Update on Illegal Bay County Dump Site

A wooded area located at the end of East Baldwin Road in Bay County has gradually taken on a new look.  And it is not for the better.  It has become an illegal dump site.  News 13 first visited the site back in December after nearby neighbors told us about the ongoing problem.  They told us they constantly see vehicles loaded with garbage driving down their street.  The property is owned by the St. Joe Company.

When learning of the problem, St. Joe told News 13 the site would be cleaned up and hopefully closed to prevent any future dumping.  But, so far, nothing has happened.

Lewis Howell, Vice President of St. Joe says,”we went and looked at the trash and assessed the situation and are trying to determine the best way to pick up the trash and restore the property in the condition it was in before the dumping. 
Howell also says, “we are cooperating with Bay County…we’re discussing how Bay County can go out on the easement...there is a utility easement to access the St. Joe property and how Bay County can maybe close off this utility easement to vehicular traffic. Otherwise, if we go in there and clean up before it is closed, we will just have to keep going back to clean up the trash.”

Howell says the St. Joe Company hopes to have the problem resolved in thirty to sixty days.

And a reminder, Bay County Code Enforcement says if you are caught for illegal dumping, initial fines are around 20-dollars.  If it is above 500-pounds it is considered a felony.

Posted by on 01/29 at 04:07 PM
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Jerry, I am the person who you and your daughter met at the Florida State Gymnastics Championships at Edwater in December.  Now, my comments are about your trash story.  I am connected with a business located on St. Andrews Blvd in the old St. Andrews Bingo building.  We have a private dumpster located behind our business, which, at times, is a place trash is dumped, both in the dumpster and on the ground.  We have found the names of the trash owners but the Police and Code people will not investigate because we did not see them put it there.  This weekend someone dumped their household trash on the ground outside the dumpster and we are told there is nothing we can do.  Did you find that in doing your story that the trash owners are not responsible for their trach?  Do not use my name! If you need to talk to me my number is 850-832-3756.  By the way, there is another Gymnastics meet February 16, 17 & 18th.  If you and your daughter want to attend let me know and I will get you in.  Thank you very much.  Walter Randall Akins

Above comment posted by  on  01/31  at  11:18 AM
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