An historical site in Delaware State Forest has been reclaimed from a dump site to wildlife habitat. The cleanup was the fourteenth conducted as part of the Forest Lands Beautification Program in 2000.

Over 14 tons of trash and nearly 11 tons of scrap metal were removed from the Lake Laura Trail, a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) site, in Palmyra Township, Pike County. Rusted steel culverts, 55-gallon drums, and other scrap metal were carefully sorted and recycled. The contractor for the job, Kohrs Excavating, then graded, seeded and mulched the site, which promises to become a haven for wildlife.

District Forester James Connor stated this historical site, part of a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) use area, accumulated debris during the development of state forests, parks, roads, and trails, and people within the community continued to deposit there. "Converting this site into a permanent herbaceous opening will create a unique wildlife habitat zone, and visitors will enjoy a variety of forest landscapes. I am pleased with the results and the program," he stated.

Contractors worked three days to reclaim the site, with the final step, mulching and seeding, pictured at left, completed November 16, 2000. ETS Hauling provided the roll-off containers and hauling. Just over ten tons of recyclable scrap metals were taken to DMS in Wilkes-Barre, and the Keystone Sanitation Landfill in Dunmore was the destination for the trash.

Delaware State Forest is located primarily in Pike County in northeast Pennsylvania, with portions in Monroe, Northampton, and Carbon counties. The forest totals 80,056 acres, lying in the heart of the famous Pocono Mountain Region, and its name is derived from the Delaware River, the watershed for the entire area. The river was named for the Delaware Indians who once inhabited the valley.

The site lies in the Big Bushkill Creek watershed, a tributary to the Delaware River. The county is known for its large population of black bears, and there was a record harvest in 2000.

The Milford Reservation Tract was cleaned in 2000.

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

This page last updated April 20, 2001.

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