*** CALL TO ACTION ***
Contact your local elected representatives with your concerns about this proposed 24x7 creosote tie shredding operation.
Express your opposition!
See the 11/18/25 Update below for contact info and a new sample email
Video courtesy of Flying High In Florida
*** CALL TO ACTION ***
Contact your local elected representatives with your concerns about this proposed 24x7 creosote tie shredding operation.
Express your opposition!
See the 11/18/25 Update below for contact info and a new sample email
Last night, at their 11/17 General Membership meeting, the Rainbow River Conservation (RRC) Board voted unanimously to unite with Sierra Club and Concerned Citizens of Chatmire to protect the Rainbow River, our environment, the health and welfare of area residents, and the interests of the surrounding business community.
After consulting with Sierra Club’s attorneys and subject matter experts in environmental law relevant to contesting Track Line’s Air Permit application, RRC’s attorney advised that challenging FDEP’s issuance of Track Line’s Air Permit would be complicated and expensive to litigate. Instead, we will pursue land use issues at the local level to oppose Track Line’s shredding operation in Chatmire.
The Marion County Board of County Commissioners (MCBCC) has already informed Track Line that it must request a Special Use Permit in order “to store, shred or grind used ties on the properties”. The Sierra Club has retained Terrell Arline, Attorney to represent the Sierra Club, Rainbow River Conservation, and Concerned Citizens of Chatmire in any potential public hearings held by Marion County to consider zoning, land use, special use, or comprehensive plan change applications submitted for the project. .
Our first CALL TO ACTION was for concerned citizens to contact FDEP’s Air Division to oppose Track Line’s Air Permit application before 5p on 10/31. The community response was overwhelming! An FDEP contact shared that they had never before received so much public opposition to an air permit application!! If you provided your email address when you contacted FDEP, you will be notified by FDEP about their decision on Track Line’s air permit (sometime after 12/1/25).
This brings us to our second CALL TO ACTION. We now ask you to contact local elected representatives with your concerns about this proposed 24x7 creosote tie shredding operation. RRC believes that it does not belong in the Rainbow River watershed or next to the adjacent residential communities of Chatmire and Dunnellon. We need to ensure our local authorities are fully aware of our environmental and quality of life concerns regarding this project.
Please see a new sample email below, and send your concerns to the following email addresses:
Chairman, Marion County Board of Commissioners: [email protected]
Mayor, City of Dunnellon: [email protected]
City Clerk, City of Dunnellon: [email protected]
Assistant City Clerk, City of Dunnellon: [email protected]
To Whom It May Concern,
I am a resident of <STATE YOUR LOCATION: Unincorporated Chatmire, City of Dunnellon, Marion County, other>. I am strongly opposed to Track Line’s proposed creosote railroad tie shredding and grinding operation at 20365 E. McKinney Avenue, Dunnellon, Florida, 34432.
The vast stockpile of creosote ties currently located on CSX property is already generating objectionable odors, as well as airborne eye and respiratory irritants throughout the Dunnellon and Chatmire communities, simply by its presence.
If shredding and griding were to begin, I fear it would cause unacceptable health risks for my family, as well as damage to the environment and the sensitive Rainbow River watershed. This type of industrial operation is not compatible with Dunnellon’s small-town charm and focus on ecotourism.
I respectfully request that the Marion County Board of Commissioners reject any proposed railroad tie shredding operation in the Dunnellon/Chatmire area. I also respectfully request the immediate removal of the massive stockpile of railroad ties currently along the CSX tracks from W. McKinney Ave to E. McKinney Ave in the City of Dunnellon and Chatmire, Marion County.
Thank you for your immediate attention to my concerns,
<Your Name>
<Your Address>
<Your Phone Number>
Thank you to all who contacted FDEP with your concerns about the railroad tie shredding project currently targeting the Dunnellon/Chatmire area! As of 10:30a, Friday, 10/31, an FDEP contact shared that “around 200 complaints” had already been received, with several hours yet to go before the Public Comment period closed. Apparently, this high volume is unusual for an air permit. Way to go Rainbow River lovers and Dunnellon/Chatmire residents!!
We’re happy to report that Sierra Club/RRC’s request for an extension has been granted by FDEP. We now have until 12/1 to decide whether to pursue a petition for an Administrative Hearing with FDEP, to legally contest Track Line’s Air Permit application. Filing a petition for the hearing is a legal action. Our attorney is currently evaluating evidence and consulting experts to decide if our case has enough merit to move forward with the legal process and has a few more weeks to determine our next move.
In the meantime, Marion County’s attorneys are in touch with Track Line and their affiliates, CSX and Florida Northern, to gather more information and explore resolutions that would avoid litigation altogether.
WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW:
Note: We are also interested in footage/photos taken in July or August, before the accumulation of ties began. Having evidence in that timeframe showing bare ground without huge piles of ties would be very helpful.
There are a lot of wheels in motion. Be patient as the wheels turn, remain vigilant, and do your part to help us protect the Rainbow River. Thank you!
The communities' opposition to creosote tie shredding project made the front page of the Riverland News. In the same issue, RRC's VP Bill White explained RRC's position and actions underway.
FDEP's Public Comment period for Track Line's Air Permit application ended at 5:00pm, Friday, 10/31/25. However, you may file an odor/irritant/noise complaint with FDEP at any time. These complaints go to a different department within FDEP and must be investigated regardless of any legal process underway against Track Line’s Air Permit application. These types of complaints should be directed to:
To Whom It May Concern,
I am a resident of <STATE YOUR LOCATION: Unincorporated Chatmire, City of Dunnellon, Marion County>. For the past few months, I’ve noticed an intermittent pungent, tar-like smell in the air, and have experienced unexplained throat irritation, coughing, and burning eyes. I have recently learned of the vast stockpile of carcinogenic, creosote-laden railroad ties stored on CSX property in Marion County by Track Line, LLC, in preparation for their proposed grinding and shredding operation. I am confident the presence of the railroad ties explains my physical symptoms.
With fears for my family’s health and irreparable damage to the environment and the sensitive Rainbow River watershed, I strongly oppose Track Line’s proposed operation in Marion County and request that FDEP deny Track Line’s Air Permit No. 0830196-001-AC. I further request the immediate removal of the railroad ties from Marion County due to the health and environmental risks raised by their simple presence, in compliance with Marion County’s Code Violation issued to Track Line and CSX last week.
Thank you for your immediate attention to my concerns,
<Your Name>
<Your Address>
<Your Phone Number>
On behalf of Chairman Bryant, please find attached a copy of the letter sent to Florida DEP stating Marion County’s formal opposition to, and request for denial of, FDEP Air Permit No. 0830196-001-AC. Alternatively, the letter requests that Marion County be granted an additional sixty (60) days to petition the DEP for an administrative hearing.
Letter of Opposition to FDEP from Marion County BOC Chairman, Kathy Bryant
A Request for Extension has been sent to FDEP on behalf of the Sierra Club, Rainbow River Conservation, Inc., and several Chatmire residents.
Request for Extension to FDEP
Yesterday, we discovered half of one of the parcels the rail road cross ties were dumped on is within the city limits.
Once that was realized, Dunnellon city code enforcement created notices of violation that were sent out today to both CSX and Track line (notices are attached).
Today Mayor Walter Green signed both a letter of permit denial and request for extension (which temporarily halts progress on this horrible project) both were sent today to the FDEP, Governor, Lt Governor, our state & county representatives (letters are attached).
I had the opportunity to meet with Kathy Bryant and Asst. County Administrator Tracy Straub in Ocala yesterday evening, both are all over this issue.
As this progresses, Mandy will be Cc'd on all county correspondence and likewise, Kathy & Tracy will be Cc'd on all city correspondence to ensure each party stays informed and coordinated with the other.
Kathy Bryant had this issue attached to the upcoming Nov. 4 County Commissioner meeting:
Code Violations and Requests to FDEP Issued by Dunnellon City Council:
Rainbow River Conservation (RRC) Boad members voted to file their own FDEP Extension Request. The Florida Chapter of the Sierra Club has voted to cover any legal expenses on RRC’s behalf, although to finalize this funding, including a possible court challenge, the National Chapter must approve the legal expense obligation and that has not yet occurred.
In the meantime, an environmental attorney affiliated with Sierra Club will assist with the Extension Request at no expense to RRC. Several residents of Chatmire have agreed to partner with RRC on this Extension Request.
What the FDEP Extension Request will do:
On 10/27, Representative JJ Grow sent to FDEP expressing his strong opposition to the Track Line project.
Letter of Opposition to FDEP from Florida State Representative JJ Grow
In case you were unable to attend Dunnellon’s Special City Council meeting on Monday, 10/27, you can watch the entire meeting here: https://dunnellon.granicus.com/player/clip/385?view_id=1&redirect=true
City Council provided the following FDEP contact information, encouraging all citizen’s to call and email their concerns and objections about Track Line’s creosote-laden railroad tie shredding and grinding operation in unincorporated Chatmire, Marion County BY FRIDAY 10/31, which is the deadline for public comment:
FDEP phone: 850-717-9000
At the meeting’s 1:18 mark, you can listen to Kathy Bryant, Marion County Board of Commissioner recap the efforts underway by Marion County. The following information was summarized from Ms. Bryant’s remarks:
Because the shredding site lies within the unincorporated area of Marion County, Dunnellon’s Mayor and City Council do not have jurisdiction.
Actions already taken by Marion County:
Marion County’s next steps:
On 10/24, Marion County issued a Code Violation to Track Line, also advising them that they would need a special use permit to proceed with building the shredding operation.
Code Violation issued by Marion County
On October 17, 2025, FDEP issued a PUBLIC NOTICE OF INTENT TO ISSUE AIR PERMIT in the Riverland News. Because Track Line’s permit application categorized the Dunnellon/Chatmire railroad tie shredding operation as a minor source of air pollution, FDEP allowed a 14 day period for public comment, requests for extensions, and requests for hearings. In contrast, an operation such as a cement kiln would be considered a major source of air pollution and would therefore require a 30 day public comment period.
A concerned citizen saw the Riverland News Notice and brought it to the attention of Dunnellon City Council on 10/20. City Council began investigating and were alarmed by the long list of pollutants noted in Track Line’s FDEP Air Permit Application. They contacted Marion County inquiring about potential County permitting requirements and also contacted RRC with their concerns for the Rainbow River. They scheduled a special off-cycle City Council meeting for 10/27.
In their FDEP Air Permit Application, Track Line described the project as follows:
“The proposed project involves the installation and operation of a facility to shred and grind creosote-treated railroad ties (CTRT) into a 1-inch minus fuel product for shipment to cement kilns permitted to use the material as a beneficial secondary. Operations will employ two mobile, track-mounted Tier 4 diesel-powered units—a shredder and a grinder. All processed material will be loaded directly into live bed trailers (trucks) beneath a mobile dome canopy. There will be no outdoor storage of processed product; material will be shipped off-site immediately upon completion of processing or once trailers are fully loaded.”
The Air Permit Application made no mention of the thousands and thousands of creosote-laden railroad ties already stockpiled on CSX-owned property in the City of Dunnellon and Chatmire, Marion County. Subsequent investigation showed that the stockpiled ties are sitting on land zoned as Agricultural, Land Preservation, Low-Density Residential, and Medium-Density Residential, and some of these parcels are also in a designated flood plain (see the Code Violations issued by both Marion County and the City of Dunnellon in the dated updates above). This drone footage shows the magnitude of the stockpiled creosote ties.
It was then discovered that Track Line had previously set up their shredding operation in Newberry, Alachua County, earlier in 2025. The City was able to evict them from Newberry due to a lack of proper permitting. Track Line had learned a lesson and submitted their FDEP Air Permit Application in August for their new operation targeting Dunnellon/Chatmire. They then began quietly transporting thousands of creosote-laden railroad ties to Dunnellon/Chatmire, while local authorities and citizens were completely unaware of the magnitude of the accumulating ties, or the planned shredding and grinding operation. See these articles about the Newberry operation: 5/23/25 WUFT article about Track Line’s Newberry shredding operation, and 5/27/25 Main Street Daily News article about Track Line’s Newberry shredding operation.
On 10/23/25, the Ocala Gazette reported on Dunnellon City Council’s agenda for the 10/27 Special City Council meeting. Rainbow River Conservation (RRC) leveraged both their website and Facebook page to get the word out about the 10/27 meeting. Concerned Dunnellon/Chatmire citizens and other interested parties flooded Dunnellon City Hall on 10/27 with a standing room only crowd that spilled out of the building into the parking lot. See the recording of the 10/27 meeting and the many concerned speakers here. City Council shared FDEP’s contact information at the meeting. RRC issued an Urgent Call to Action on their media sites, urging citizens to call and email FDEP with their concerns and opposition to the project before the end of FDEP’s Public Comment period, 5:00pm, Friday, 10/31/25. As of 10:30a, Friday, 10/31, a contact at FDEP stated “around 200 complaints” had been received.
Review the more detailed updates above for actions taken and supporting documentation. We’ll continue to add to the timeline updates as we learn more.