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Taylor County commissioners oppose proposed relocation of Foley Cellulose wastewater discharge, urge cleanup
Summary
The Taylor County Board of County Commissioners reviewed and read a draft letter and resolution to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection opposing Foley Cellulose LLC’s proposed relocation of a wastewater point of discharge (permit FL0000876), citing an inadequate anti‑degradation analysis and calling for more public engagement and cleanup conditions.
The Taylor County Board of County Commissioners considered a draft letter and resolution to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection on Dec. 16, 2025, opposing a proposed relocation of the point of discharge in the Foley Cellulose LLC permit renewal (FL0000876).
A staff member read the draft letter to FDEP that begins, “Dear Mister Strong, the Taylor County Board of County Commissioners strongly opposes the relocation of the point of discharge proposed by the Foley Cellulose LLC permit renewal application dated 08/07/2025,” and asks the agency to “complete the wastewater permit renewal process with no relocation of the point of discharge and other fully protected conditions for a closed operation under cleanup conditions and obtain closure and remediation permits.”
Why it matters: The draft resolution contends the company’s anti‑degradation study and responses to a request for additional information (RAI dated 10/24/2025) failed to demonstrate that relocation is in the public interest under Florida’s anti‑degradation rules. The draft also notes the Foley Cellulose mill closed in October 2023 and says that closure “devastated the local economy,” framing cleanup and permitting as prerequisites for future redevelopment.
Details and authorities: The draft specifically cites the anti‑degradation rule in the Florida Administrative Code (rule 62‑4.2421) and references permit renewal FL0000876. It requests that FDEP more actively engage Foley Cellulose LLC and Taylor County in cleanup and permitting, and directs copies to be sent to FDEP Director Greg Strong, Senator Corey Simon, Representative Jason Shoaff and the FDEP secretary.
Claims and record: The resolution text asserts that Foley Cellulose LLC “failed to fully demonstrate public interest” and that local citizen comments and the Taylor County Development Authority oppose the relocation. Those assertions were read into the record by a staff member; the transcript does not record any live rebuttal from Foley Cellulose LLC or a formal response from FDEP during the meeting.
Process and next steps: The board reviewed the draft letter and resolution during general business. The transcript records the reading of the draft but does not record a formal roll‑call vote or the board’s final disposition of the resolution in this segment. The staff member who read the document noted a typographical error in the draft that needs correction.
Context: The draft states the current renewal covers activity limited to continued wastewater discharge and notes the renewal application was dated Aug. 7, 2025; it also records that the current permit expired Aug. 20, 2024. The resolution links community economic harm from the mill’s October 2023 closure to concerns about permitting and redevelopment.
What to watch for: The board requested staff engagement and public involvement in the permitting process; the transcript does not show whether the board formally adopted the resolution at that meeting or when FDEP will respond. Reporters and residents seeking updates should check subsequent board minutes and FDEP filings for any formal approval, filing, or responses.
