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Venus residents press county to block Compost USA expansion as DEP review nears
Summary
Multiple Venus residents told the Highlands County commission on Aug. 19 they oppose Compost USA's permit amendment to expand from 50 to 80 acres and increase truck traffic to 150 trucks per day; commissioners said county attorneys are negotiating with the company while DEP permit steps continue.
Dozens of residents from the Venus area urged Highlands County commissioners on Aug. 19 to block a proposed expansion of the Compost USA facility on Hicora Road, saying the expansion would increase odors, truck traffic and potential contamination risks.
Speakers said the company is seeking a permit amendment with Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to expand the operation from about 50 acres to 80 acres and to increase daily truck trips from roughly 50 to roughly 150. Residents and neighbors described recurring offensive odors and worries about groundwater contamination from biosolids and other waste inputs used in compost.
"When we use sewage sludge as a fertilizer, it is full of heavy metals, microplastics, pharmaceuticals, and what is called forever chemicals, PFA substances," said Patricia Olsen, a Venus resident, referring to long-lived contaminants commonly called PFAS. Residents also raised concerns about endangered species and sensitive habitats near Fish Eating Creek.
County commissioners acknowledged the complaints and said the county's legal team is engaged. Commissioner Roberts and other commissioners reported recent conversations with the county attorney and encouraged continued negotiation. Ken Keck, a Venus resident and organizer, asked the commissioners to ask opposing counsel to delay publication of DEP's official notice (which triggers the permit clock) while attorneys explore a negotiated remedy; Keck said DEP gives the applicant about 15 days to publish a notice that starts the administrative clock for public comment and appeals.
County attorney Sherry (surname not provided in the public record) confirmed the county is engaged in discussions with the company's attorney and that staff have pursued additional enforcement and technical options; she told the board she would report back. Commissioners said they want to continue the legal talks and to follow up at later meetings rather than take immediate further action at the Aug. 19 session.
What is next: the DEP permitting process is separate from county code enforcement; if DEP issues an intent-to-issue notice, it starts administrative timelines and public-notice windows. Residents asked commissioners for stronger local restrictions and more monitoring of odors and groundwater; commissioners said they would continue negotiations and try to find enforceable steps within county authority while the DEP review proceeds.
No final county action on the expansion was taken at the Aug. 19 meeting; commissioners directed county staff and legal counsel to continue discussions and report back to the board.
