| State agent urges CT officials to support DEP's COALS program
By Eric Scicchitano , Staff Writer 06/11/2005 |
| eric_s@newsitem.com
COAL TOWNSHIP A state program designed to eliminate illegal dumpsites could help further economic revitalization in Coal Township and the surrounding area. And it could be done without local tax dollars. That is according to Steve Bartos, operations manager of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Waste Management Program, who urged Coal Township commissioners at their Thursday night meeting to support DEP's Cleanup Our Anthracite Land and Streams (COALS) program. All we’re asking for is your involvement. We're not asking for your money, Bartos said. Coal Township has been very aggressive in recruiting new businesses and industry. By cleaning illegal dumpsites, Bartos said his department could help further recruitment and provide future development opportunities. The recently initiated COALS is a coalition between the public and local and state governments designed to curb illegal dumping by prosecuting individuals who continue to break littering laws, educating the public about the hazards of illegal dumping and expanding recycling programs. The program begun after local environmentalist Dave Kaleta toured illegal dump sites last December with legislators and members of state agencies, including DEP, who saw a need to remedy the problem, Bartos said. Major cleanups were undertaken earlier this spring near the Whaleback and Big Mountain Road section in Coal Township, and along Snake Road in Mount Carmel Township. More than $3,700 has been spent on the disposal of several tons of waste from these cleanups, but Bartos said this hardly reflects on the countless hours of manpower from volunteers and community service workers. He commended the board of commissioners for constructing the Coal Township Recycling Center along Venn Access Road, and said he has spoken with township Manager Mary Alice Krebs about expanding the current program. He encouraged Coal Township, along with all area municipalities, to look into beginning or improving town-wide cleanups. Illegal dumping could be curbed through stronger enforcement of local ordinances and laws, which is one goal of COALS, said Bartos, who added that punishing the violators will serve as a deterrent. With only one area inspector who currently covers two counties, he said participation by township police and the general public is vital. Bartos encouraged the commissioners to adopt Act 97 of DEP's Solid Waste Management Act that would allow township officers to file charges under the state agency's mandate. A minimum fine under DEP's act is $1,500, well above the minimum under local ordinances. DEP is also looking to acquire hidden camera equipment to further pursue and investigate illegal dumping. Bartos said Centre County employs hidden cameras, which are highly effective. Many violators first deny the illegal activity, but upon seeing themselves caught in the act, they plead guilty, pick up the refuse and pay a fine, he said. Bartos showed pictures of many illegal dump sites around the county during a Microsoft Powerpoint presentation. The photographs depicted woodlands littered with tires, used appliances and tons of contractor waste, which appears to be the biggest problem, he said. His department is actively pursuing and prosecuting contractors who illegally dump refuse. If a customer is paying for the contractor to dispose of the trash and it is dumped illegally, he said that is a felony count of theft of services. He encouraged township residents to ask for a receipt when garbage haulers collect their trash. Receipts would aide in any investigation and would also protect the individual from being wrongly accused of illegal dumping. Since COALS inception, 24 citations have been issued and four guilty pleas obtained, including two arrests on bench warrants. More citations are pending and investigations continue, Bartos said. The COALS effort is dependent upon funding, which COALS is in need of, he said. He said the state must continue to allocate funding for the project, but added a significant portion of funding is provided through private donations by corporate landowners. Reading Anthracite, Susquehanna Coal, Girard Estates, Pagnotti Enterprise, Waste Management, Blaschack Coal, Shamokin Filler, Eastern Industries and Aqua America have all donated tens of thousands of dollars. As the program progresses and results are shown, he said these companies and others will likely continue to donate. Another organization will be key toward raising funds for COALS. The non-profit PA Cleanways will help raise donations, which may soon be deposited into a locally owned bank a move, Bartos said, that shows DEP's commitment to the project as well as an initiative to keep all funding local. |
| ©The News Item 2005 |