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For Immediate Release
July 23, 2002
White: State Initiative Cleaning Up Pennsylvania’s
Forests and Parks
Harrisburg – A program created by the Pennsylvania
Legislature in 1998 to clean up illegal dumps in state parks and forests has
removed more than 1,700 tons of debris, said Sen. Mary Jo White (R-21) who
voted to establish the program.
White said the Forest Lands Beautification
Program, administered by the state Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources, has cleaned up more than 100 illegal dumpsites in state forests and
parks, removing more than
1,700 tons of debris as of June 2002.
“Our state parks and forest land are
wonderful natural resources that most Pennsylvanians appreciate,” said White,
who chairs the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.
“Unfortunately, some look at all of the beautiful trees and wildlife and just
see a potential dump site. We enacted the Forest Lands Beautification Program
because of those people.”
White said the program has identified more
than 200 illegal dumpsites on state forest and park lands and is implementing
cleanup efforts. More than 900
volunteers have donated over 3,000 hours of their time to the efforts.
More than 100 cleanup projects are planned
for the next two years, she said.
The Forest Lands Beautification Program has
also developed an initiative for preventing future dumping. The prevention effort includes volunteers to
monitor cleaned sites, an aggressive public education effort, and surveillance
cameras near chronic dumping areas.
This land belongs to the people, and their
vigilance is required in thwarting polluters,” said White. “So far, it’s working. And with the strength
of volunteers and everyday citizens, we can make our parks and forests cleaner
and keep them that way.”
The Forest Lands Beautification Program was
created in Act 125 of 1998, passed by the state legislature and signed into law
by Gov. Tom Ridge.
CONTACT:
Leigh
Ramsey (717) 787-9684
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