Volunteers assisted Buchanan State Forest personnel in removing trash from two sites along State Route 16 on the Fulton and Franklin county border in a two-phase cleanup effort.
During the first phase April 7, 2001, three truckloads of trash and 119 tires were pulled from the forest. People who got the job done that day included Mercersburg Academy students, the Franklin County Conservation District, PennDOT of Chambersburg, the state Department of Environmental Protection, and state forest employees. The McConnellsburg Sheetz store provided drinks for the thirsty volunteers.
Trash was taken to the Blue Ridge Landfill in Scotland, and tires were recycled by Beecher's Auto Salvage of Fayetteville.
During the Phase II cleanup on May 19, 2001, nineteen volunteers contributed a total of 71 hours to finish cleaning just over three tons of trash from the sites. Some worked as late as 3 p.m. to load trucks by hand. Forestry personnel worked through lunch to remove brush and a fallen tree so volunteers could access bulky items found underneath.
Returning for the second phase were Mercersburg Academy students, who were joined by individuals from the Cornell Abraxas Youth Center of South Mountain, Fulton County; and the Fulton County Probation Department. Once again, IESI Chambersburg Hauling took the trash to the IESI Blue Ridge Landfill, and PennDOT of Chambersburg also supported the cleanup. Bi-Lo Market of McConnellsburg donated sodas and ice.
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.
Learn more about other illegal dump sites in state forests and parks.
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This page last updated June 7, 2001.
