Photo taken by ADEQ of old quarry pit as part of investigation
A state investigation into allegations of hazardous dumping at the old Baxter County quarry has found no water quality violations, according to an inspection report recently obtained by KTLO, Classic Hits and The Boot News.
Concerns surrounding activity at the County Road 69 quarry were raised last year, when Baxter County Judge Kevin Litty addressed public allegations involving possible hazardous dumping at the site, as previously reported by KTLO in August 2025.
Formal complaints were filed in July 2025 by Jim Baker and Betty Evans, prompting an investigation by the Arkansas Division of Environmental Quality (ADEQ). Baker, who is currently a candidate for Justice of the Peace District 9, alleged the county allowed disposal of road materials, wastewater and dirt into a quarry pit connected to his pond, raising concerns about possible contamination. Evans alleged illegal dumping and burning at the long closed quarry and claimed standing water from the site had negatively impacted nearby well systems serving multiple households.
An ADEQ inspector conducted an unscheduled on-site evaluation Feb. 11 with Judge Litty and Baxter County Road Department Superintendent Larry Carter present. The investigator examined claims that drilling mud and wastewater had been dumped into the water filled quarry pit but reported no evidence the material had entered the pit. Inspectors described the water as clear at the time of evaluation.
ADEQ photo shows partially buried debris at quarry
The report states drilling mud from Black Hills Energy had previously been allowed at the site but was deposited on ground southeast of the pit rather than into the water. Those activities were discontinued in August or September 2025, and ADEQ advised the county must contact the agency before any similar disposal activity resumes. The inspector told Judge Litty that any solid waste must be removed and the Judge stated that it would be.
Photo taken by ADEQ shows debris by County and NAEC
The inspector also noted North Arkansas Electric Cooperative had been bringing in tree debris for staging prior to burning. The report states the county has allowed the material on site for that purpose, though officials advised vegetative debris should not be buried and recommended establishing an additional staging area to prevent piles from expanding.
While no water quality violations were identified and no discharge impacting nearby waterways was observed, inspectors did identify partially buried solid waste south of a tree debris pile. ADEQ directed the county to remove the material and properly dispose of it at a landfill.
The ADEQ evaluation concluded and Baxter County was not cited for violations, though corrective cleanup actions are required and continued coordination with state regulators will be necessary moving forward. Besides removing solid waste and ensuring no vegetative debris is buried, the county must monitor storm water runoff and monitor areas used by NAEC to ensure any chemical or petroleum spills are remiated.
The following is the full investigative report from ADEQ:
ADEQ REPORT ON OLD BAXTER COUNTY QUARRY
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI