Town Hall Discussion: Denali Lawsuit Amended to Include Crawford County Business
A town hall meeting discussing a class-action lawsuit filed against Denali Water Solutions on October 18 was held recently in Sebastian County. The lawsuit aimed at ending the company’s operations at its Crawford County storage lagoon due to noxious odors and harmful emissions. Attorneys representing Bruce Spinas and RCB Management LLC, operators of River City Bistro in Fort Smith, added SSS of Crawford County LLC as a defendant in the lawsuit.
The updated lawsuit, filed in Crawford County Circuit Court, accuses Denali and SSS of Crawford County of creating a harmful nuisance, trespass, negligence, and economic losses due to the odors emitted. The lawsuit seeks injunctive relief to halt operations at the storage lagoon until the issues are resolved for the affected individuals. Additionally, the lawsuit is aiming for a class-action status for others facing similar problems.
During the town hall meeting, local officials like Crawford County Judge Chris Keith and state Rep. Brad Hall attended, along with residents from both Sebastian and Crawford counties. A resident highlighted the presence of chicken byproducts in the waste causing the smell, while another discussed a water cleaning prototype that could help eliminate the issue. Representatives from water management companies shared insights into proper waste disposal methods and water treatment processes.
Attorney Joey McCutchen encouraged affected individuals to join the class-action lawsuit. Denali spokesperson Nancy St. Pierre mentioned that the company had not yet seen the latest filing by the Fort Smith attorneys McCutchen and Stephen Napurano. The meeting revealed concerns about water contamination, with a water sample from Hollis Lake showing pollution. Despite discussions about the origin of contaminants, the focus remains on addressing the issue of odor and emissions at the Crawford County storage lagoon.
