Watch Caltrans Press Conference about Mountain Litter with Caltrans
District Director John Bulinski, San Bernardino County Supervisor Janice
Rutherford, CHP Officer Juan Quintero, and Cal Fire Liz Brown https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyS7hEAv0Ok
DON't TRASH California!
District 8/San Bernardino ____ Hundreds of
thousands of visitors will travel to San Bernardino Mountains and Riverside
Mountain resorts this Winter for recreation. The California Department of Transportation
(Caltrans) released survey data in June 2016 that shows nearly half of all motorists
surveyed admit to sometimes littering along the state's highways. Nearly
one-in-five California motorists report intentionally dumping something on the
side of the highway. In addition, another 6 percent of motorists admitted that
they fail to pick up waste left by pets on the side of the highway.
Wednesday December 28, 2016, Caltrans District 8
Director, John Bulinski, joined San Bernardino County Supervisor (Second
District), Janice Rutherford, the California Highway Patrol (CHP), and the
California, Department of Forestry (Cal Fire) with support from the United
States Forest Service, San Bernardino County Fire, San Bernardino County Sheriff
and San Bernardino County Public Works
to urge the public to keep trash inside their vehicles and dispose of it in the
proper place – NOT along mountain roadsides or on private property.
Reports of litter and debris along State Routes
2, 18, 38, 138, and 330 came from Mountain Communities, after the Christmas holiday and
snow storm. Heavy traffic volumes continued throughout the holiday weekend while tourists
enjoy the snow and recreational activities. With that came hundreds of pounds of litter. Another
storm is expected to take place this weekend
over the New Year holiday with the same influx
of tourism and snow seekers.
Amazingly, 94% of people identify litter as a
major environmental problem and yet people still litter. Litter causes harm to people and
animals, damages our waterways, costs money and suggests that we do not care for our
environment. Fortunately, we can all do something to help prevent and reduce litter.
Research and experience show that litter is the
result of individual behavior—choosing to litter or being careless in the handling of waste. And
once litter is on the ground, it attracts more litter. It causes a whole range of problems for
everyone.
* Litter discarded on roadways and mountain land
travels through the storm water system to our rivers and creeks, where it causes harm
to wildlife.
* Litter costs money. Removing litter from the
environment costs everyone money – even you! Litter is a threat to public health.
* Litter attracts vermin and is a breeding ground
for bacteria.
* Litter can be a fire hazard. Accumulated litter
and careless discarded cigarette butts are
potential fire hazards.
* Litter looks bad. Litter negatively affects the
image of places, especially the appearance
of communities.
* Litter attracts litter. Litter sends out a
message that people do not care and that it is
acceptable to litter.
Caltrans has been working with partner agencies
from Riverside and San Bernardino counties
to address the litter problem in mountain areas
after holiday weekends. Local residents,
community members and businesses have worked
diligently to keep their community clean for
visitors to enjoy. Cal-Fire and the US Forests Service
continue to work with Caltrans to clean Southern California mountain regions
after snow events. But those tax dollars could be saved for better use if
people stashed their trash!
The CHP and Sheriff Departments will be looking
for litter bugs while on patrol. Fines for
littering can cost up to $1,000, but the
long-term damage to the forest and waterways can last a
lifetime.
Please help keep the mountains beautiful and
stop litter before it happens!
Here are some ways you can help:
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Bring trash bags with you and keep litter and
cigarette butts in your car until you can
dispose of them properly.
>
Recycle bottles and cans and take them with you.
>
Don’t leave broken snow toys behind.
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Never throw anything in lakes, streams or
waterways.
>
Use the
restroom before traveling – traffic congestion and long delays are in store
during
high volume weekends. It might be awhile before
you can get to a public restroom.
>
Discard dirty diapers in trash receptacles.
>
Don’t play in the snow on private property or
non-designated areas – use the designated
snow play areas provided - get the USFS
Adventure Pass to play in the forest.
>
Don’t block snow plows or travel lanes with your
vehicle to put chains on or park.
It adds to congestion and emergency vehicles and
work crews need access to keep everyone
safe!
Travelers are encouraged to visit the mountains
during winter months and we encourage
you to be the example to keep litter in its
place. Please be courteous and concerned for the
environment and the future we leave to our
children.
Caltrans invites you to be part of the solution and
join the Adopt-A-Highway (AAH)
Program.
Go to: http://adopt-a-highway.dot.ca.gov/ or call
(909) 888-5394.