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Resident warns council about permitted lagoon near family property, says water tests under way
Summary
A resident, Gene Barbagalo, told the Jefferson County Council that a permitted lagoon installed adjacent to his family’s property could pollute a spring-fed branch; he said environmental testing is ongoing and that he expects to file legal action if contamination occurs.
Gene Barbagalo of Imperial addressed the Jefferson County Council during the public-comment period to report concerns about a recently permitted lagoon installed on the south end of his property line.
Barbagalo said the parcel is in a county-designated high growth area and questioned why lagoons are allowed there, saying the discharge could harm hillsides, streams and a spring branch that has served his family for nearly 180 years. He told the council he has environmental specialists conducting water tests and that the lagoon had not yet gone online; he said he will continue testing and expects to file in court if discharge reaches typical household monthly volumes and he can show contamination.
What was said verbatim: "I cannot let this man poison my spring branch. I can't do it. It's been in my family almost a hundred and 80 years." Barbagalo asked the council to consider the impacts of allowing lagoons in high-growth areas and to review permitting practices.
Outcome: The comments were submitted during public comment; no hearing, staff response or action was recorded at the meeting. Barbagalo said he had provided copies of his materials to county staff and that tests will continue; he warned of a future court date if contamination occurs.
