Ark. County Agency Tables Discussion on MRF

Questions concern whether proposed facility would need special permits to build and operate.

The Benton, Arkansas County Planning Board has opted to postpone a discussion and vote on a material recovery facility to be located in an unincorporated part of the county.

The reason for the halting of discussion of the facility was an uncertainty over permitting requirements needed by the proposed facility.

The biggest sticking point is whether the proposed facility needs a certificate from the Tri-County Solid Waste District. Opponents of the project claim that the move to incorporate a recycling component in with the transfer station is a way to avoid needing a certificate need.

According to local press reports Roll Off Service, an Arkansas-based company, was looking to build a facility that would be able to sort recyclables out of garbage. Roll Off Service would sell the recyclable material and haul the remaining solid waste to an out-of-state landfill.

The issue is expected to be addressed in the Benton County Planning Board next month. According to a spokeswoman for the Planning Board there will be a technical review at the March 12 meeting, while March 19th will be devoted to taking in comments from the public at large.