‘What’s that smell?’: Relief expected for Nassau neighbors

YULEE, Fla. — Nassau County residents could soon have some relief from a strong stench in the area of Amelia Concourse and State Road 200 in Yulee.

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The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has approved a year-long lime pilot study to help reduce the smell.

An Action News Jax investigation in November discovered the source of the odor is a sludge pile operated by Rayonier Advanced Materials, the company behind a Fernandina Beach paper mill.

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In November, the company told Action News Jax’s Robert Grant that it would change operations at the site to reduce the odor after heavy rain and colder temperatures made it worse.

However, some neighbors reported the stench has not gone away.

County officials worked with Rayonier Advanced Materials to set up a town hall meeting between the company and concerned neighbors in late January.

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However, according to emails obtained by Action News Jax, increased COVID-19 cases forced the company’s management to postpone the meeting.

In an email to Action News Jax, a county representative said, “At this point, we exhausted all efforts. In our last communication with RAYM (Rayonier Advanced Materials), we expressed to them that we are still hopeful for a community meeting and to let us know if/when they get it scheduled and told them we would be happy to share the information with the public.”

More than 800 residents have signed a petition to stop the smell.

Check petition HERE.

The Florida Department of Environment Protection said it approved the lime study Jan. 13, and it will end Jan. 31, 2023.

In a statement, a representative said, “DEP is committed to ensuring full compliance with all applicable regulations and requirements and our oversight of Raynoier’s efforts to address any odors from this site.”

The sludge site has been in operation since 1976. FDEP said its permits are up to date.

“It smells like a rotten egg type of smell,” Larry Rutland, a neighbor, explained. “Does it devalue your homes? We are actively looking right now to actually own a home. I love the area, but I don’t want to have to deal with the smell day in and day out.”

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FDEP added that there are no environmental concerns; however, the county said it was concerned about air quality.

“As far as the air quality, we have asked FDEP on numerous occasions who is monitoring this and who to refer calls to. They have yet to give us a point of contact,” said a county representative in a statement.

Rayonier Advanced Materials has not yet returned our requests for comment.

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