Shame, shame, shame on whomever did this.
Despite an ongoing effort to curb illegal dumping in the City of Trail, crews continue to happen upon sites like this – this time it’s down a bank in West Trail.
“This continues to happen,” says Public Works Manager Larry Abenante. “More dumping up on one of the hairpin corners on Lookout Street – this is not going to be an easy cleanup due to the steepness of this bank.”
Earlier this year the city enacted it’s first ticketing bylaw for the act, anyone caught will be issued a $500 fine. That’s in addition to cameras placed at various high dumping areas – but in a few cases, the cameras were actually stolen or didn’t capture a clear image of the perpetrators.
So what’s it going to take at this point?
Abenante maintains, more eyes watching and people reporting to the city (do not approach anyone). Another way to help tackle the ongoing problem is to contact the RAPP (Report All Poachers and Pollutors) line. RAPP is a provincial hotline used to report wildlife-human interactions where public safety may be at risk.
Like this dump, many of the sites contain regular household garbage which is an attractant to bears and other wildlife.
RAPP is a toll free tip line (1.877.952.7277) and online service that allows the caller to remain anonymous when reporting known or suspected violations of fisheries, wildlife and environmental protection.
Another factor to consider looking at these heaps is that much of the material is recyclable and costs nothing to properly direct into a recycle bin.
“The other thing I point out, when you look at some of these dumps, you’ll realize a ton of the stuff is recyclable and could be put in a blue box or in the bins at the landfill at not cost,” said Alan Stanley, general manager of environmental services at the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary. “If you properly separate the materials, you’ll find that the tipping fees for the remaining material are not that much.”
He points out the vast majority of people are handling their garbage appropriately.
“The fact is, in this area, except for a very small number of outlyers, everyone has regular collection service,” he added. “And I always take pains to remind people that the vast majority of people are handling their garbage appropriately – and you are responsible for making sure the waste you produce ends up in the right place, end of story.”
