Tensions are escalating in Tontitown as a class-action lawsuit against Eco-Vista, the company that operates a nearby landfill, continues to develop. Residents claim hazardous odors from the landfill are disrupting daily life and harming public health.Originally filed in April, the lawsuit accuses Eco-Vista of releasing noxious fumes into the air, citing testing by the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) that allegedly detected dangerous chemicals such as acrolein and benzene.”You just can’t breathe. It’s like you’ve been running for two miles,” said Kenneth Lovett, a Tontitown resident listed in the lawsuit. “It’s a hazardous vapor, and they tested some of it being acrolein and benzene — way over the RSL limits.”Lovett, who lives near the landfill, says the issue affects the entire community.“I rolled my window down, and you could smell it. It was terrible, but worse outside,” he said. “There’s a lot of people who’ve lived here for 40 years. This wasn’t a problem until the gas plants.”On Monday, plaintiffs were granted an extension to respond to Eco-Vista’s motion to dismiss the case. Their new deadline is July 25.In addition to the class-action lawsuit, the City of Tontitown has filed a separate suit to block the landfill’s expansion plans.“There’s three different resolutions Tontitown has put out, each one with a little stronger language,” Lovett said. “It was unanimous with the town council against expansion of the land.”Efforts to contact Eco-Vista’s attorney were unsuccessful. The ADEQ also declined to comment, citing ongoing litigation.Mayor Angela Russell declined to speak on the city’s lawsuit, which is expected to have its next court hearing on September 5.”This isn’t just a nuisance,” Lovett added. “Vapors are deadly. And in my opinion, they don’t have the proper engineering controls. Letting Mother Nature take her course isn’t working anymore.”
TONTITOWN, Ark. —
Tensions are escalating in Tontitown as a class-action lawsuit against Eco-Vista, the company that operates a nearby landfill, continues to develop. Residents claim hazardous odors from the landfill are disrupting daily life and harming public health.
Originally filed in April, the lawsuit accuses Eco-Vista of releasing noxious fumes into the air, citing testing by the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) that allegedly detected dangerous chemicals such as acrolein and benzene.
“You just can’t breathe. It’s like you’ve been running for two miles,” said Kenneth Lovett, a Tontitown resident listed in the lawsuit. “It’s a hazardous vapor, and they tested some of it being acrolein and benzene — way over the RSL limits.”
Lovett, who lives near the landfill, says the issue affects the entire community.
“I rolled my window down, and you could smell it. It was terrible, but worse outside,” he said. “There’s a lot of people who’ve lived here for 40 years. This wasn’t a problem until the gas plants.”
On Monday, plaintiffs were granted an extension to respond to Eco-Vista’s motion to dismiss the case. Their new deadline is July 25.
In addition to the class-action lawsuit, the City of Tontitown has filed a separate suit to block the landfill’s expansion plans.
“There’s three different resolutions Tontitown has put out, each one with a little stronger language,” Lovett said. “It was unanimous with the town council against expansion of the land.”
Efforts to contact Eco-Vista’s attorney were unsuccessful. The ADEQ also declined to comment, citing ongoing litigation.
Mayor Angela Russell declined to speak on the city’s lawsuit, which is expected to have its next court hearing on September 5.
“This isn’t just a nuisance,” Lovett added. “Vapors are deadly. And in my opinion, they don’t have the proper engineering controls. Letting Mother Nature take her course isn’t working anymore.”
