Stark landfill called Ohio EPA's top priority
The Akron Beacon Journal
BOLIVAR - Dealing with a landfill in southern Stark County is the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency's No. 1 priority, the agency's new director said this morning.
Chris Korleski told the Stark-Tuscarawas-Wayne Solid Waste Management District that the Countywide Disposal and Recycling Facility is "significantly malfunctioning.''
The 258-acre landfill in Pike Township may have either a fire or major chemical reaction taking place underground, he said.
The agency doesn't yet know exactly what's happening and is still investigating, he told the standing-room only crowd at the meeting.
Korleski said he expects the Ohio EPA will make a recommendation to the Stark County Health Department by Feb. 21 on whether the landfill, which is owned by Republic Waste Services of Ohio, should get its 2007 operating permit.
Tim Vandersall, a spokesman for Republic Waste Services of Ohio, said he is confident that there is no fire, only a chemical reaction, and that the license will be renewed.
