Hazardous Waste Division

Clyde Rhodes, Chief - (501) 682-0833

HAZ-MERT Bankruptcy

In July 2009, the Haz-MERT facility operated at 510 West Post Road in Rogers filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection.

While operating at this location, Haz-MERT transported and managed hazardous, universal, and household waste, and used oil. Many containers of these materials remain on-site. ADEQ inspectors conducted an inspection of the facility July 20, 2010, and discovered leaking containers in a warehouse that could have resulted in a fire or chemical reaction. These containers were repackaged for safety.

Officials from ADEQ state the hazardous substances that remain in the current storage containers create a continued risk of release. ADEQ issued an emergency order August 2 to the facility bankruptcy trustee requiring all hazardous substances be removed from the site no later than October 15, 2010.

Additional Background And Information

"Hazardous Materials, Emergency Response & Training, Inc., a.k.a. Haz-Mert, and its principals Melissa and Shannon Weathers, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection in July 2009. Haz-Mert utilized two facilities in Rogers, Arkansas. Material was left on site which must be properly disposed of. The bankruptcy trustee informed ADEQ that there would not be sufficient assets in the bankruptcy estate to pay for proper disposal. Therefore, ADEQ contacted the potentially responsible parties (PRPs) about the waste removal. At a meeting of the PRPs held on Friday, February 5, 2010, the Director agreed to make documents that were of common interest to the PRPs available through ADEQ's website.

After the PRP notices were mailed, ADEQ learned from a PRP that the Trustee was negotiating with Waste Services for the removal of the waste. ADEQ contacted the Trustee who confirmed that talks had occurred, but no agreement had been reached. In response to the possibility of an agreement by the Trustee for clean-up, ADEQ has agreed to extend the date to receive a waste removal plan from the PRPs to April 19, 2010.

As a result of the meeting of February 5th, 2010, a PRP meeting was planned for March 4th from 10am to 12pm at The Jones Family Center, located at 922 E. Emma Avenue, Springdale, Arkansas. Please note that this meeting is not ADEQ directed or sponsored and solely the efforts of the PRP group. ADEQ does not anticipate being present at this meeting."

Additional Links

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