Hundreds asking OEPA to target Center Twp. dump

State environmentalists are deciding what to do.
By D.A. WILKINSON
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
LISBON -- More than 600 people have signed petitions over operations at A & amp;L Salvage Inc., according to Columbiana County Commissioner Daniel Bing.
Bing said Wednesday that the petitions will be turned over to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. Gov. Ted Strickland, formerly of Lisbon, also asked for feedback from residents by phone or fax. Those numbers were not available.
In these petitions, residents ask for all unlicensed or illegal dumping to stop immediately, any solid or infectious wastes be removed, an evaluation of any contamination in areas around the landfill, disclosure of public records on the landfill's operation, the OEPA to pursue civil orders and penalties to clean up the landfill, and any applicable criminal prosecution.
Steven Callahan, the landfill's director of operations, could not be reached Wednesday afternoon.
Jerry Weber, an environmental specialist with the state EPA's department of solid and infectious wastes, said citizens have also filed nine verified complaints against the landfill. "Verified" means the complaint is formal, and the state EPA is required to investigate and respond.
Weber said the state was already aware of some of the issues raised in the verified complaints.
Aware of issues
State authorities are aware of a strong odor coming from the facility, lax handling of asbestos and taking solid waste when the landfill is supposed to be taking only demolition debris. The landfill at 11255 state Route 45 in Center Township has had to pay 69,554 in civil penalties for its improper actions since 2002.
The state EPA is looking at what to do about the operations at the landfill, and whether to renew the landfill's operating permit for 2007. The landfill can continue to operate under its 2006 permit, according to Mike Settles, a state EPA spokesman.
Weber, who works out of the state EPA's Northeast Ohio office, said he had met with EPA officials in Columbus to discuss the problems. He said he could not discuss the talks. There will be more talks about the various compliance issues before a decision is made; Settles and Weber said there is no deadline to make a decision.
Canoe liveries
It was announced at the commissioners' Wednesday meeting that two canoe liveries may be coming to Columbiana County.
Michael West, the vice president of Columbiana County's Scenic Vista Park, proposed that a livery be included as part of improvements being made to Steubenville Pike Road in Wayne Township.
West told commissioners that the work would allow room for parking for a few cars. Canoes would be able to enter the west fork of Little Beaver Creek.
Lisbon businesswoman Stevie Halverstadt said she planned to put in a livery on land she owns near Pondi's Restaurant and Bar, 8954 state Route 45. People can put canoes into the middle fork of Little Beaver Creek and dine at the restaurant, she said.