Taylor County to submit comments, requests public meeting on Foley Cellulose draft permit

At its Feb. 17 meeting the Taylor County Board of County Commissioners voted to submit written comments and a draft letter prepared by consultant Chet Thompson concerning Foley Cellulose LLC’s draft permit (FL0000876009‑IWIS). The motion was made by Commissioner Pam Feagle and seconded by Commissioner Thomas Demps; Commissioner Michael Newman abstained and the motion carried by majority.

Chet Thompson, retained by the county, presented an update and circulated a draft letter and comment package. The county’s written comment notes a specific permit condition (I.A.6) that would allow discharge from Outfall D‑001 to the Fenholloway River only when the USGS river gage (Station No. 02324400) is at or above a mean gage height of 2.70 feet and prohibits discharge at lower levels. The county’s draft comments state the draft permit "contains no proposed modifications that show how the discharge will be controlled to occur only when the water is at 2.70 feet or greater at the upstream gage," and request additional detail and a public meeting to discuss controls.

The board also directed staff to submit the consultant’s letter and comments as its official response; the meeting minutes cite attachments containing the letters. Commissioner Newman’s abstention was recorded on the motion vote; the minutes note the board approved submission by majority.

The county also requested a public meeting be scheduled to discuss controls at the proposed discharge site, and the county attorney and consultant indicated follow‑up would include coordination with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and other regulators as needed.