Not to worry
I have read the Beacon Journal's recent news articles suggesting the presence of an underground fire at the Countywide Recycling & Disposal Facility in southern Stark County's Pike Township, and I am writing to assure your readers that there is no evidence to support any claim that there is a fire at Countywide.
To report that there is the possibility of a fire, based upon infrared technology, would be negligent, and any additional conjecture as to the impact on the liner system, groundwater supplies and air quality is completely irresponsible.
Natural decomposition causes heat and is a completely plausible reason for the presence of heat at the site (at undetermined temperatures in the infrared images). Also, the landfill now has had completed the placement of a cap over 30 acres, which may account for a larger area illustrated in these photos than in August, when only three acres of cap were present, through December, when all 30 acres of the cap had been installed.
While Countywide has not seen or had the opportunity to analyze these images, I am confident that there is not a fire at the landfill, based upon the direct observations and opinions of the many experts, contractors and regulatory officials who have been a part of monitoring and analysis that has been ongoing at the site for several months.
We will, as always, work with the regulators and landfill fire expert Todd Thalhamer to provide additional data, so their opinions may be formulated.
The Beacon Journal has successfully created a lot of unnecessary hype over the wrong question. Instead of, "Is it a fire or a reaction?'' the question should be, "Has Countywide acted responsibly and properly to manage the issue?''
If you ask that question, the answer is a definite, "Yes.''
The Countywide Recycling & Disposal Facility has been open and honest with the public and government agencies regarding these construction activities and monitoring conducted at the site to resolve odor issues.
Countywide has complied with every request of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and the Canton City Health Department with respect to this issue, and will continue to devote the necessary time and resources to properly assess and manage the affected area. We welcome the opportunity to review this evidence with additional experts to allay public concerns about the landfill.
Given the outrageous nature of claims and conjecture reported in these articles, readers should be aware that experts from the Ohio EPA who are familiar with the situation have reassured residents that the landfill does not present a danger to their drinking water.
We are committed to providing the public with accurate and timely information on any issues that may present a danger to public health and safety, and I am confident that such a circumstance does not currently exist at Countywide.
Tim Vandersall, General ManagerCountywide Recycling & Disposal Facility
East Sparta
