solid waste illegal dump
Transcript of solid waste illegal dump
Sustaining Neighborhood and Desert Beauty
Pima County Department of Environmental QualityPDEQ ~ (520) 243-7400
Discussion for Today
• PDEQ’s Illegal Dumping Program• Solid Waste Storage Issues
One piece of trash can grow….One piece of trash can grow….
Into a Dump!!Into a Dump!!
How Do We Define Solid Waste?
Household garbage Un-usable furniture and household items Trailers with dilapidated roofs and/or walls Non-repairable or burned vehicles Scattered trash, landscape clippings, wood,
etc. Open garbage containers Open items that smell, contain water, attract
animals and provide a habitat for insect breeding
Solid waste must be located outside of the residence – PDEQ has no jurisdiction inside buildings.
Pima County Code Title 7• 7.29.040 A
– Unlawful storage of solid waste It is illegal to store waste on property you own
• 7.29.040 C– Unlawful Disposal of Solid Waste
It is illegal to dispose of waste anywhere but landfills, transfer stations, or via a PERMITTED waste hauler
Note: Unincorporated Pima County residents can check with PDEQ to see if a perspective hauler is Permitted!
Who Dumps and Stores Waste?
Residents Fly-by-night private haulers
with a truck and trailer “Helpful” family members People who have no garbage
pick up out-lying areas People who can’t afford
waste hauler fees People unaware of county
laws People who believe the
“gov’t” will take care of it”
Businesses Exterminators Carpet Cleaners Commercial Trash
Haulers Liquid Waste Haulers Landscapers Tire Haulers Mobile Dog
Groomers Home Businesses
Impacts of Illegal Dumping
Breeding ground for disease carriers such as mosquitoes, rats, roaches and flies
Pollution and fire hazards that endanger our air, water and land
More Impacts of Illegal Dumping
Safety hazard to children & hikers
Wildlife habitat degradation
Even More Impacts of Illegal Dumping
Cost to taxpayers for cleanup and enforcement
Destroys the beauty of our desert
Impacts of Solid Waste Storage
Lowers property & re-sale values
Nuisance to neighbors
Other Impacts of Solid Waste Storage
Hazard to children and animals
Contributes to air, water & land pollution
More Impacts of Solid Waste Storage
Illegal Under PCC Title 7
Unsanitary-Increases disease carrying rodent activity, flies, mosquitoes and roaches
How We Locate Violations1 Illegal Dumping Inspector for Entire CountyComplaint-Based DepartmentComplaints are received by:
Directly calling PDEQ main office (520) 243-7400 Calling the wildcat dumping hotline (520) 622-5800 E-Form on the PDEQ website: www.deq.pima.gov Referrals from other agencies Referrals from the Pima County Board of Supervisors
Reporting a Potential Violation
What information does PDEQ need?– Exact location of the dump site/address of
property where waste exists– Date and time, if possible– Description of what was dumped/is being stored– License number and description of
vehicle/description of person if witnessed violation– Whether property is accessible– Call PDEQ as soon as possible - you can remain
anonymous Do not approach the dumper and do not touch the
evidence! PDEQ inspector will collect it.
Complaint is entered into the PDEQ
Complaint Tracking Database
Inspection is Scheduled
• Photos are taken
• Evidence is collected at illegal dump sites that may ID dumper
• Inspection report is written
What Happens Next?• If violation is found - A Notice of Violation (NOV) is
sent to:
– Identified party for illegal dumping– Property owner per Pima County Assessor’s
records for illegal storage•Some instances to Renter/Tenant also
• PDEQ requests fines for all repeat offenders
• If no violation is found? - Complaint is closed
Penalties for Dumping/Storing Solid
Waste Responsible parties are required to clean up the site,
pay county court costs and document the proper disposal of the waste to PDEQ
Repeat violators face court ordered fines and can face jail time for contempt of court if ordered by the judge
PDEQ’s main objective is remediation and deterrence - Prosecution is last resort
Enforcement Statisticsfrom 2000 to Present
Notices of Violation issued since 2000 – 6,796
# of cases to County Atty. for litigation - 413 Average # of violations per month - 53 # of hotline calls per month – 36
Percentage of Notices of Violation for which compliance is achieved - 98%
Public Lands If the wildcat dumper cannot be identified, and
the waste is on public land, the inspector:
– Refers the complaint to the state agency who owns the land for clean up
– Schedules for clean up at a later date using Pima County funds as they become available
– PDEQ is assisted by Adult Probation workers
Cleaning-Up
Clean-up Project Statistics1989 to Present
• PDEQ Staff & Probation Crew
– Number of Cleanups – 408– Tons Removed – 3,714.4– Number of Tires Removed – 19,406– Man/Hours – 34,264.5
Preventing Illegal Dumping
Encourage owners/HOAs to fence in properties and post “NO DUMPING” signs
Community watch groups and clean-up efforts
Routine surveillance of known dumping areas
Landfill operators notify PDEQ when loads are turned away from the landfill
Contacts with DOT supervisors, Sheriff’s Department, Tucson Police, utility workers and public officials
Media assistance, Public outreach at schools and libraries
Transient and Undocumented Migrant Dumping is also Under PDEQ
Jurisdiction
Reporting a Wildcat Dumpsite
• Wildcat Dump Hotline (24 hrs) (520) 622-5800
• Pima County Environmental Quality 243-7400
• PDEQ WEB SITE - offers loads of information
www.deq.pima.gov
Our Goal is a Beautiful and Healthy Desert
And…
Beautiful and Healthy Neighborhoods
Questions?
PIMA COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
Milena Sousa PDEQ Enforcement Supervisor
(520) 243-7429 or [email protected]
KC Custer PDEQ Environmental Investigator
(520) 243-7400