solid waste illegal dump

Sustaining Neighborhood and Desert Beauty Pima County Department of Environmental Quality PDEQ ~ (520) 243-7400

Discussion for Today
PDEQ’s Illegal Dumping Program
Solid Waste Storage Issues
One piece of trash can grow….

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 Violations
1 Illegal Dumping Inspector for Entire County
Complaint-Based Department
Complaints 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 Statistics from 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 Statistics 1989 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 milena.sousa@pima.gov
KC Custer
PDEQ Environmental Investigator
(520) 243-7400

solid waste illegal dump

by scswa on Nov 07, 2011

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solid waste illegal dump — Presentation Transcript