MIRAMAR, Fla. – Broward County officials held a press conference Tuesday to address the issue of a mass burn facility, which they say will be a hazard to the environment and the South Florida community if installed near Miramar.
The focal point of the assembly was the proposed establishment of a mass burn facility or incinerator, slated to take root a mere 0.8 miles from West Miramar. The resonance of this proposed facility is multifaceted, echoing concerns that transcend the immediacy of local boundaries.
After a massive fire torched Miami-Dade’s previous incinerator, county officials are evaluating three potential locations for the new facility: the existing site in Doral, Medley, and the former Opa-locka West Airport site, situated in the far northwest corner of Miami-Dade County, near the Broward County line.
Miramar Mayor Wayne Messam raised environmental concerns regarding the Opa-locka West Airport site, describing it as a 400-acre wetland area with endangered species residing on the edge of the Everglades.
“It has been deemed as the site furthest away from Miami-Dade County residents, but if you contemplate, there are nearly a quarter of a million Broward County residents within the direct facility that would be impacted,” he said. “We have no idea of their timeline or how they are assessing. We are in the dark...literally.”
Not knowing when Miami-Dade planners will make a recommendation to county commissioners, Messam and Miramar Vice Mayor Alexandra P. Davis issued a call to action to city residents, emphasizing the need for their support in spreading awareness.
“We need your support to get the word out,” said Davis.
Local leaders also believe the incinerator will tank property values and have major concerns about the emissions that could come from the burn site.
“Studies have shown that the areas near waste incineration experience higher rates of cancer asthma and reproductive complications.” said one attendee.
Within Sunset Lakes alone, there are currently 1,865 homes and an elementary school nearby, further fueling community opposition.
City leaders also discussed the potential compromise to public health, alongside the integrity of air and water quality.
“We are urging Miami-Dade County to choose a site that impacts fewer people and will be far away from residents because our community has been here for decades. Don’t take trash to our backyard,” said Messam.
“Public health has no borders,” said Commissioner Yvette Colbourne. “I am asking Broward County to be a good neighbor to the city of Miramar. I ask all residents to sign the petition and help prevent this from happening.”
The petition has had backing from growing allies in the Broward County community.
“We stand with our neighbors in Miramar, Weston and Southwest Ranches to stop the incinerator. We need to be environmentally stabilized,” said Pembroke Pines Commissioner Tom Good.
We in Southwest Ranches are proud to stand with Miramar on this issue,” said Southwest Ranches Mayor Steve Breitkreuz.
Click here if you would like to sign the petition, fill out a short survey and receive more information on how residents can be more informed and learn how the communication process is going with Miami-Dade County.
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava released a statement on the status update on the installation of the incinerator, which you can read here:
Levine Cava also confirmed her administration “presented a proposal to the Board of County Commissioners with three potential sites to build a Sustainable Solid Waste Campus, that will include a new mass Waste-to-Energy facility with capacity to process 4,000 tons of waste daily.”
“My administration has recommended Airport West as the preferred location for the siting, but all three sites are still under consideration and are currently under a thorough review,” her statement read in part.
Local 10 viewers can watch the full press conference here: