TONTITOWN, Ark. — Nearly two weeks after voting to continue the expansion of Eco-Vista Landfill, the state is sending an inspector to investigate complaints of strong fumes from Tontitown residents.
On Dec. 13, the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality said it received complaints from residents and would send an inspector.
5NEWS reached out to Tontitown Mayor Angela Russell, inquiring about an interview, and initially received no response. She called hours later claiming to have just returned from the hospital after the landfill's fumes made her ill.
"I was nauseous, very nauseous. Headache. I felt like I couldn't breathe. And burning eyes, my eyes were burning so bad. I got up and went into my living room and my husband came in there. He said, 'I think it's tim that we take you to the hospital,'" Russell said.
Russell has lived next door to the Eco-Vista landfill for 33 years after moving onto her husband's family farm.
"My husband's lived here for over 60 years and his family has owned this property over 80 years," she said.
Russell expected a life of hobbies in her retirement from the University of Arkansas but said residents urged her to step into a political role.
"I had several citizens come to me and ask me to run for mayor because of the issues with the landfill," she explained.
Russell said she had multiple vials sent for testing. Regardless of the cause of her illness, the Tontitown mayor says something has to be done about the emissions coming from the landfill. She explains that she'll be sleeping on the other side of her home, furthest from the landfill, and has reached out to state representatives and state senators.
Russell's husband is already considering placing a for-sale sign on his family farm.
"I can look out my kitchen window and see my grandson jumping on the trampoline. I can look out my kitchen window and see my other grandchildren playing in the front yard. I love this place. I love Tontitown. I don't want to move," Russell said.
In a statement, Eco-Vista responded:
"The safety and environmental protection of WM Eco-Vista employees, customers, and communities is our highest priority and we meet or exceed strict regulatory criteria in accordance with our operating permits. Eco-Vista systems are designed and monitored by a team of experts and we are confident that they are protective of the environment and community health. In addition, the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment's Division of Environmental Quality (DEQ) frequently inspects the facility for compliance with its permits. Eco-Vista remains in good standing with DEQ and there are no outstanding compliance issues."
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