MEB Cited For Emissions from Illegal Dumping

State water quality regulators determined Monday work to remove a fertilizer-like sludge dumped at Laurinburg-Maxton Airport's wastewater plant last year is inadequate, and ordered additional work done.

The North Carolina airport had originally been given a deadline of May 25 to get the sludge cleaned up and a fine of nearly $100,000 in civil penalties, according to The Associated Press.

The fine was intended to penalize MEB for illegal emissions and to offset the state's investigative costs, according to WRAL-TV.

Clean up efforts were slowed due to two areas that needed more work than was originally thought. Then, it was discovered an old plant building that once contained the sludge also needs cleaning, said Belinda Henson, spokeswoman for the state Division of Water Quality.

"It's been a much slower go than we had anticipated," she said.

The company hired to clean the wetlands portion, Environmental Hydrogeological Consultants Inc., re-cleaned the areas of note last week, according to spokesman, Thomas Ammons.

Atlantic Dewatering Services was hired to clean out the old plant, he said.

Henson said the state did not give a timeline for completion nor did they indicate when they will next appear for an inspection, according to the Fayetteville Observer.

Authorities suspect the treatment plant's former supervisor, Gary Arnett, of dumping the sludge.

Airport officials said they will appeal the fine.

FMI: www.lmairport.com