Three locations in Buchanan State Forest, Bedford County, were the targets of local residents, volunteers, and contractors who pulled nearly five tons of illegally dumped trash from the forest on March 16, 2002.
Among the volunteers contributing 192 hours to the project were members of the Bedford County Horseman's Association, Everett Lions Club, Hopewell Sportsmen's Club, AmeriCorps, and UPMC Neighborlink. Several local residents, along with Southampton and Mann townships and the forestry department, donated the use of equipment and trucks to the cleanup effort, organized by PA CleanWays of Bedford County.
Also donating to the cleanup were Friend's Cove Garage and Stottlemyer's Groom and Board. Equipment contractors were Jake Hoover's Septic Cleaning, Millers Recycling, and Roll Off Container Service.
Volunteers met at the forestry office in Chaneysville and then proceeded to two sites along Ragged Mountain Road in Southampton Township, one site on Shaffer Road and scattered sites along Big Mountain Road, both in Mann Township.
A total of 3.98 tons of trash, including more than ten appliances, gasoline tanks, construction debris, household trash, and 49 tires, were removed from the sites. A ton of scrap metal was also taken from the forest for recycling.
The tires and other trash contained water, serving as breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Appliances and other trash were taken from the Fifteen Mile Creek at one of the locations, and old fuel tanks and appliances were removed from the site along Shaffer Road.
"I hope that our appreciation for the job done by the volunteers, donors, and other supporters of these cleanups is matched by the pride that all those involved have in their efforts and the satisfying results," said Guy Stottlemyer, Executive Director for PA CleanWays of Bedford County.
To ensure proper disposal of waste, DCNR encourages residents to contact Bedford County Recycling Coordinator Regina Miller at 814-623-8099 with disposal questions.
The Buchanan State Forest was named in honor of James Buchanan, 15th President of the United States. It covers 75,000 acres in Bedford, Fulton, and Franklin Counties.
The Tuscarora Hiking Trail, covering a distance of 39 miles in the forest, follows the crest of Tuscarora Mountain, connecting with the Big Blue Trail near Hancock, Maryland.
