A&L Salvage faces sanctions over poor operating record

The landfill has cleaned up its operation in recent weeks, an OEPA spokesman said.

LISBON — The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency said it is seeking financial sanctions against A&L Salvage Inc. because of its poor operating record.

OEPA Director Chris Korleski made the request Friday to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. No dollar amount was specified.

It will be up to the attorney general’s office to negotiate a figure with the company, said Mike Settles, an OEPA spokesman.

Settles also said that the OEPA still has not decided whether to approve the landfill’s license for 2007. The company can keep operating until a decision is made.

The landfill at 11255 state Route 45 in Center Township has been fined before, Settles said.

Last September, A&L paid a civil penalty of $13,000 for offenses in 2004. The landfill also had to pay a civil penalty of $56,533 in 2005 for taking solid waste when it is supposed to accept only demolition debris.

Reasons for the request

The new request is based on the landfill continuing this year to emit noxious fumes, improperly handle asbestos and take solid waste, Settles said.

The state declared the landfill a public nuisance earlier this year after residents complained of a “rotten egg” smell that caused nausea and headaches.

EPA inspectors found bags of asbestos had been broken open and had been buried outside of protective areas called cells.

Settles said the landfill has cleaned up its operation in recent weeks.

More than 600 county residents earlier this year signed petitions that asked 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.