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Fort Pierce commission presses for federal help after neighbors report odors, rodents from rail‑transferred trash
Summary
Commissioners and residents said trash hauled by train and stored at the Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) depot is creating odors, rodent problems and truck traffic; commissioners plan to seek assistance from the U.S. representative and federal regulators.
Neighbors and commissioners told the Fort Pierce City Commission on May 5 that trash hauling and staging on a Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) depot has led to odors, rodent infestations and other public‑health concerns.
Why it matters: Rail operations and interstate hauling are regulated at the federal level, so local code enforcement and county agencies have limited authority over how and when trains are used to stage commercial waste. Commissioners said they would seek congressional help to compel railroad or industry action.
Commissioner Broderick described a pattern he said began after a Miami‑Dade incinerator burned and trash was routed by rail to FEC's South Fort Pierce depot. "They're using the city of Fort Pierce as your dumping ground," Broderick said, adding that cars and trucks then haul the material through neighborhoods to a landfill and that the operation has generated odor, noise and rodents in areas including Indian River Drive and High Point.
City staff and commissioners said the relationship between Waste Management (the hauler) and FEC (the railroad) is contractual and that federal railroad regulators and congressional intervention are the most likely avenues for relief. City Manager Chess (identified in meeting discussion as the city manager) told the commission the city had limited jurisdiction and advised the commission to involve federal officials. Several commissioners said they would contact the city's U.S. representative; the commission also noted that local news organizations had inquired and that CBS West Palm was preparing an investigative piece.
Commissioners discussed prior outreach to the county health department and repeated attempts to engage both Waste Management and FEC. Several commissioners urged a coordinated approach with St. Lucie County and regional partners; Commissioner Johnson said the city and county must join forces to seek federal attention.
Actions planned: Commissioners said they would ask the city's congressional delegation to intervene with the railroad and seek enforcement or mitigation; at least one commissioner volunteered to place an immediate phone call to the representative's office following the meeting.
Ending: Commissioners urged neighbors to document incidents and to contact elected officials and noted that federal regulators may be needed because rail operations cross jurisdictional lines.
