County approves leachate disposal service agreement amid public concern over PFAS, waste‑to‑energy plant life extension

Lee County commissioners approved a service agreement for disposal of leachate from construction and demolition facilities and carried consent agenda items related to solid‑waste operations, despite public concerns about PFAS contamination and long‑term impacts of waste‑to‑energy operations.

Multiple public commenters urged caution. Marsha Ellis spoke at length during public comment about item 29 and several consent agenda items tied to solid waste, saying there is ongoing litigation related to a proposed development and warning that construction‑related discharges and ash from incineration raise environmental risks. Ellis said the county’s waste‑to‑energy plant uses older emissions standards and called for more community engagement before extending the plant’s operational life. "When we talk about solid waste we need community engagement," Ellis said.

Another commenter urged the board to disclose PFAS levels in a leachate stream the county planned to send for disposal and questioned labeling the leachate as "non‑hazardous" given studies linking construction and demolition leachate to PFAS. That speaker supported removing industrial sources from wastewater inflows.

County staff and commissioners responded that the service agreement would remove that wastewater from the county’s treatment system and that related capital improvements and contracts would be brought back for board approval as needed. Commissioners emphasized the county’s need for capacity as population grows and said upgrades are aimed at reducing landfill volume and extending facility life. The board approved the items on the consent agenda after discussion and public comment; the transcript records motions and the chair saying "motion carries unanimously."