That Smell in Tangerine, Florida and Nearby Neighborhoods

Hello, As you all know, there is a hearing scheduled on Wednesday, July 8, 2020, at 9 am regarding code enforcement issues with Shelley’s Septic Tanks.  The hearing will be conducted remotely due to concerns about Covid-19. You can be physically present in the courthouse for the hearing but you'll be viewing the proceedings on a screen in a different room there (Room 105) and be socially distanced from other attendees. Masks are required if you planned to do this.  Alternatively, you can attend the meeting using the internet or your phone. You can sign up to join the hearing this way by going to the link below. The sign-up process is pretty easy. Plan to do this in advance of the meeting. The same signup is used for both the internet and the phone. You will get a verification e-mail of your registration. https://ocfl2.webex.com/ocfl2/onstage/g.php?MTID=efcc22ff850e46f2441d96eb103c30260 .  If you intend to introduce any relevant documentation or physical e...

I've had a request for information relating to Shelley's Violations. You can click on the photos to see them more clearly. You can see their Consent Order with the FDEP here.  Visit website Shelley’s Septic Tank, Inc. (dba Shelley’s Environmental Systems): FDEP issued a Consent Order to Shelley’s on March 24, 2020 regarding wastewater permit violations that involve mainly odors, and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) stormwater permit violations (multiple issues). The Order included penalties and fees of $8,712 and required the company to develop an odor plan as well as a plan to develop and implement stormwater best management practices within 60 days. Shelley’s was requested to respond within 20 days. Orange County’s Code Enforcement Division has issued a series of violation notices to Shelley’s. A March 5, 2020 compliance deadline regarding building permits and site requirements was not met. As a result, a Special Magistrate hearing h...

The long story short is that I e-mailed Robert Spivey of Code Enforcement regarding the lack of documents regarding Shelley's Septic Tanks and the fact that we know they were cited. First, I'll attach my e-mail and second, I'll post his reply.  Mark your calendars.

I sent an e-mail to everyone on our list yesterday thanking them for the help they've given us. Now it's my turn to thank you for your support. Starting this page wasn't an easy thing to do because I didn't know how much we could accomplish. We still have a long way to go on this, but I want to let you know just how much I appreciate your support on our "smelly" issue. Of the people on the list, @ashley Gardner of the FDEP has been the most consistently helpful. Here is her response: Respectfully, K.

Because we've got nothing yet regarding Shelleys Septic Tanks from Orange County, I made a request for public records with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Of course, I'll post when I get a response.

Good morning, They answer their e-mails quickly at the FDEP. I sent my e-mail out at 11:26 pm yesterday and voila, I got a response at 9:31 am today. So my next move is to make a public records request. I'm going to limit the request to the issues at hand (and not past violations) as I have no idea how much information is out there. Stay tuned.

Shelley's Septic Tanks was supposed to arrange a meeting with the Florida Department of Environmental Regulation  within 3 days of receiving the notice of violation from the FDEP. This letter was sent off a few minutes ago. It's late, I hope Ashley will forgive me for transposing two letters in her last name. Of course, I noticed my error right after I clicked "send." It is what it is. Now I'm on to a similar e-mail to Orange County.

Update: This came in from Nick Cooper this afternoon:  Thank you for bringing your concerns to our attention. As we looked into your concern with Shelly’s Septic, it was determined that Shelly’s property is located outside of Lake Ola’s drainage basin (see map below). Shelly’s runoff flows south through a retention pond that is owned by Orange County and then continues through a constructed wetland that is owned by St. Johns River Water Management District. From there, water continues to flow south towards Lake Apopka. I'll write a separate post on this topic.  Below you'll find the e-mail I received today from Orange County's Code Enforcement Public Records Coordinator. They found no record of zoning violations. I am scratching my head on this response. As I look out on Lake Ola, I'm reminded of how the water is less clear than in previous years and how the lake seems to be nutrient full. I wonder how long it will be as clear as it is now. I am conv...

Sent to:  EPDcomplaints@ocfl.net maria.repass@ocfl.net mayor@ocfl.net elizabeth.roby@ocfl.net phil.kane@dep.state.fl.us chris.testerman@ocfl.net district2@ocfl.net daniel.vanegas@ocfl.net jon.weiss@ocfl.net ashley.gardner@dep.state.fl.us robert.spivey@ocfl.net maurice.barker@dep.state.fl.us david.jones2@ocfl.net bradley.campbell@OCFL.NET jennifer.moreau@ocfl.net joel.prinsell@ocfl.net erin.hartigan@ocfl.net February 14, 2020 Good afternoon, I live about 3 miles from Shelley’s Septic and Anuvia in Tangerine on Lake Ola. I’m concerned about two problems for the lakefront homeowners, the odors and their source’s effects on the lake and the groundwater.   I believe that the odor problem is well known to you. The unpredictable onset of the various stenches seems to occur with no rhyme or reason. Sometimes they last for minutes and other times they last all day.   Those of us on the north side of the lake smell them the...