nearby over the years, but
Lantrip, Butler and others spoke up about this latest effort. They
organized in May 1999 when George Wilcox's permit application was approved, and the nascent organization appealed the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality's decision.
Wilcox withdrew his sludge permit application five weeks ago after Save Scott and Old River Association attorneys presented a report claiming Wilcox had a history of violating environmental laws and regulations.
Attorneys Allen Perkins and Julie Greathouse based the appeal on Arkansas Code Annotated 8- I - 106, which allows the Department of Environmental Quality to deny permits to applicants with histories of noncompliance with environmental laws.
Wilcox now plans to put mobile homes on his Scott community property, said Albert Thomas, his attorney.
"He just decided to change his business direction," Thomas said.
Wilcox was not immediately available for comment Wednesday.
Not only did the state Pollution Control and Ecology Commission turn down the Wilcox Land and Cattle Co.'s plan to dump sludge in Scott, but the panel also agreed to terminate the permit permanently.
"It's over. You've saved Old River Lake," Perkins told the group Wednesday.
Though this battle appears to be over, the community group has no plans to disband. Secretary Marilyn DeRoche collected donations in a big glass jar after Wednesday's press conference, while Riles gathered members of the association's water quality committee for an impromptu meeting in the parking lot.
Members said they want to be ready in case anyone else comes along with plans to dump sludge in Scott.
After all, they say, there's something here worth protecting.
This article was published on Thursday, November 2, 2000
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