MOUNTAIN HOME — The Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality said it has fired a landfill inspector after it was revealed that he frequently hunted on a 700-acre landfill tract in north Baxter County.
Gary Meador had inspected the NABORS landfill for 25 years along with facilities in 13 other Arkansas counties. He came under scrutiny after The Baxter Bulletin reported that Meador's recreational vehicle was found at the landfill last month.
The property is not open to the public for hunting.
Meador told the newspaper that he plans to appeal his firing. He said he stands by his work and that he never gave anyone preferential treatment. Meador also said he was "one of many" people who had permission to hunt at the landfill.
An agency spokesman confirmed Meador's termination but declined further comment.