By Heather Clower
The Parsons Advocate
Recently an individual contacted Tucker County Prosecuting Attorney Ray LaMora with concerns over dumping sites located on Timberline property. LaMora assisted the individual in filing a formal complaint on three of the four dump sites and their descriptions. According to the complaint, the first consisted of two abandoned trucks, the second was located next to the Boy Scout Bunkhouse, and the third is locally referred to as “the bone yard”. Allegedly two have been there for years and the vehicles, with beds full of trash and empty propane tanks, have been there for several months. The fourth area of concern, not included in the initial complaint made to the Department of Environmental Protection is noted to be just a few yards away from the main water supply pump house used to supply fresh drinking water to the Timberline Utilities customers.
On March 18, the DEP followed up with the complaint and conducted an investigation of the allegations made in the report. The investigation findings were listed as follows: “There are two trucks abandoned in parking lot with waste in the beds. Behind the bunk house there is a large pile of trash, tires, recycled parts, building materials, mattresses, and more. There are also some old plastic and rusted culverts disposed of by the bone yard”. Action taken was noted as informing the owners, Tracy and Frederick Herz that they have 30 days to clean up the areas. The investigation report also included several pictures and maps detailing the exact location of the dump sites as well as the severity of the situations.
According to the state code in violation, the Herz are to “have created an open dump without approval from the DEP.” The Herz’s are required to “remove all solid waste material (i.e. tires, mattress, furniture, etc.) from the location and taken to an authorized waste facility and receipts will need to be retained as proof of proper disposal for the DEP.” The Herz’s have thirty days to comply with the requirements set forth by the DEP or further actions could be taken.
Attempts were made to contact the DEP for a statement and information regarding the next steps in the investigation along with the penalties associated with failure to comply, however no contact was made prior to publication.