Volunteers clean up more than a ton of trash

By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
Boy Scouts, forest rangers and other volunteers worked together again Sept. 14, cleaning private property, ATV trails and roadways of illegally discarded debris as part of Landowner Appreciation Cleanup Day.   “We had in excess of 3,000 pounds of garbage collected. Volunteers in my area included members of the Washburn and Masardis ATV clubs, local Boy Scouts, members of the Presque Isle Snowmobile Club,” said Ranger Justin Carney, who coordinated cleanup in the communities of Ashland, Presque Isle and surrounding areas.
In addition to household garbage, Carney said they found furniture and appliances too.
“We found couches, electrical equipment, a lot of gun shells, nails and a mattress,” he said. “There were remnants of a pit party at one location. At the old Rod and Gun Club (off Chapman Road in Presque Isle) a Scout found a syringe.”
Carney said all sites had been investigated.
“There wasn’t, however, enough evidence to prosecute anyone,” said Carney.
Forest Ranger Robby Gross said a total of 32 locations throughout Aroostook County were cleaned during the annual event.
“They were located in a variety of places: Presque Isle, Ashland, along ATV trails in Caribou and Presque Isle, Winterville, Caribou, Perham, two sites in T17 R5, Fort Kent, Frenchville, Houlton, Smyrna, Linneus, Littleton, Reed Plantation and Sherman,” he said.
Like Carney, Gross said furniture and appliances were common finds.
“Volunteers also found tires, construction debris, in addition to household trash,” said Gross.
Gross said it seems to be common practice for people to use a common location to dump unwanted items.
“It’s classic. Once someone dumps somewhere, others follow suit. If we can catch it early, it prevents others from dumping there,” he said.
Another problem he’s noticed over the years is “recreational shooting.”
“They leave evidence behind, including used targets, shells and casings. They also carry in garbage to use as targets. Recreational shooting can be done in unorganized territories or in gravel pits but in most cases that’s private property and use can be shut off,” said Gross.
Gross said that’s the goal of the LOCD — to ensure property can continue to be used for recreational purposes.
“We encourage people to clean up after themselves. If anyone wants to get a site on the clean-up list, just call me at 435-6975 or call Maine Forest Service dispatch at 435-7963. We set aside a date each fall, usually mid-September. We’ll take names and numbers now to start planning for next year,” said Gross.
He said it’s important to follow the saying “if you see something, say something.”
“As people see such dumping, we encourage them to call us so we can investigate,” said Gross.
Gross added to the list of participants this year.
“We also had members of the Ashland ATV Club and the Star City ATV Club. We had Boy Scouts from Mapleton, Ashland and Presque Isle. The Maine Warden Service is recognized as a contributing agency to this effort. Other regions included volunteers: UMFK forestry students, Van Buren ATV Club, Southern Aroostook Community High School’s wood harvesting class, Houlton High School and the East Branch Hot Shots,” said Gross.
Gross encourages everyone to help keep the environment clean.
“Their actions have an impact on the use of private property. If we don’t continue these positive actions, the land won’t be open for all to enjoy,” said Gross.