Despite blustery conditions, a small group of volunteers weren't deterred and put nearly two tons of trash and 38 tires from Bald Eagle State Forest in its proper place during a cleanup November 23, 2002.
Local residents joined members of the Mifflin County Chapter of PA CleanWays, Armagh Township and DCNR employees to brave wintry conditions and slippery slopes and tackle household trash on Siglerville-Millheim Pike, Kratzer Trail, and Havice Valley Road.
The effort was the second and final phase of a cleanup effort begun in April 2002. The sites were offensive amidst the peaceful surroundings and beauty of the serene mountain setting. The trash impeded enjoyment of the lush forestland and nearby rippling streams and springs.
Volunteers gathered at the nearby Unimart Travel Center and carpooled to the sites. Despite cold weather conditions and a light layer of snow, the dedicated group of ten removed 1.72 tons of trash and the tires. Together, they donated 44 hours of labor.
Armagh Township employees helped transport bags of trash to a roll-off container located at the centralized Havice Valley Road site. S&S Trash Service Inc. was contracted for the roll-off service and hauling. The Mifflin County Solid Waste Authority donated trash disposal. Tires were removed to a storage area for hauling by a recycling vendor. Armagh Township contributed equipment and a driver.
The property owner at the adjacent Havice Valley site plans to make site improvements to deter future dumping.
DCNR encourages Mifflin County residents to contact Kerry Tyson at the Mifflin County Solid Waste Authority with disposal and recycling questions by phone at (717) 242-3301 or by e-mail.
"Our volunteers did a wonderful job cleaning each of the sites despite uncooperative weather conditions. We appreciate their efforts and the support of local businesses and organizations in our efforts to clean up the Bald Eagle State Forest and keep it clean. The local CleanWays chapter truly owes its success to our dedicated volunteers," said Kimbra Shoop, field specialist for PA CleanWays.
Bald Eagle State Forest acreage is located in Centre, Clinton, Mifflin, Snyder and Union counties. It includes seven natural area and four state parks. It was named for the famous Indian Chief Bald Eagle and comprises 195,624 acres in the ridge and valley section of the state, with sandstone ridges rising up to 2,300 feet above sea level. The many streams in the area have their origin in the forest and flow in several directions, eventually emptying into the Susquehanna River, with one-third of the acreage serving as public watershed.
Learn about other illegal dump sites in state forests and parks.
This page last updated December 16, 2002.
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