S.R. 403, Phase One
Gallitzin State Forest

Articles illegally dumped along SR 403 in Gallitzin State Forest included tires, household items, construction debris, and appliances. In addition to threatening the water quality of the Conemaugh River, the tires and some of the trash at this dump offered prime breeding sites for mosquitoes, potential carriers of West Nile virus.

Prior to the volunteer cleanup, Alternative Demolition pulled tires and other large objects up the steep slopes. Then, on May 1, 2004, organizers PA CleanWays of Cambria County and PA CleanWays of Indiana County met 19 volunteers at the Clark Run Trail parking area to receive cleanup supplies and a safety talk before proceeding. The area straddled both East Wheatfield Township in Indiana County and West Tayler Township in Cambria County.

The hard-working group donated a total of 66.5 hours to the project, cleaning along a mile of the roadway and several pull-off areas. The team was comprised of local residents and members of Waste Management, Inc., and Alternative Demolition.

Eight tons of trash were removed from the site and properly disposed and another 766 tires (735 car & 31 large truck) and four tons of scrap metal were recycled. In an effort to abate future illegal dumping, PA CleanWays, Inc. has been working with PENNDOT to eliminate the majority of the unneeded pull offs along SR 403.

Alternative Demolition, of Northern Cambria, provided hauling & labor, J-Town Johns, of Johnstown provided sanitation facility, and Chem-Handling Specialists of Ligonier provided chemical testing & recycling.

Gallitzin State Forest Cleanup Team Alternative Demolition Cambria Co. SWMA Chem-Handling Specialists Gallitzin State Forest Employees J-Town Johns Local Volunteers PA CleanWays of Cambria County PA CleanWays of Indiana County Sheetz of Johnstown Subway of Indiana Waste Management, Inc.

Donations were provided by Laurel Highlands Landfill of Johnstown (disposal), Bridgestone/ Firestone of Bloomingdale, IL (tire recycling), United/Anco Services, Inc., of Seward (tire storage), Cambria County SWMA of Ebensburg (waved license fee), Subway of Indiana and Sheetz of Johnstown (lunches for the volunteers).

DCNR encourages residents with questions about recycling and proper disposal to contact their county Recycling Coordinator in Indiana County (724) 479-0444 and in Cambria County (814) 472-2109.

The Gallitzin State Forest consists of two separate areas in Northern Bedford, Cambria, Indiana, and Northern Somerset counties, comprising 15,336 acres. The Babcock Division in Northern Somerset County is the largest tract and includes the scenic Babcock State Forest Picnic Area along Route 56, four miles east of Windber. The Clear Shade Wild Area and the John P. Saylor Trail also provide recreational opportunities. The Charles F. Lewis Natural Area is located at the western end of the Rager Mountain Division near Cramer in Indiana County. This 384-acre unique scenic area includes the two-mile Clark Run Trail, which winds through the Clark Run Gorge with its numerous small waterfalls and interesting geologic features. The lands are open to hunting, fishing, and general recreation.

Learn about other illegal dump sites in state forests and parks.

This page last updated June 15, 2004.

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