Background: On June 18, an illegal dumping incident led to a police investigation and a violent confrontation. Several of the officers saw a driver dumping in an isolated area near the Commodore Barry Bridge. When officers arrived at the scene they talked to a man in a white pick-up loaded with yard trimmings. When the Police discovered the truck had been stolen, the man threw the pickup into gear dragging Stanfield a short distance and knocking Barrett Lee unconscious. When Officers de la Cruz and Studzinski attempted to keep the truck from leaving, it sped forward toward them. De la Cruz fired several shots and hits the suspect in the arm and leg. The truck sped away, hitting two other trucks in its path. About eight blocks away the truck smashed into a police car driven by Officer Pompilii who arrested the dumper.

About 130 volunteers and contractors helped to clean up 45 tons of trash and 24 tons of recyclable scrap metal at 14 state forest and state park dumpsites in 2000 under the Pennsylvania Forest Lands Beautification Program, according to the State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), the agency that administers the program. In addition to the trash and recyclables collected between March and November nearly 1000 tires and several gallons of used motor oil were also collected.

Signed into law by Governor Ridge in December of 1998, the program provides for cleaning up existing dumps on state forest and parklands. Funding for the program comes from Act 101, the Municipal Waste Planning Recycling and Waste Reduction Act. . $7.5 million over a five years period was allocated.

DCNR contracted with PA Cleanways, a statewide organization battling litter and illegal dumping to develop the strategies and methods for cleanup. The organization will use its traditional community based approach, involving public and private resources over the next four years to help promote broad-based stewardship for the parklands. "Volunteer involvement was a critical factor in how we prioritized the pilot sites chosen for the program," Sue Wiseman, executive director of PA Clean Ways reported. She invited those interested in helping with the clean up to call 877-7PA FOREST to volunteer.

In 2000 volunteers donated more than 300 hours, assisting DCNR forestry and parks personnel and contractors in removing appliances, construction materials, furniture, household trash, tires, car parts and other trash from illegal dump sites. Volunteers included hikers, bird watchers, camp owners, youth groups, fireman, businesses and other state agencies. Sites cleaned include:

• Bedford and Fulton Counties - Oregon and Fisher Roads, Buchanan State Forest
• Centre County - Wildcat Gap, Bald Eagle State Forest
• Clinton County - Grugan Hollow and Dry Run Roads, Sproul State Forest
• Cumberland and Juniata Counties - Doubling Gap and Tuscarora Wild Area, Tuscarora State Forest
• Elk County - Bendigo State Park
• Huntingdon County - Allensville Road, Rothrock State Forest
• Lycoming County -McIntyre Wild area, Tiadaghton State Forest
• Pike County - Milford Reservation Tract and Lake Laura Trail, Delaware State Forest
• Somerset County - Brier Knob, Gallitzin State Forest

PA CleanWays has identified 100 active dump sites and state forests and additional sites in state parks. They are among more than 160 total sites, including 40 inactive sites surveyed in Pennsylvania's state forests and three state parks. During the first year of the program, the Professional Recyclers of PA and the Pennsylvania Environmental Council also helped to mobilize cleanup efforts, conducting meetings and local advisory teams.

"We are extremely grateful to all those who helped take ownership of their state forests and rid them of these unsightly dumps," said John C. Oliver, DCNR secretary.

To learn more about the program, visit www.CleanPAForests.org or email Paforest@pacleanways.org. Groups interested in obtaining grants for cleanups may call DCNR at 717-772-9104. Digital images are available at www.CleanPAForests.org/updatephotos.html.