The RCD and Watershed Research and Training Center in Hayfork were awarded a grant on April 20th to clean up several illegal dumpsites on forest lands. The California Integrated Waste Management Board approved the funding for this first phase of the project. Illegal dumping has become a serious problem in our county. Just look over the edge of almost any remote dirt road and chances are you will find evidence of trash, including appliances, computers, and even old cars.

Not only do these sites detract from the natural beauty and tranquility of the woods, they pose severe hazards to the humans and wildlife. Many of the sites include soiled baby diapers, televisions, decomposing mattresses and box springs, along with used radiators, refrigerators and building materials, on top of the usual family garbage. Seepage from the garbage leaches into the soil and runs into the creeks and waterways. Residents downstream are exposed to the human waste and toxic chemicals that can make its way into drinking water from wells and streams. One of the largest identified sites is on Hayfork Creek and much of the waste is within 50 feet of the water. Another site that will be cleaned up has waste that drains into Tule Creek and could affect many families downstream that depend on Tule Creek for their domestic water supply. Plastics and non-biodegradable garbage can harm wildlife.

Reduced funding for public services, especially law enforcement, has made clean-up and prosecution of guilty parties difficult. Community clean-up days have been organized in various locations of the county, and phenomenal amounts of trash have been cleaned up. Voluntary efforts have barely touched the tip of this overwhelming problem and it is unreasonable to expect volunteers to do it all.