In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, there are millions of cubic yards of
hurricane debris on the ground in Lee County.
This storm debris requires efficient and timely collection, transport, and a viable disposal solution.
The current open disposal sites are operating beyond capacity with wait times approaching several hours for trucks to offload debris.
This is delaying efficient debris removal in local neighborhoods.
In response -
Lee County, in partnership with Waste Management (WM), will reopen a section of Gulf Coast Landfill on a temporary, emergency basis to handle the hurricane debris from Lee County neighborhoods and to help the county and its residents and businesses recover.
The landfill will accept Hurricane Ian construction/demolition storm debris only – not household garbage or horticulture waste – on an emergency basis.
The emergency reopening of Gulf Coast Landfill will be temporary and expected to last 18-24 months, at which time it would be capped and closed.
The landfill has current solid waste and environmental permits. There have been no onsite odors or odor complaints from adjacent neighbors to the landfill in more than 10 years.
Reopening the landfill will help expedite storm debris pickup because its location minimizes travel distance for debris-hauling trucks. Other disposal sites will continue to be used as well.
Trucks will utilize the current Gulf Coast Landfill access road off State Road 82, and not via Gateway Boulevard, thereby minimizing truck traffic impacts to residential neighbors.
The reopening of Gulf Coast Landfill will accelerate the cleanup of Lee County neighborhoods, accelerate the rebuilding process, and allow displaced residents and businesses to recover more quickly.
WM will operate Gulf Coast Landfill during this emergency re-opening and has extensive experience and expertise with proper waste disposal to minimize impacts to the local community.