On April 10, 2009, the Attorney General's Office filed suit in Franklin County Circuit Court seeking to compel Leo J. Peirick, Jr. to properly dispose of more than 175,000 scrap tires at three different properties owned by Mr. Peirick in Union, Missouri. If Mr. Peirick fails to properly dispose of the scrap tires within 60 days of the injunction, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources will use funds available as a result of a tire surcharge to clean up the nuisance itself. Mr. Peirick will owe the Department the entire cost expended by the Department to abate the nuisance.

The accumulation of improperly stored scrap tires causes a serious threat to public health and safety due to increased risk of combustion and infestation by vectors, such as mosquitoes. Missouri's Scrap Tire Regulations require tires to be stored in accordance with the 2006 International Fire Code, which is incorporated into the Scrap Tire Regulations at 10 CSR 80-8.020(4)(A)1. Among other things, Mr. Peirick is storing thousands of tires too close to structures without adequate fire lanes that could ensure access to the tires if needed. If the tires caught fire, smoke, fumes, oil run-off, and particulates at the sites would be hazardous to public health, safety, and welfare. One passenger car tire may produce 2 gallons of oil when burned.

If you know of anyone who is unlawfully storing scrap tires in your area, please call the Department of Natural Resources regional office closest to you and file a formal complaint. You can also visit our Complaint page to file an online complaint with our Office.