A welcome decision
BOLIVAR - Finally, we have an Ohio Environmental Protection Agency director who’s willing to take action to deal with the ongoing problems at the Countywide Landfill north of Bolivar.
Chris Korleski, appointed as OEPA director last month by Gov. Ted Strickland, recommended Wednesday that the Stark County Health Department proceed with a proposed denial of the landfill’s annual operating license.
In a letter to the health department, Korleski said Countywide is not in substantial compliance with Ohio’s environmental laws, which it must be to receive its license.
“Specifically, the facility continues to emit nuisance odors; has failed to immediately extinguish or control a subsurface fire; and has experienced landfill temperatures that exceed performance standards,” according to an OEPA press release.
Residents in the vicinity of Countywide complained about the awful smell coming from the facility all last year but were met with repeated inaction by the OEPA. Koleski’s decision is a welcome change.
Unfortunately, denying Countywide a license to operate won’t solve the problems. It might, however, prevent another problem from developing.
