Investigation: Legislators Fail on Dumping Laws

UPDATED: 3:34 pm EST

November 3, 2005

WARREN HILLS, Ohio -- NewsChannel5 uncovers how Ohio is being dumped on by other states and lawmakers failing to act. 5 On Your Side Chief Investigator Duane Pohlman tracks down the man some say is responsible.

Pohlman: Ohio is getting dumped on with construction and demolition debris.

Amie Crowder, neighbor: "Ohio's known as the Heart of it all, becomes the dump of it all."

Pohlman: Ohio's weak regulations have triggered dirt-cheap dumping.

Jack Shaner, Ohio Environmental Council: "Ohio has put the bullseye on its back."

Pohlman: In 2003, Ohio EPA said states were dumping nearly 3 million tons of waste on Ohio -- that's 40 percent of all construction and demolition waste dumped here. At Warren Hills, thousands of tons a day came from New York and other East Coast states.

Debbie Roth, Our Lives Count Organization: "This is Mount Trashmore."

Pohlman: The result?

Mark Durno, EPA Emergency Response Coordinator: "The risk was real."