Commissioners order attorneys to pursue injunction after alleged railroad-tie dumping continues

Marion County commissioners on Nov. 4 directed county attorneys and code enforcement to pursue an injunction and all available remedies after staff reported apparent ongoing dumping of railroad ties and related materials at a site tied to TrackLine.

Assistant county attorney Linda Blackburn and code enforcement staff reported the county had issued a certified cease-and-desist notice on Oct. 24 and followed with additional outreach; staff said they also requested DEP guidance and an extension but observed additional material arriving at the site. Commissioners expressed frustration that letters and certified mailings had been ignored and instructed legal staff to file for a preliminary injunction and pursue parallel enforcement options, including an administrative or criminal litter ordinance where applicable.

Blackburn said she would prepare a petition for a preliminary injunction and that staff were also exploring parallel civil and criminal channels if statutory requirements can be shown. Commissioners emphasized urgency; the chair directed "all hands on deck" and asked staff to use every tool available to stop further dumping and protect nearby residential areas and springs.

What happens next: County attorneys will prepare injunctive paperwork and pursue immediate enforcement steps. Code enforcement will continue field work and coordination with DEP and sheriff’s resources; a board update will follow.

Quote: "They have gotten the letters... They have gotten them via email... This is a total disregard for county ordinances and I want you to go after them with everything that we have," the chair said.

Provenance: Staff updates and prolonged discussion beginning with notices and staff requests for legal recourse appear in the Nov. 4 meeting transcript.