Toxins found near landfill: What now?

A momentous day of reckoning, both legally and morally, is fast approaching in Arkansas. On Feb. 8, 2024, Governor Sanders and her administration will face a pivotal moment that will lay bare the true nature of Arkansas government. This day marks the final decision by Sanders’ handpicked members of the Pollution Control and Ecology Commission (PCEC) regarding the expansion of the Eco-Vista Class 1 landfill in Tontitown.

Throughout the lead-up to this crucial day, the PCEC and its enforcer, the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ), have exhibited a disconcerting pattern of disregard for their own regulations (22.203 & 22.204) and the now scientifically validated existence of toxins permeating the air surrounding the landfill. For years, they have evaded accountability by attributing the noxious and pervasive emissions (coupled with evidence of dying flora and fauna) to factors ranging from cow waste to Black Hills gas releases. However, their facade has finally been shattered.

Last month, an independent air quality test conducted by the National Guard presented irrefutable evidence that the long-standing denials and obfuscations propagated by these agencies were baseless. The test revealed alarmingly “elevated levels” of toxic sulfur dioxide in the vicinity of the landfill. Further comprehensive tests and analyses are reportedly underway to ascertain not only the enduring malignancy of the sulfur dioxide gases but also the presence of other hazardous substances wafting through the surrounding rural homes and city neighborhoods.

On Feb. 8, the PCEC will face a critical crossroads. Will it choose to dismiss scientific findings and once again succumb to the influence of mega-corporate WM, whose Eco-Vista site pays ADEQ $1.9 million each year in tonnage fees? Or will it finally uphold its own regulations and adhere to the letter and intent of the law by rejecting the landfill expansion?

The decision made by the PCEC will serve as a defining moment that amplifies the power struggle between bureaucratic might and personal justice throughout the state. It will unveil whether Arkansas stands unwaveringly by the law as written and intended, or if it accedes to the self-serving interpretations of over-empowered bureaucrats who are funded by the very corporations they are meant to regulate.

Should the PCEC choose to prioritize its own interests and corporate influence above the well-being of the populace, it will send a resounding message that the government is willing to sacrifice public health for financial gain. However, if the PCEC upholds its own regulations and rejects the landfill expansion, it will demonstrate a commitment to personal justice and the rule of law.

A recent Gallup Poll has revealed satisfaction with the functioning of democracy in our country has plummeted to an all-time low of 28% among U.S. adults. The pressing question now is whether Sanders’ administration, which has thus far failed to respond to pleas for assistance from both our mayor and citizens, will contribute to or alleviate this perception among Arkansans.

DENNIS BOYER

Tontitown