The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors approved a new Litter Abatement and Illegal Dumping Eradication Program on March 21st.
Illegal dumping has become a significant problem in San Bernardino County. The county’s unincorporated areas span over 18,000 square miles, and 80% of it is rural, offering seemingly ideal locations for dumping trash, bulky items and hazardous waste such as oil, tires, paint, couches, and a wide array of other materials. The hazardous materials can adversely impact the quality of the county’s groundwater and surface water, and can also create blockages of drainage channels that can result in localized flooding.
At the request of Board Chairman Bill Postmus, the San Bernardino County Department of Public Works—Solid Waste Management Division applied for and received a grant from the California Regional Water Quality Control Board for $172,877. In addition, the county will add $100,000 to the program, bringing the total funds to nearly $300,000.
The Waste Management Division will be working with the San Bernardino County Code Enforcement Division to identify problem locations throughout the county that are repeatedly used as illegal dumping sites. Appropriate measures will then be implemented to prevent future occurrences. The County will purchase and utilize two trailers and a tractor to clean up illegally dumped materials. The County will also install surveillance cameras in problem areas in order to document violators and assist with enforcement. The new program takes effect immediately.