Our county supervisors need to put into place an illegal dumping task force made up of representatives from each local department with the authority and the resources to address the problem of illegal dumping. To affect change, high-level officials must make prevention programs a priority and support them with adequate funding, equipment, and labor.
Local laws may already exist but they are ineffective if there is not a commitment from high level authority for enforcement. If illegal dumping is not viewed as a priority and little action is taken, residents then become frustrated and complacent effecting little change, and the cycle will continue.
Prevention requirements should include site maintained and control, community outreach and involvement, targeted enforcement and program measurement.
Program requirements should include publicity to keep the public aware, track of all arrests, fines, clean-ups and vehicles impoundments.
So what does this program need? Funding through grants which are available, private donations, operating budgets, special appropriations and fees accessed on waste management operations. The program will require needed services such as landfills, hauling and training programs. The program will also require equipment: cameras, radios, vehicles and heavy machinery only to name a few. It will also require of course, human resources for the cleanup, enforcement, surveillance, inspection, outreach efforts.
Lenny Matthews
Lucerne
