After a series of inspections between October and December, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency has levied a $35,923 civil penalty against the operators of the Apex landfill in Amsterdam.

Inspectors from the state agency and the Jefferson County Health Department determined that Apex had violated the terms of its permit and state law by not controlling the odor emanating from the facility.

Jefferson County Commissioner Tom Graham, who has been critical of both the operators and state regulators, called the settlement agreement good news.

"The residents out there have been through a living hell in regard to those odors," said Graham. "It's unfortunate and I'm glad to see OEPA is doing something in regard to this matter."

Perhaps the biggest blow to Apex came in a letter OEPA sent to the facility's general manager effectively freezing any proposed expansion until the odor problem is under control.

"OEPA's Southeastern District Office will not continue our review of this application until odors from the facility have been abated for an extended period of time," wrote Richard Fox, supervisor for OEPA's Division of Materials and Waste Management.

Apex said Thursday it has cooperated with inspectors and will continue to work to control the odors. The company proposed installing a series of gas collection wells to control the odors.

"Apex landfill cooperated fully with the state EPA and the county to reach this settlement and we remain committed to being a good corporate neighbor in the region," wrote Apex board chairman Ross M. Patten in a statement sent to NEWS9.

To read the full settlement agreement between OEPA and Apex Environmental, LLC, click here.