State EPA takes infrared photos of dump
The Times-Reporter
EAST SPARTA - Ohio Environmental Protection Agency officials borrowed a Highway Patrol helicopter Wednesday to photograph the Countywide Recycling & Disposal facility with an infrared camera.
The photographs could provide evidence of intense heat emanating from a problem waste cell.
A week ago, the OEPA worked out a deal with the California EPA to borrow Todd Thalhamer, an underground fire expert, to examine and determine whether the landfill is on fire.
The controversy was sparked last week when the Akron Beacon Journal published a report that Larry Davis, a pilot from Kent, took infrared photographs that indicated an underground fire at the landfill.
OEPA spokesman Mike Settles said Thalhamer was on board the helicopter for Wednesday’s flyover.
He said the EPA will examine Wednesday’s photos and those taken at the end of December by Davis.
“(Thalhamer) does not want to comment at all,” Settles said. “He wants to be able to do his fact-finding and review it. Whatever he finds will go through the Ohio EPA. If he finds it is in fact a fire, one of two things will happen. The landfill will cooperatively correct it on its own, or we will have to figure out how to get other actions taken. It will not be Todd calling the shots.”
Meanwhile, Chris Korleski will begin his tenure as the agency director today.
Settles said Korleski and Thalhamer may make an appearance at the Stark-Tuscarawas-Wayne Joint Solid Waste District meeting Friday.
Settles said the Countywide issues are among Korleski’s top priorities.
Tim Vandersall, Countywide general manager, said Wednesday his company will work with any requests made by Korleski and Thalhamer when they visit.
“I assume they want to view the site and look at our data,” Vandersall said. “We’ve had our own experts involved in this for almost a year. Everyone is entitled to his or her opinion, but we’re holding firm on our opinion.”
He said Countywide’s experts believe the heat is the result of a chemical reaction.
Last weekend, some area residents received letters from Countywide officials stating there was not a fire under the landfill and that any conjecture about a problem with the landfill’s liner or contaminated water is irresponsible and unfounded.
Jeff Rizzo, an Ohio Environmental Protection Agency hydrogeologist, told The T-R Monday there is no risk of contamination of area water aquifers.
Both Vandersall and the OEPA agree that aluminum dross – a waste product dumped at the landfill throughout the 1990s – is reacting with something to cause heat and odors.
Countywide stopped accepting aluminum dross in 2001. Vandersall contends that shutting down the landfill would serve no purpose because of that fact.
David Held, the solid waste district’s director, said he had confirmation Wednesday that Korleski would answer questions from the board of directors and the press before going to Countywide on Friday.
“We’re pleased to see the new director has been so responsive,” Held said. “Here he is on the second day of the job and he’s going to attend a district board meeting.”
He said district officials believe there may be more than just heat and odor issues at Countywide.
“Whether it’s a chemical combustion, fire or a combination of both, we have serious concerns about either scenario and hope to have this situation addressed so that the residents and businesses don’t have to endure this any longer,” Held said.
Tuscarawas County Commissioner Chris Abbuhl said he believes Friday’s session will be a “meet and greet” affair.
“I’m sure the new director will give us an update on where he’s at and ask about our concerns,” Abbuhl said, adding that he hopes Countywide’s issues are resolved soon.
According to Gov. Ted Strickland’s Web site, Korleski served as counsel to Honda of America in Marysville since 1996. During that time, he provided “comprehensive advice and representation to the company in the areas of environmental, safety and HAZMAT law.”
Korleski also was an assistant attorney general and from 1993 to 1995 supervised the Ohio Attorney General’s Clean Air Enforcement Program.
