Cleveland business owner pushes back on illegal burning concerns after years of complaints

CLEVELAND, Tenn. — A Cleveland business owner is defending himself after neighbors raised concerns about suspected illegal burning on his property.

The concerns first surfaced after a viewer shared drone video with our newsroom.

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) told us that video appears to show illegal burning happening at Cleveland Roll Off Rentals.

Now, the owner of that business is pushing back.

If it's been going on for five years, why do we have 10 seconds of video? Why don't we have multiple?” said owner David McCartt.

State records show TDEC has received complaints and conducted investigations tied to the property dating back to 2021.

Documents show a burning complaint in May 2021 where agents reported seeing no burn piles, followed by a violation for dumping construction waste later that year.

Additional complaints about burning were logged in 2024 and 2025, along with reports that “no trespassing” signs prevented closer inspection. In January of this year, agents scheduled an inspection but did not issue a violation tied to the neighbor’s video.

McCartt told us this week that he has records of his own.

He showed receipts dating back to 2020 that he says document instances where burning has occurred on the property.

He also disputes the idea that state officials have been blocked from accessing his land.

“What I didn't realize is they're following it as we can't access the property, which is just simply not true,” McCartt said.

TDEC responded to that claim, saying its staff followed standard procedure.

“TDEC's guidance to staff when called to inspect a property with a no trespass sign posted, which is to not access the property and attempt to contact the owner to schedule a time for an inspection. This guidance was followed by our staff,” the agency said.

McCartt says he understands neighbors may be frustrated but maintains he is operating within the law.

“I mean, I get that they're upset... but everything I do is legal,” he said.

Records from Bradley County show the property has also been reviewed for zoning concerns. The business was cited once in 2022 for inoperable vehicles.

County documents say air quality concerns fall under TDEC’s authority.

We’re continuing to follow this story and working to learn whether any further action could be taken.

Depend on us to keep you posted.