A state environmental review board Friday set aside a consent order between state regulators and a company connected to the Bella Vista stump dump fire that would potentially release the company from having to pay for the fire's extinguishment.
The Bella Vista Property Owners Association, which challenged the agreement, presented new evidence that merits a hearing on the matter, the Arkansas Pollution Control and Ecology Commission determined in a vote with no vocal opposition. The property owners association contended that the consent order contradicted an order that it had signed with the Arkansas Division of Environmental Quality. The new order, the association argued, meant it would have to swallow the $4 million expense it incurred putting out the fire without the potential to recoup money from others who were responsible, such as the company, Fredericks Construction.