Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, April 14, 1991 TAG: 9104120514
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Marianna Fillmore
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
Montgomery County Sheriff's Deputy Larry Waddell estimates that illegal dumping in the county has tripled in the past 18 months.
"I could take you to some illegal dumps that would make your eyes bug out," he said.
Sugar Grove on Virginia 674 near Christiansburg, the site of an intense cleanup effort last April, is trashed again - and on the list of illegal dump sites for this year's Bloomin' and Broomin.'
Breaks Road on Poor Mountain in Elliston was completely cleaned up two years ago.
"I mean refrigerators, stoves, carpets, garbage, everything you could imagine," Waddell said. Today, it's just as bad as ever.
"Over in Alleghany near Shawsville there is a dump 40 feet deep and 80 feet wide, with a creek running right through the middle of it," Waddell said. "It's got everything in there. We turned that one over to the state."
Waddell, Randall Bowling, a civil engineer with the county, and others involved with Broomin' and Bloomin' think the new county landfill-user fee, starting last July, has caused an increase in illegal dumping. The fee is $15 a ton and will increase to $26 this July. Previously, there was no charge.
Tom Greene, mapping coordinator for Broomin' and Bloomin,' thinks a lot of illegal dumping takes place because it's easier and cheaper than taking trash to the landfill.
He said the county should waive the fee occasionally, and perhaps the towns could could have one day or a week when they would pick up debris from residents without charge.
"I know resources are tight, but we need to look at ways to eliminate illegal dumping," Greene said.
The fees, intended to finance landfill maintenance and equipment, may be backfiring by causing more trashing throughout the county, Waddell added.
The problem is compounded by private landowners who accept any kind of garbage or debris to fill ravines or sinkholes on their property. That practice not only is illegal, but it also harms the environment.
The Virginia Department of Waste Management encourages citizens to report litter-law violations by mail.
By filling out a preprinted post card available from the department, they can record the date and location of the violation and the license plate number of the vehicle that brought the trash. The department will write a letter to the vehicle's registered owner and advise the owner of the penalties of such violations.
But it's difficult for law enforcement agencies to charge people with illegal dumping.
"It is almost always done in secluded places and at night," Waddell said. A person who is convicted usually is sentenced to a number of hours of community service, often picking up trash.
Although the punishment would seem to fit the crime, Waddell pointed out that there's not enough personnel or resources to enforce the community-service sentence. A person who does not comply with the service hours is required to pay a minimum $250 fine.
Despite the overwhelming support and turnout for Broomin' and Bloomin, Jim Sorenson, chairman of recycling, said, "It is unfortunate that the cleanup has to take place to begin with. People should clean up their own acts."
by CNB