The Cambria County Solid Waste
Authority
Part of the
responsibility of the Cambria County Solid Waste Authority is the
investigation, documentation, and elimination of illegal dumping
activities within the county. An appointed Illegal Dumping Enforcement
Officer is in charge of finding illegal dump sites, monitoring their
activity, and proposing clean-up needs for individual sites. With the
help of local municipalities, the Cambria County Solid Waste Authority intends to find and eliminate all
illegal dump sites and stop illegal dumping throughout the County.
What Is Illegal Dumping?
Illegal dumping is the disposal of
wastes in an area where it is unpermitted, often to avoid paying the
costs for proper disposal. This type of dumping usually takes place
along roadsides in remote areas or just outside of neighborhoods. Most
people will not travel very far to illegally dump.
What Is In An Illegal
Dump?
The most common materials
found in illegal dumps are household trash and large items - such as
appliances, furniture and tires. Construction and demolition wastes
are also common in dumps.
Why Is Illegal Dumping A Problem?
Illegal dumping is a
problem not only because it spoils the beauty of Cambria County's
forested roads, but also can create serious health risks. Children may
use these areas to "explore", which may lead to physical harm (nails
and sharp metal) and chemical harm (car batteries, cleaners and the
like). Chemicals may also leach out of these dumps into drinking water
supplies, as well as pollute surface water such as streams and ponds.
These sites can also be
harmful to wildlife that live around them. Animals may consume
chemicals found in dumps, or become trapped amongst the mangled mess
of tires, plastic containers and metal scrap.
Another major problem
associated with illegal dumps is fire. Dumps are sometimes lit on
fire, or spontaneously combust. Burning of materials found in dumps
can lead to the release of harmful chemicals into the air, only to
rain down on other parts of the area. Dump fires can easily spread to
their surroundings as well.
What Is Being Done About
Illegal Dumping?
The Cambria County Solid
Waste Authority, in conjunction with 63 local municipalities, are
trying to get a handle on illegal dumping in the County. Nearly every
municipality has an area where illegal dumping is taking place. These
areas have been mapped and are being watched by an appointed Illegal
Dumping Enforcement Officer - and other agencies. The CCSWA will be
using various types of surveillance equipment at these sites to
monitor and catch violators in the act, and also to help prosecute
these violators. Manpower and equipment will be used to try to clean
up some of the common places that material is dumped.
What Can WE Do About
Illegal Dumping?
Illegal dumps seem to only
attract more and more waste. Some think that because there is already
material on the ground, it must be ok for them to add to it. It is
not. If you know of an illegal dump and see persons using the site, do
not approach. Call the Cambria County Solid Waste Authority or your
local law enforcement immediately. Reports can be anonymous, and we
will act on every tip we receive.
To Report Illegal Dumping in Cambria County:
Contact: Michael C. Martin,
Compliance Officer
Cambria County Solid Waste Authority
Phone: 1-877-2-DROP-IT-off
1-814-472-2109
Fax: 1-814-472-2389
Michael C. Martin,
Compliance Officer
c/o Cambria County Solid Waste Authority
PO Box 445 507 Manor Dr.
Ebensburg, PA 15931
Tips can be made
anonymously
Jackson Township Illegal Dump
Sites
