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By SCOTT L. GOMB Times Leader Community Reporter
Wednesday, April 19, 2000 Page: 5A
FORTY FORT – The Susquehanna River Watch at Tuesday night’s meeting
discussed ways to stop illegal dumping along the river.
Chairman Charles Urban said people are throwing trash out car windows,
garbage bags over the river bank, and depositing yard waste into the river.
The problem is escalating because local communities and lawmakers aren’t doing
enough to stop it, Urban said.
Urban said he would like to form a litter patrol along the river that would
take photographs of illegal dumpers and then turn them over to law enforcement
officials. The patrol would be similar to a crime watch, he said.
Urban said litter along the river is most prevalent near the Cross-Valley
Expressway.
Board member Tony Aigeldinger said the members of the patrol wouldn’t be
“policemen,” which may open it to legal action against it by illegal dumpers
who have been photographed.
But Urban said any member who sees someone breaking the law can file a
private complaint against them. That would not affect the river watch
organization, he said.
“I think it’s one of our obligations as a citizen,” said Urban.
Board members said it is against federal law to dump yard waste into a
river because it might build up and cause flooding or backups in smaller
creeks and streams.
Urban said the anti-litter laws aren’t severe enough, and that is part of
the reason why people aren’t afraid to litter, and often do it again after
being caught. Most laws carry a $300 fine, he said.
But if people who litter were forced to lose their drivers license for a
period of time after being found guilty, they might think twice, he said.
Urban said the organization will write letters to lawmakers asking them for
greater assistance and stiffer penalties in controlling the litter problem
along the Susquehanna.
Board members also said they will begin putting together programs to
distribute to schools that will teach children about the harm of littering.
The Susquehanna River Watch meets at 7 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month
at the Luzerne County Recreation Annex on Wyoming Avenue in Forty Fort.