SPRINGDALE, Ark. — An administrative judge gave a recommended decision saying plans to expand the Eco-Vista landfill should continue despite concerns from area residents.
The recommended decision will be presented to the full commission for a final decision on Dec. 1.
The recommended decision reads, "There are no material facts in dispute regarding the applicability of Rule 22.203(C) to the issues raised by Individual Plaintiffs and grants summary judgment in favor of Eco Vista on this issue."
In the court documents, anyone who disagrees with the decision can request to speak during oral arguments at the commission meeting. The deadline to request to speak is Oct. 30. You can find details on how to do so here.
The judge said in his order the Tontitown City Council's original decision to expand the landfill back in 2017 stands, despite attempts to later revoke the original decision.
State regulators approved a permit for the landfill to expand in March, and a month later, the City of Tontitown filed an appeal with the Arkansas Pollution Control and Ecology Commission.
The city and the residents who filed an appeal say in those appeals that trash from haulers using the landfill litters the city's streets. They also insist the expansion permit be denied because fires frequently break out at the landfill. They also cite air and water quality concerns.
The Eco-Vista landfill is Northwest Arkansas' only licensed public landfill.
The landfill was first permitted for landfill activities in 1979. The property totals 609-acres, including a 147-acre municipal solid waste landfill and a 60-acre construction and demolition debris landfill, composting area, recycling drop-off station, landfill gas-to-energy facility and a certified wildlife habitat area.