in the Board’s decision making for the next course of action. A detailed report regarding the Melbourne Landfill is attached. The Board had previously scheduled a Workshop to be held on January 21, 2021 to review all available information, to discuss options and provide staff needed direction regarding future Class III disposal. Based on the costs associated with possibly acquiring the privately-owned Melbourne Landfill as outlined in the report, as well as other information in the report, the possibility exists that the Board may be able to provide the needed direction based on this agenda report and cancel the workshop as it would no longer be needed.
To that end staff has outlined below various optional direction the Board could consider at this time:
Option 1) Proceed with final permitting activity and construction of the US 192 Class III landfill including, signing and returning the Environmental Resource Permit culminating in the development of the US192 site. Previous economic analyses have demonstrated that development of the US192 site gives the longest lifespan and lowest cost-per-cubic-yard-of-capacity of all analyzed alternatives. The Board has previously expressed concern regarding the appearance of a landfill as tourists enter Brevard County from Osceola County. Prior to halting design activities related to the development of the US192 site, a landscape architect provided detailed depictions of the proposed landscaping design along US192, showing how the design layout blocks visibility of the landfill from US192. The landscape rendering includes the Class III landfill at full design capacity, which is 202 acres with a height of 311 feet above sea level. The proposed Cell One to be initially constructed is 28 acres with a maximum height of 106 feet above sea level (or about 81 feet high above existing ground surface). With the site frontage landscaping installed as part of the initial site development and infrastructure construction, further construction and operation of the Class III landfill would not be visible from US192. The Board may choose to move forward on this option, placing an overall 106-foot elevation restriction (81 feet above ground surface) on the entire Class III landfill construction which, will result in a life expectancy of about 35 years. This option would eliminate the need for the January 21, 2021 Board Workshop on Solid Waste.
Option 2) Redirect all Class III solid waste to the Central Disposal Facility.
While costlier than Option 1, when the Sarno Road Class III landfill reaches full capacity in 2023, redirect all Class III waste generated in the South Service Area to be disposed in a different location (not US192). If redirecting the waste to the Central Disposal Facility Class I landfill was performed utilizing the existing Sarno Road Transfer Station, the result would be an increased cost due to more wear-and-tear on the transfer station and associated fleet and equipment, a reduction in the lifespan of the Central Disposal Facility Class I landfill, an increase in queuing time at the Central Disposal Facility, and an increase in disposal costs. Redirecting Class III traffic directly to the Central Disposal Facility (rather than the transfer station) would result in lower maintenance costs for the County but would also result in higher costs and longer haul and queue times for individual commercial customers and residents and would still cause a shorter lifespan of the Class I landfill. This option would allow for the Solid Waste Workshop to be cancelled.
Option 3) Other direction by the Board.
Clerk to the Board Instructions: