As of today, February 28, 2026, the ongoing situation surrounding the Florence Landfill in Lafayette County is stirring up significant concern among local residents and environmental advocates. On December 9, 2025, the operators of the landfill submitted an application to extend their state operating permit for an additional five years. However, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) has yet to approve this request. Instead, on December 23, 2025, the FDEP issued a Request for Additional Information (RAI), highlighting that the landfill is not in compliance with various environmental regulations.
The operators had a 90-day window to revise their application according to the FDEP’s requirements. They responded to the RAI on February 9, 2026, but the FDEP now has 30 days to review this response. During this period, community members and supporters are encouraged to voice their concerns by submitting letters or emails opposing the permit application. The RAI details numerous areas where the landfill fails to meet compliance standards, including alarming data that indicates rising contaminants in local groundwater.
Taking Action
Local authorities, including Alachua County, have already taken a stand by sending a formal letter to the FDEP urging the rejection of the landfill’s permit application. This highlights the growing unease about the landfill’s impact on surrounding communities and the environment. Residents can make their voices heard by sending written comments, whether handwritten or typed, to the following address:
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
8800 Baymeadows Way West, Suite 100
Jacksonville, FL 32256
or via email at brian.durden@FloridaDEP.gov.
It’s crucial that these comments include project number 70754-012 to ensure they are considered in the decision-making process. The FDEP is encouraging submissions as soon as possible to make sure community feedback is taken into account.
Community Concerns
The Florence Landfill’s operations have raised red flags for many nearby residents. With the data pointing to increasing levels of groundwater contaminants, the stakes are high for both environmental health and community safety. The landfill’s history and the ongoing issues surrounding its compliance call into question the long-term viability of its operations. A failure to address these environmental concerns could lead to further consequences for both the local ecosystem and the health of nearby communities.
As the deadline approaches for the FDEP’s decision on the permit application, it is vital for residents to stay informed and engaged. The outcome of this situation could have lasting effects on Lafayette County and its residents, making participation in the public comment process more important than ever. For more details, you can read the full article here.
In the coming weeks, the community’s response will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the Florence Landfill. As residents rally together to express their concerns, their collective voice may very well influence the FDEP’s final decision.