For years the large numbers of old tires located on property behind Equity Bank were largely out of sight and nothing was done even as some of the tires were washing downhill and ending up near Black Bass Lake, which is popular for its scenic hiking trails. The job hasn’t been done earlier because it was considered a difficult undertaking to get the tires out of the steep hollow up to the road. But now a group of primarily volunteers is planning to remove between 200 and 400 tires starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 9.
Jacob Coburn, who heads the City Building and Inspection Department, said he received complaints about the large piles of garbage in the area, primarily tires. But it was not an easy lift. Tires are heavy, often filled with mud and water, some are partly buried, and the hills are steep. Recently an aerial drone was used to survey the problem.
“We found out there is a trail where we can drive a tractor and trailer to get into the wooded area and load up all these tires,” Coburn said. “I contacted the Carroll County Solid Waste Authority and was told if we could get the tires up to the road, solid waste would provide a shipping container to move the tires out for proper disposal. I’ve coordinated with local contractors who are going to volunteer. We are creating buzz around it; We are ‘tired of tires.’ I’ve had a good response about this, and contractors and Parks’ employees are willing to help out.”
Coburn said about 12 to 16 citizens have agreed to assist with the cleanup. More people are welcome and should come with boots and gloves and be prepared to get dirty. Equity Bank is providing food and drinks for volunteers.
“This is us wanting to clean up our environment,” Coburn said. “There are so many areas around town with trash that need to be addressed. There needs to be some action taken. I think it is wonderful that citizens are seeing I need assistance and I can’t do it on my own. They are willing to take time from their weekend, and I think that is awesome. If we create this momentum for cleanup, it is going to steamroll. It will have a positive impact with all the unsanitary conditions around town.”
Source of the tires is not known for certain.
From a code standpoint, Coburn said you don’t want leftover materials scattered through any area, especially near hiking trails and recreation areas. The tires could be retaining water allowing mosquitoes to breed. As they deteriorate, tires and other trash can also release pollutants into the ground and groundwater.
“It is trash in our environment that has been there for fifteen or twenty years,” Coburn said. “It is much more than just visual pollution. Just because something is difficult to do doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it.”
Sam Dudley, director of Eureka Springs Parks and Recreation Department, said because the problem has largely been out of sight, it has been out of mind.
“We needed someone to get everything organized and go do it because I think the whole community would like to get it done,” Dudley said. “That’s why Parks decided to get involved. It is right on Black Bass Lake’s doorstep. We volunteered our use of the Standing Rock Trail because you can drive a vehicle pretty far down. We will still have to hike them out a little bit. Black Bass Lake isn’t a drinking water reservoir, but it is never good to have pollution going into a lake. Obviously, if you have a lot of old tires in the swamp, you should clean them up.”