LUCERNE — A new county effort to curb illegal dumping is in the works. Deputy Redevelopment Director Eric Seely said $20,000 in Northshore redevelopment funds will be spent to purchase six gates to close off key routes to known dumping sites in the hills above Nice and Lucerne.
Cal Fire will donate its conservation crews to install the gates and the Northshore Fire Department will monitor them, saving the county money. “We wouldn”t be able to install as many gates without their help,” Seely said.
The gates will be located on Foothill Drive, Minor Road, Bishop Extension, Utopia Extension, Arden Drive and Dunstan Road near Morrison Creek, the “worst” of the dumping sites, according to Seely.
Last March, county code enforcement worked with other agencies, including Fish and Game, to remove debris from Morrison Creek.
“It took two or three days and several dump truck loads. We knew there was going to be more dumping, so Voris Brumfield (Code Enforcement Manager) contacted the county counsel for legal opinion, and we got a favorable opinion that we can install the gates,” Seely said.
The roads are non-residential, although if dumping persists in the canyons and creeks popular with illegal dumpers, it is likely gates would be installed on roads leading to residences as well.
The Northshore Fire Department, headed by Fire Chief Jim Robbins, will monitor the area and issue keys to property owners. The gates will be flanked by bollards to allow bikers, hikers and motorcycle”s passage through.
The gates will be installed this spring, before fire season starts, Seely said.
Illegal dumping is a problem in rural areas, Seely said, and poses health and safety concerns to citizens and the environment. “Toxic materials like paint and car batteries can actually contaminate the water supply. The dumping can impact wildlife both through chemicals or by wildlife being snared in the trash?certainly out of sight out of mind doesn”t apply here. It”s very apparent when you walk on those roads?it”s unsightly,” Seely said.
Robbins said the accumulated trash poses a strong fire hazard as well.
Brumfield said programs are in place to deter dumping. “We”re looking at methods to promote the recycling that we have. It”s $2 to take a sofa to the landfill or transfer station. We”re trying to let folks know not to hire someone to clean out your garage. They could take your money and not dispose of it legally,” Brumfield said.
But it may be difficult to change the mindset of those accustomed to dumping.
“It seems to be a pattern when one person dumps, others rationalize that they”re not doing something bad because it”s already trashed,” Seely said.
At one point in the county, “someone was found who was running a business claiming to haul and then dumped the things in the canyon,” Brumfield said. In that case, the county found out about it and the individual cleaned up the mess on their own, Brumfield said.
A vehicle amnesty program, with three sites around the county, is also available. The next program is coming up in May. The county is considering installing video surveillance cameras, an inexpensive method to catch perpetrators in the act, leading to convictions. “It”s difficult to catch someone in the act of dumping,” Seely said.
Anyone who witnesses illegal dumping is urged to contact the Sheriff”s Department at 262-4200 or Code Enforcement at 263-2308.
Contact Elizabeth Wilson at ewilson@record-bee.com.
