LITTLE ROCK -- The state's environmental agency has approved a permit for a business owner who wants to build a crematorium near an elementary school outside Russellville.
The Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality notified Jim Bob Humphrey, owner of Humphrey Family Properties of the decision in a letter Wednesday.
An opponent of the plan, Scott Steuber, emailed a copy of the letter to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette on Thursday.
Numerous area residents raised health questions about the level of mercury and other emissions from the proposed crematorium since it would be near Center Valley Elementary School.
As a result, Humphrey submitted a revised proposal to move the facility farther from the school. But those opposing the plan still fought it during a public hearing in early April by the environmental agency.
In a section included with the letter granting the permit, the environmental agency noted differing comments offered during that hearing.
"Testimony was heard from a toxicologist asserting that there will be no appreciable risk from the crematory," the agency wrote.
"Additional documents were presented to demonstrate acceptable risk of crematories and to note the location was adjusted to exceed [1,000] feet from the school property due to concerns," it added.
"Other commenters spoke against the approval arguing that the risk was unknown, that any risk was unacceptable and there were too many unknowns regarding emissions," the agency wrote.
The Humphrey family on Thursday issued a statement, sayings its members "would like to thank ADEQ for their research and efforts to respond to the inquiries of all the concerned citizens."
The family also thanked a representative of the Center for Toxicology and Environmental Health and community members who spoke at the public hearing.
"Center Valley Memorial Gardens will be a beautiful addition to the River Valley that we believe the community will be proud of," the statement added. "We want to reiterate that providing a safe environment for our children will be the first priority at Humphrey Funeral Service and Center Valley Memorial Gardens."
Steuber said in an email the agency hasn't tested to determine how much mercury would be coming from the proposed crematorium.
"The only line of defense we had was the ADEQ and they have once again dropped the ball," he said.
Steuber said he was sure he and other opponents will argue against the plan again when Humphrey takes it to the state Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors to seek a construction license.
No crematory permit public hearings were scheduled as of Thursday before that board, according to its website.
NW News on 05/08/2015