State representatives from Sebastian and Crawford counties in Arkansas are pushing legislation aimed at the Arkansas Division of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) due to concerns about permit enforcement at a waste lagoon near Fort Smith. The lagoon is owned by Denali Water Solutions, a national waste company with operations in Russellville. Residents have complained about the noxious odor from the lagoon, and the bill, House Bill 1762, would require ADEQ to revoke the permit of an industrial waste operation after three violations within 45 days. The bill has passed a committee and is moving to the full House for a vote.
During a hearing on the bill, sponsors clashed with ADEQ’s director over enforcement issues at the lagoon. ADEQ expressed concerns about targeting specific industries, while representatives highlighted ongoing issues with the lagoon and lack of enforcement action. Denali was fined in March for violations, but other inspections this year found no violations. The lagoon has been a source of controversy for years, with a restaurant in Fort Smith filing a lawsuit to shut it down due to economic losses caused by the odor.
Denali has a history of environmental violations in other states, including a recent settlement with federal authorities for Clean Water Act violations. Representatives and residents in the area continue to push for stronger enforcement and possible closure of the lagoon. The bill, if passed, would provide a mechanism to hold the operator accountable for repeated violations and potentially impose stricter penalties.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
