During the year 2000, PA CleanWays surveyed illegal dump sites reported in 16 of the 20 Pennsylvania State Forests.
A total of 147 dump sites were surveyed as well as five littered sites. Of the 147 sites, 100 are active sites which are used presently for improper disposal.
Eleven of those sites are considered "chronic" dump sites, creating a continuing problem for forestry personnel who routinely remove the trash accumulating there.
Forty sites are considered inactive, where dumping has stopped, sometimes due to the placement of guiderails or gates or the elimination of vehicle pull-off areas on forestry roads. Seven sites have "unauthorized materials," large items such as culverts or abandoned vehicles with no signs of other trash.
The sites are estimated to contain between 600 and 1,050 dump truckloads of trash, which may weigh between 1,750 to 3,000 tons.
The dumps were grouped by size:
- 57 dumps contain one truckload or less
- 43 dumps contain more than one and less than five truckloads
- 18 dumps contain between five and ten truckloads
- 8 dumps contain between ten and 15 truckloads
- 10 dumps contain more than fifteen truckloads of trash.
Furniture and other large items were the most common type of item found in illegal dumps in Pennsylvania's State Forests, followed by tires, appliances, and daily household trash. Beer bottles were present in nearly half the sites.
Construction and remodeling materials (construction & demolition, or C&D) debris was found in over 40% of the sites, as were shingles. Vehicle parts were found in less than one-third of the sites.
Compostable materials (yard wastes, such as leaves, grass clippings, branches) varied in incidence: In some State Forests they were the major problem item; in others they were extremely minor. Animal carcasses were frequently found. Other materials included whole automobiles, culvert pipes, and other large items.
The dump sites cause ongoing problems for Pennsylvanians, including the following:
- They can pollute both ground and surface waters.
- They blight otherwise breath-taking vistas and the hundreds of miles of state forest roads, a negative effect on tourism.
- Hunters and anglers, looking for that big buck or catch, sometimes find a big pile of trash.
- Hikers, birders and others seeking solitude may find garbage instead.
- Illegal dumps serve as breeding places for disease-carrying mosquitoes.
- Most cost thousands of dollars and many hours of labor to clean up.
- They degrade pristine environments and threaten wildlife.
- They reduce our community pride.
Is the state forest dump site that concerns you listed? If so, send an e-mail to volunteer or learn more about the program. Your interest will help prioritize that site! If it isn't listed, send an e-mail to let us know about it. Or, call toll-free: 1-877-7PA-FOREST (1-877-772-3673).
