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:

> 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.

 

> 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.