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Commissioners direct staff to submit technical comments opposing incomplete anti‑degradation study for mill permit relocation
Summary
Staff advised the board that the county’s comments to DEP on a proposed relocation and permit for a mill discharge (Foley Cellulose/GP) remain that the anti‑degradation study is incomplete; the board directed submission of two letters and technical comments and asked staff to engage state and federal partners.
Taylor County technical staff and a consultant briefed commissioners on the county’s position regarding a draft DEP permit and proposed relocation of a mill discharge point (the Foley Cellulose/GP matter discussed during the meeting). Staff recommended the board maintain its prior position that the anti‑degradation study and public‑interest test are incomplete and that permitting progress should be paused until required elements are addressed.
Technical staff highlighted two primary concerns: (1) the permit as drafted lacked a meaningful maximum daily flow limit tied to low river elevations, allowing a theoretical large ‘‘slug’’ discharge that could exceed water‑quality criteria; and (2) the applicant had not fully documented alternatives or provided sufficient groundwater and localized hydrology analysis. Staff said those gaps could permit discharges that exceed the concentrations the draft study used in its dilution calculations.
Staff recommended and the board approved sending the two letters and a multi‑page technical comment package to DEP; commissioners also asked staff to share the material with the Suwannee River Water Management District and to solicit the support of state and federal legislators and agencies (EPA) to press for more complete analysis. Technical staff said DEP has indicated draft movement forward but that agency review and public comment processes remain ongoing; EPA may also comment.
The board discussed timelines for comment and the possibility of requesting an extension pending completion of related groundwater/flood‑map studies; staff said they had asked the water‑management district to coordinate with DEP and requested the board’s authorization to submit comments this week.
