August 26, 2003

On August 21, 2003, detectives from the DEQ Office of Criminal Investigations arrested Mr. Vernald Cole of Remus, Michigan. Mr. Cole operates a tire retail business in Clare, Michigan and was arrested at that location with the assistance of the Clare City Police Department. The arrest stems from a felony warrant authorized by the Clare County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and issued by the 80th Judicial District. Mr. Cole was lodged in the Clare County jail and later arraigned on the charges.

The charges stem from a DEQ investigation of scrap tire manifests containing false information regarding the final destination of scrap tires. The Michigan Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA) regulates the transport, accumulation, and processing of scrap tires. NREPA also requires the use of a manifest to track the origin and destination of a scrap tire shipment. Mr. Cole has been released on a $5,000/10 percent cash or surety bond pending a preliminary examination on the charges. He faces up to 14 years in prison for each of the two charges.

The improper storage of scrap tires is a serious concern for the DEQ. Improperly stored scrap tires can pose a serious fire hazard and provide breeding sites for mosquitoes that may carry pathogens such as the West Nile virus and encephalitis. Many of the scrap tires have been accumulated at unregistered collection sites with inadequate bonding as required by state law. Illegally transported scrap tires often end up at such unregistered sites. An amendment to the state law in 2002 resulted in changes to the scrap tire manifest system requirements resulting in better tracking of the disposition of these tires. According to George Bruchmann, chief of the DEQ’s Waste and Hazardous Material Division, “The accurate tracking of used tires is important to prevent illegal dumping. The DEQ will seek punishment for those who wish to scam the tracking system or create manifests that contain false or misleading information.” The Michigan Department of Attorney General has also filed civil lawsuits against Cole for two un-registered, non-compliant scrap tire collection sites located in mid-Michigan.

Editor’s note: DEQ news releases are available on the department’s Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

Revised August 26, 2003 by Pat Watson