KAIT-Jonesboro, AR-News, weather, sports, classifieds-Trashing Region 8: illegal dumping still a problem in Tyronza

Trashing Region 8: illegal dumping still a problem in Tyronza

By Josh Harvison - bio | email

TYRONZA, AR (KAIT) - Officials in Poinsett County said Tuesday illegal dumping is still a major problem throughout the county. According to Judge Charles Nix, several locations have been deemed illegal dump sites and the county is struggling to clean up. Mayor Marion Bearden of Tyronza said she received a letter from the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality for 2 illegal dump sites outside city limits.

"The problem is that both of the dump sites are on the old 63 road bed that runs parallel to the Burlington Northern Railroad track and they are both within less than a quarter mile of our city limits," said Bearden.

Bearden said she sent ADEQ a letter explaining the dump sites are located outside city limits and it's a county issue. Nix told Region 8 News Tuesday he has not received a letter from ADEQ.

"People will dump anything from appliances to building materials to computers. You name it, we see it in our dump here," said Bearden.

According to the letter sent to Bearden, the ADEQ conducted an investigation at 2 locations near Tyronza. According to the letter, signed by Kevin Nance, Inspector for the Solid Waste Division, the investigation was triggered after a complaint. The results of the investigation said the city was in violation of Arkansas Air Pollution Control Code A.C.A. and the Arkansas Solid Waste Management Act.

The report then goes on to say the city was in operation of an unpermitted solid waste disposal facility and people have been burning waste.

"ADEQ can be pretty stiff. They were in this area and happened up on this dump site themselves and investigated that and then found out about the other one," said Bearden.

Bearden wrote a letter to the ADEQ describing the situation. She said the city isn't liable for dump sites located outside city limits, but she agreed the mess should be cleaned up.

"It was against the law and that criminal, administrative and civil penalties up to $10,000 could be a fine," said Bearden.

As with any illegal dump site, it's difficult for law enforcement to prosecute. Unless personal information is found, police have little chance to make a connection.

"The illegal dump sites have become an increasing problem for our area. Basically, we have 2 illegal dump sites at this time that we are watching and monitoring and patrolling in an attempt to catch the people that are dumping illegally," said Tony Turner, Police Chief of Tyronza.

Nix said the Poinsett County Sheriff's Office has used inmates to clean up illegal dump sites discovered on public property.

"It's a task that we have to monitor very closely because these sites that we do have are located just outside our routine patrolling area and they're located on some rough roads and stuff, so it's difficult for us to go out and make contact with every vehicle that goes down this road," said Turner.

Bearden, who has been mayor of Tyronza for 7 years, said the city has taken drastic measures to reduce illegal dumping.
We have put up chains. We have put up signs, even though they weren't within the city limits, trying to keep people from dumping, because it's a health hazard as well," said Bearden.

 "It is our goal to put a stop to this illegal dumping that's at these sites and if we do catch them, they will be prosecuted," said Bearden. "I plan on working with the county judge and the sheriff to see about patrolling the area. I have already talked to my officers and told them if they see any vehicles coming in this direction that have even the slightest appearance of going to a dump, to stop the car , get the name, the license, and they will be turned over to ADEQ and the sheriff's department as well."

Bearden and Turner said people should use public landfills. According to Bearden, citizens from Tyronza can use the landfill in Marion or Harrisburg.

"What people don't understand is, there's a landfill in Harrisburg. There's a landfill in Marion and those landfill fees are a lot cheaper than $10,000," said Bearden.

"We really encourage people to use our county landfills to dispose of their waste properly, instead of on the roads," said Turner.

Turner also told Region 8 News illegal dump sites are a haven for health hazards.

"We spray in our town for mosquitoes and people pay for that. They pay to have it sprayed to control the mosquitoes and with people dumping illegal trash, like refrigerators and tires and things like that, what it does is it causes a breeding ground for mosquitoes," said Turner.

Bearden said the solution isn't cut and dry.

"That's against Burlington Northern's rules. You can't burn this close to the railroad track. So there's no simply answer other than having someone come load it up and carry it to the dump," said Bearden. "I think people are just looking for an easy way out. It's close. They can come right outside the city limits, back up, dump and be gone, and a lot of it is dumped after hours at night and they feel like it's an easy way for them."

Bearden said she'd like to see the residents of Tyronza to stand up against people who break the law.

"The penalties are going to be stiff and we are going to be watching and monitoring this area. If we have to get cameras to monitor or if we have to have neighbors watching, whatever it takes to cease this problem, we're going to do it," said Bearden.

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