Washing behind the ears
WHARTON TWP. – A scenic overlook near the Summit was recently cleaned so that it look more, well, scenic. Carl Williams, executive director of Fayette County CleanWays chapter, said the cleanup netted everything from tires to bottles to box springs, filling 50 to 100 bags with trash.
The effort took place at Pine Knob overlook, which is located off a dirt road about 2 miles from Skyline Drive , said Williams.
“It took us quite a long time to clean,” said Williams.
He noted that the effort filled a flatbed truck provided by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to the brim with garbage bags.
With a very steep cliff to contend with, and the knowledge that the overlook hadn’t been cleaned before, Williams said members of a rapelling group of Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Spa Adventure Center came to help.
Using sturdy nylon sacks to pack the garbage, Williams said rapellers used three cables to go down 50, 75 and 100 feet. At the bottom, Williams said the rapellers cleaned 40 to 50 yards of trash.
“We did a lot of work up there,” said Williams, who estimated 15 people participated in the cleanup.
“This was an accumulation (of garbage). This is the first time to my knowledge that this has ever been cleaned,” he said.
Since the roadway to get to the Pine Knob overlook is off the beaten path (it’s difficult to access without a 4-wheel drive vehicle), Williams said he is hopeful that the overlook will stay cleaner now.
Earlier this year, Williams said the county chapter of PA CleanWays tackled the 2-mile stretch that leads to the overlook.
PA CleanWays is a non-profit environmental organization dedicated to cleaning the lands and water in the state. There are currently 20 chapters formed and two in the process of forming statewide, according to the PA CleanWays Website.
The site said that cleanups over the last 10 years have utilized more than 9,000 volunteers to clean 191 illegal dumping sites. That’s netted about 1,400 tons of trash and nearly 20,000 tires, according to the site.
Fayette County’s chapter was formed in 1995. To volunteer or get more information, contact Williams at 724-437-8139 or at pacleanwaysfayette@lcsys.com. Visit the PA CleanWays Web site at www.pacleanways.org.