DNR Tells Us We're Not Smelling It!

"The DNR tells us we're not smelling it when we are smelling it" said Carthage City Councilman Ronnie Wells. Councilman Wells was expressing his frustration with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR). He said that the MDNR is not there on weekends and when they do get there the smell is gone because of the time difference from the call.

Bill Bryan, Missouri Attorney General's Office attended the Carthage City Council Meeting (Tuesday, August 22, 2006), to discuss the pending "Public Nuisance" lawsuit against Renewable Environmental Solutions, LLC (RES). He asked whether to "go to trial or do we have a satisfactory situation." Mr Bryan said that "If the problems (re)occur, we'll be back. We will jump on RES with both feet as hard and fast as we can."

Bryan said that the efforts of the suit had proven to be effective in that RES has taken better odor control measures, but added that there had still been reports of some odor emissions. Bryan said, "We can't smell your problem in Jefferson City," indicating that the City and residents must be responsible enough to make complaints, as timely as possible. Carthage Press, Wednesday, August 23, 2006.

The Joplin Globe, Thursday, August 24, 2006, reported that there have been sixteen complaints about odors in Carthage reported to MDNR since July 1st. The most recent complaints were reported Monday, August 21, 2006, from residents who said that they smelled the odors over the weekend.

Local resident, Tricia Orr said "I'm terrified that if the city drops the lawsuit, the company (RES) will go back to operating like they were and creating such an odor. " She explained that her primary concern "is that the city lawsuit is the only leverage we have left to keep them operating without significant odor. I don't think that they're afraid of MDNR, so this is the last thing they've got hanging over their heads."