Today in Estill Circuit court, a hearing took place for a motion to dismiss charges levied by the county fiscal court versus Advanced Disposal Service over dumping of radioactive waste that occurred back in 2015.
After an hour of deliberation and a recess, it was decided that the fines and damages would be tabled for the moment against the landfill. Judge Jean Chenault Logue issued a 90 day preservation order of three acres of the blue ridge landfill in order for testing to be done. With the order, the three acres will be mapped out during the time frame and no more dumping will take place within the area.
Counsel for the County Fiscal Court, Environmental lawyer Mike Stag of Smith Stag LLC, said that this is a win for them and their client as more information is needed to be gathered.
There are 7 acres that are potentially contaminated with the waste, and Judge Logue may issue an order on the entirety of the acreage before the next hearing on November 10th if more information and testing is deemed necessary.
Clad in green, concerned citizens of Estill county showed up in solidarity at the hearing to see what the ruling would be involving the waste, which until the order was laid down today, was still being dumped on.
The Energy and Environmental Cabinet had sent in their corrective action plan within the past two days regarding the waste in the landfill, and two representatives were in the courtroom to answer questions. WBON-TV did not get a chance to get a statement from the defense after the court adjourned.
