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Update on Norfork Overlook Estatesby Leon Alexander The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette published an article entitled "Site runoff spotlights state's need for cleanup power, regulators say" concerning the clean up of the Norfork Overlook Estates. This shows that we finally have the attention of the powers that be. (Webmaster's note: Due to the copyright placed on this article, we will not be showing the content. If you want to read it in its entirety, visit Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's Archive. The article states that Gov. Mike Beebe has submitted a request to the Legislature's Joint Budget Committee to allow the department to use up to $350,000 from its Environmental Settlement Trust Fund for a cleanup. This has been one the major hurdles in getting any positive action up until now. The response I always received was that there were no funds available to tackle such a large project. There were funds for Hazardous Waste Spills but not for Environmental Pollution. The total cleanup and restoration is estimated to be a minimum of $500,000, an amount I have discussed with the ADEQ Engineers. The AGFC will try and come up with the balance of $150,000. The other big news is that the ADEQ will ask the Baxter Circuit Court for permission to enter the site for the cleanup. The Hearing is scheduled for March 16. This is contingent upon securing the funds. According to reports made to the AR Pollution Control and Ecology Commission, this site is still unprotected from runoff caused by rain and is continuing to pollute the Norfork River. This situation continues to deteriorate even after the controls were put in place by the developer as they have proved to be inadequate. The missing information concerns the Developer's responsibility in this situation. The Hearing was reported to request the Baxter County Court to require the Developer to secure the site and stop the runoff through Injunctive Relief. Where is the Developer's liability in this ??? I guess we will have to wait and see how the courts handle this case. At any rate, we may be seeing a massive effort to finally secure the site after almost a year of pollution to the Norfork River. There are still many questions to be answered. Not the least of which is "How, When and Who will clean up the Norfork River"... At this point, if you have been following the series of events in the newspaper, we need to thank the AR Pollution Control and Ecology Commission for their involvement in forcing this situation to a conclusion. The ADEQ reports to this Commission and lately they have exerted pressure for answers and solutions to this situation. I would also like to commend the new ADEQ Commissioner, Ms Teresa Marks, for her prompt attention. I contacted her about 10 days after she assumed office and requested that the Norfork Overlook Estates be given a high priority and that we not lose the momentum we had prior to her appointment. I am very pleased to report that she personally visited the site within days of that conversation along with several members of her staff. She reported back to me that the case would receive the highest priority in ADEQ. I believe it is important to note that all the efforts, petitions, letters, e-mails and phone conservations are paying off at long last. Our voice was heard and action is being taken. It is also important to note that due to the size and degree of damage done at this site, the entire system of regulations, permitting and education to our local and state governments has changed. Everyone that has taken a part in these efforts needs to be complimented for staying the path and improving and, just maybe, preventing another Overlook from happening. |
