TEXARKANA, Ark. -- The state is continuing to vet allegations an oil-based material was inappropriately disposed of at a Miller County road department barn in Fouke, Arkansas.
The Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment received a complaint last week about the barn, at 400 E. Beech St. The agency dispatched an inspector to the site Aug. 24 to gather information and assess the situation.
"After sending an inspector last week, E&E has decided to investigate further and is sending inspectors both from (the) Office of Water Quality and Office of Land Resources today," the agency said Wednesday in an email.
Speaking on condition of anonymity last week, two residents claimed the disposed material was a mixture of outdated road sealant and other oil-based substances that were being stored in a single, riveted tank at the barn.
The residents allege that on Aug. 23, the tank was drained into a pit dug under the container. Once the tank was empty, sand was placed into the pit to absorb the oil. The mixture then was excavated and hauled away.