The town of Tyrone has been turned into the state’s Environmental Protection Division for what one resident claims is multiple violations of environmental law.

Retired biologist Dennis Chase wrote a column in Wednesday’s edition of The Citizen that outlines what he believes are problems with the way the town deals with environmental issues.

Specifically, Chases charged;
• The town is storing possible hazardous materials next to Town Hall.
• The town is maintaining an illegal landfill near Town Hall.
• Officials are filling in wetlands at Handley Park.
• Violations of sediment and erosion control measures are taking place in the Millbrook subdivision.

When informed of the charges Wednesday, town manager Barry Amos offered a one-sentence reply: “The facts do not back up Mr. Chase’s opinions.”

Amos also supplied an inspection report from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dated May 21, 2002. The report was filed after the Corps received a tip about filling in wetlands at Handley Park.

“If any wetlands existed here, they were very small ones. No enforcement action needs to be pursued at present,” concluded project manager Alan Miller in the report.

Chase said he plans to visit other locations in Tyrone and file more reports with EPD if he finds other violations.

“The very people we rely on to protect our fragile environment are doing the most damage,” Chase wrote.

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