DCNR kicked off a new public-awareness campaign in September to eliminate the pervasive problem of illegal trash dumping in Pennsylvania’s state forests and parks.
The theme of the $300,000 campaign is “Forest Dumping, A Crime Against Nature.” DCNR Secretary John. C. Oliver, among a gathering of volunteers who have worked on clean-up projects, unveiled the campaign’s radio and television commercials, magazine advertisements, billboard, poster and brochure at Gifford Pinchot State Park, York County.
The 30-second television commercial aired from Sept. 24 to Oct. 22 on four cable networks—ESPN, TNT, TBS and TNN—in Bedford, Carbon, Centre, Clinton, Cumberland, Mifflin, Monroe and Pike counties. The radio ads aired concurrently in the same counties, and also in Cameron, Elk, Franklin, Fulton, Juniata, McKean, Perry and Potter counties. The counties selected have the highest concentration of illegal dumping.
The billboard, featuring the message “Trees, Not Trash,” is posted along major roadways near state parks and forests. Magazine ads will appear in outdoor enthusiast magazines, and township and borough publications.
The Forest Lands Beautification Act, signed into law by Gov. Tom Ridge in 1998, provides up to $7.5 million over five years to clean up existing dumps on state forest and park lands by recycling or properly disposing of waste materials.
More than 200 illegal dump sites have been identified throughout Pennsylvania. To date, 41 sites have been cleaned through the efforts of more than 420 volunteers. These cleanups have resulted in the removal of over 150 tons of debris—including 2,100 tires, 30 tons of scrap metal, construction materials, household trash, furniture, and more.
Cleanup projects scheduled this fall include: Delaware State Forest, Monroe County; Forbes State Forest, Fayette County; Gallitzin State Forest, Cambria County; Sproul State Forest, Clinton County; Rothrock State Forest, Huntingdon County; Tuscarora State Forest, Mifflin County; and Raccoon State Park, Beaver County.
For information about volunteering for a clean-up project, call PA CleanWays at 1-877-7PA-FOREST. For information about the Forest Lands Beautification Program, visit the web site.
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