Community concerns are escalating in Miami-Dade County as residents unite in opposition of a proposed waste transfer facility near the Miami Executive Airport. On Friday, local protestors made it clear that they're not welcoming the potential new neighbor, which could bring odors, environmental risks and plummeting property values, as NBC Miami reported. The grounds for protest are numerous, but top of the list is the fear that the facility could threaten aviation safety due to the risk of increased bird activity in the area.
Gathering near Southwest 136th Street and 137th Avenue, community members voiced their displeasure, aiming to send a clear message to the Miami-Dade County Commission that the project is unwelcome. "We just want to get the attention of the commissioners, all commissioners," Joe Gagliano, a representative of the Venezia Lakes Homeowners Association, told CBS News Miami. Residents worry that the facility could, apart from lowering their quality of life, also pose a very real threat to regional health and the environment.
Amidst chants of "No waste station!" and "Go away from Kendall!", the crowds expressed their fears. From the possible pollution of air and groundwater to the increased likelihood of bird strikes affecting the nearby airport—an issue not to lightly dismiss—residents made their trepidations known. One protester amplified these concerns through a bullhorn, urging passersby to "Sign the petition to stop the dump," with others distributing flyers and advocating against the project. Doreen Peterson, a local resident, expressed her anxiety in a statement obtained by CBS News Miami, saying, "It's very scary for me because I don't know what it's going to do to the ground water... And I'm a grandmother. I'm a mother. I'm concerned for my children and the generations to come."
Some residents are calling for the County to, at least, take more time reviewing the proposal before making any decisions. Opponents of the project insist on looking at alternative locations, away from schools and densely populated areas. "There's more than 18 schools," highlighted HOA board president Julio Forte in an interview with CBS News Miami.
