An article at SeattlePI.com outlines the growing problem of dumping trash, appliances and even hazardous waste on public lands. Hardest hit are the BLM lands in the West. BLM manages millions of acres, making it impossible to patrol it all.
As an example, near Las Vegas, the article says:
BLM officials there [Las Vegas] say that over the last year, they've cleaned up more than 100 illegal dumps sites outside Las Vegas. Another 100 are scheduled for cleanup and about 35 are perpetual problems that may never be remediated.
Agencies have a difficult time catching people in the act of illegal dumping. In some cases, they have dug through the trash to find names and addresses and tracked people down that way. According to Chuck Ward, former BLM staff ranger who led efforts to clean up a site popular with target shooters near Billings, MT:
"The only thing I've seen work is the way we did it: a clean slate after the cleanup and a physical presence there hard and heavy for 18 to 24 months."
RVers who boondock on public land can act as a deterrent to illegal dumpers by their presence and by noting license numbers of anyone they see dumping. Many RV friends who do boondock regularly pickup trash they find near their area or on walks. Trash is a magnet for more trash.
BLM plans to craft a campaign to bring public awareness to this problem. Let's hope it helps. Countries like Canada and Australia that have strict litter laws and enforce them have much cleaner countries. It appears that their citizens have more pride in their country than U.S. citizens. Have you observed that too? Do you have any suggestions for keeping our public lands clean? Jaimie Hall Bruzenak
Photos:
Top right- gold claim on BLM east of Quartzsite that George and I and our partners are cleaning up, removing trash and mining debris.
Lower left: boondocking on BLM land at Quartzsite.
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