Volunteers sought for forest cleanup
Gov. Mark Schweiker and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary John C. Oliver have issued a call for volunteers to help clean up an illegal dumpsite in Forbes State Forest in Fayette County as part of the Pennsylvania Forest Lands Beautification Program. “More than 80 tons of illegally discarded material sit on active dumpsites in Forbes State Forest, including one listed on this year’s Dirty Dozen list,” Secretary Oliver said. “We’re turning to volunteers once again to help us return the beauty to this forest.”
Volunteers should meet at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at the Tebolt trail parking area along Skyline Drive, which is approximately 9 miles from the summit. The dumping area is in the Quebec Run Wild area and contains tires and construction debris.
Those interested in volunteering or needing more information should contact Carl Williams at 724-437-8139 or via email pacleanwaysfayette@lcsys.net. Lunch and water will be provided for volunteers.
The Forest Lands Beautification Act 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. The program is funded by the Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act (Act 101), administered by the Department of Environmental Protection.
DCNR works in partnership with PA CleanWays, a non-profit organization, to identify dumpsites and to form community volunteer teams to help remove the waste.
About 225 illegal dumpsites have been identified throughout Pennsylvania. To date, 119 sites have been cleaned up through the efforts of more than 1,660 volunteers. These cleanups have resulted in the removal of more than 1,925 tons of debris including more than 9,360 tires, 200 tones of scrap metal, construction materials, household trash, furniture and more.
More information about the Forest Lands Beautification Program is available at www.CleanPaForests.org or 1-877-7PA-FOREST.