NEWS RELEASE

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
Department of Conservation
and Natural Resources
Commonwealth News Bureau
Room 114, Main Capitol
Harrisburg, PA 17120

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Gretchen Leslie
DCNR Press Secretary
(717) 772-9101

DCNR NAMES 2004 DIRTY DOZEN DUMPSITES

HARRISBURG (March 29, 2004) — Appliances, furniture, tires, bottles and cans are just some of the many items found in this year’s “Dirty Dozen” dumpsites, a list selected by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to demonstrate the pervasive nature of dumping in Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests.

“Thankfully, it is becoming more difficult to come up with our list of 12 offending dumpsites each year,” DCNR Secretary Michael DiBerardinis said. “That’s because over the life of the Forest Lands Beautification Program, we’ve cleaned up more than 200 dumps on state park and forest lands.

“But there are still sites out there that continue to contaminate our groundwater, spoil wildlife habitat, create hazards for outdoor enthusiasts and ruin scenic vistas,” Secretary DiBerardinis said. “We hope the Pennsylvania community will continue to support the Forest Lands Beautification Program during 2004 and beyond by properly disposing of their trash and volunteering to help clean the ‘Dirty Dozen’ sites as well as others located throughout the Commonwealth.”

The 12 illegal dumpsites named to the 2004 “Dirty Dozen” were selected as a cross section of the dumpsites identified throughout the state. The sites are on slopes, in streams, on islands and near scenic vistas. They contain about 750 tons of appliances, tires, construction debris, household trash and other types of refuse.

DCNR works in partnership with PA CleanWays, a non-profit organization, to identify dumpsites and to form community volunteer teams to help remove the waste. Volunteers also monitor the cleaned areas to deter future dumping and adopt the sites to keep them clean.

Almost 300 illegal dumpsites have been identified throughout Pennsylvania. To date, approximately 220 sites have been cleaned through the efforts of contractors and more than 2,000 volunteers. These cleanups have resulted in the removal and proper disposal of nearly 2,800 tons of household trash, 23,000 tires, 280 tons of scrap metal, 640 tons of concrete and more.

For more information on the Forest Lands Beautification Program or to join a cleanup effort, call 1-877-7PA-FOREST (1-877-772-3673) or visit www.CleanPAForests.org.

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EDITOR’S NOTE: A list and description of the “Dirty Dozen” follows. Photos of the sites are available by contacting Christine Bega at (717) 846-1500 x227 or cbega@barrygroup.com.

DIRTY DOZEN 2004

• Gallitzin State Forest, East Wheatfield and West Taylor townships, Indiana and Cambria counties—This dumpsite contains an estimated 25 tons of trash located within about 50 feet of the Conemaugh River. The trash has been illegally dumped in a series of pull offs along a 1.5-mile section of SR 403. A cleanup is planned for May 1, 2004.
• Jacobsburg State Park, Bushkill Township, Northampton County—An estimated four tons of appliances, vehicle parts and metal items are located in two sites within the park. A popular hiking area runs close to the dumpsites. A cleanup is planned for Spring 2004.
• Michaux State Forest, Guilford Township, Franklin County—Located between the towns of Pond Bank and Mont Alto, this site contains 50-75 tons of bulky appliances, construction debris, vehicle parts, compostable material and tires. Equipment will be needed to remove the larger items. A cleanup is planned for Spring 2004.
• Moshannon State Forest, Rush Twp, Centre County—This active dumpsite is found in a former strip mining area. Approximately 15 tons of appliances, household trash, construction debris and tires are scattered along roads and trails that crisscross the area. Much of the trash has been dumped in wetlands areas. A cleanup is planned for May 15, 2004.
• Neshaminy State Park, Bensalem Township, Bucks County—Trash from Neshaminy Creek and the Delaware River is tangled among the trees interfering with wildlife habitat. Volunteers and equipment are needed to complete the project. A cleanup is planned for Spring 2004.
• Rothrock State Forest, Spruce Creek Twp, Huntingdon County—Within one-third of a mile from Spruce Creek and a popular picnic area, an estimated six tons of trash litters the ground. Daily trash, appliances, tires, vehicle parts and compostable materials can be found scattered along four miles of a state forest road. A cleanup is planned for April 24, 2004.
• Tuscarora State Forest, Bratton Township, Mifflin County—An estimated 350 tons of trash, including tires, household trash, scrap metal and appliances, has accumulated on an extremely steep slope. The sheer volume of trash will take the cooperative support of local, county and state resources. A cleanup date has not been determined.
• Sproul State Forest, Leidy Township, Clinton County—An area where spring water is channeled through a pipe for public use is littered with approximately 3.5 tons of household trash, old tires, lumber and more. A cleanup is planned for Spring 2004.
• Tiadaghton State Forest, Washington Township, Lycoming County—Volunteers will be needed to help clean active illegal dumpsites along SR 44 between Collomsville and Elimsport and in the Bull Run, Queen’s Run and Middle Hill areas. The sites contain 6-7 tons of bulky appliances, old furniture, construction debris, tires and household trash. Once the sites are cleaned, to deter future dumping, an adoption of the area would be ideal. A cleanup is planned for Spring 2004.
• Valley Forge State Forest, Little Tinicum Island, Tinicum Township, Delaware County—Two cleanups already have been conducted at this island in the Delaware River, where approximately 80 tons of trash and refuse remain. Trash is deposited on the island during floods and high tide. A cleanup is planned for May 15, 2004.
• Tuscarora State Forest, Toboyne Township, Perry County—An estimated 200 tons of daily trash, appliances and tires have been dumped over a steep slope near New Germantown Mountain Road. Access roads need to be constructed along the site and heavy equipment, including a crane, will be used for the cleanup. A cleanup date has not been determined.
• Valley Forge State Forest, West Nottingham Township, Chester County—This unique site in the Goat Hill Serpentine Barrens Natural Area contains approximately 40 tons of scrap metal, tires, appliances and daily trash. A cleanup was conducted March 20, 2004.

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2004