DEVELOPMENT CRISIS WORSENING

[John Berry]

Last night, I sat and talked to my friend Leon Alexander. He is a member of the Norfork Planning Commission and has been the key whistle blower in the continuing saga of the pollution of our beloved Norfork River by Benny Doyal, the irresponsible developer of Norfork Overlook Estates. Last friday we had a five inch rain event in the Norfork area. The resulting deluge washed away all of the silt fences and erosion controls that had been erected to correct the devastation that had occurred on the site by Mr. Doyal in his illegal development of the tract in the proximity of the fragile ecosystem we know as the Norfork River. The result was that the dams on the sediment basin failed and tons of topsoil poured into the Norfork. All of the Hydromulch that had been applied to the mountain side was washed away.

As a result of citizen complaints, an inspector from ADEQ visited the site on Monday to review the damage. He issued a memorandum that said that Mr Doyal was in violation of an emergency order issued in May to cease polluting the Norfork River. In an article in today's Baxter Bulletin Mr Doyal claims that he was in compliance with the order and his work had been approved by the ADEQ. ADEQ has not issued a stormwater permit for the site. Mr Doyal says that the rain event was overwhelming and the pollution will occur everytime that a rain like that occurrs.

This is not acceptable. It is obvious that Mr Doyal is trying to do as little as he can. It is my opinion that Benny has committed a crime and must be held accountable. He must be required to fix the problem and should pay damages to the State. He is perilously close to destroying the most precious asset we have. The Norfork is the absolute best Trout Stream in the area and one of the best in the world.

Word on the street is that TU has mailed an intent to sue. I hope they have. I generally want to give anyone the benefit of the doubt but that time has passed. It is time to get serious with this guy. I think he needs a wake up call!

[snagged in outlet 3]

Hi John.

I read the article and this guy makes me sick. I just don't understand how the great state of Arkansas has allowed this continue. Sigh!!!!!! The Gov's office has totally ignored this problem. Just remember this when he runs for President.

Snagged.

[Danoinark]

John, I totally agree. I know at least one person that has emailed and phoned without luck the President of the National TU. He has not received any response. I have personally written the Governors Office, Both candidates for Governor in Ark and have not recieved any response from ANY politican concerning this travesty. I for one think a taxpayers suit is in order, or a class action lawsuit. ..Dano

Here are pictures of the damage being done after the last 5 inch rain on the Norfork. These are posted on John Wilson's FF forum.

http://p222.ezboard.com/fflyfishingarkansa...icID=2697.topic

[Wayne SW/MO]

Word on the street is that TU has mailed an intent to sue.

This was my question as I read your post John. If this guys goes belly up over his indiscretion, then maybe others won't emulate it on other waters.

[John Berry]

Point well taken! Benny has supposedly already spent $160,000.00 trying to fix this problem and I think that is the tip of the iceberg. My concern is that, when everyone is finished fining and suing him, will he have enough money to fix the problem. I do not want to hurt this guy. I want to hold his feet to the fire and make him fix the crisis he created. He has endangered the gem in the crown that is our Natural State.