King County Parks seeks public comments on illegal dumping

Cleaning dumpsites take funds, staff away from other management work; Citizens invited to review, comment on illegal dumping rules proposals by Dec. 23

November 10, 2013 10:21 pm

New rules to protect land managed by King County Parks from illegal dumping would mean fines of up to $500 for those caught trashing public property.

“People have told us that illegal dumping in our parks is a problem, and we have heard them loud and clear,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “Work to clean up illegal dumpsites takes time, money, and staff resources, which we would rather spend elsewhere.”

“Illegal dumping can significantly degrade the quality of fish and wildlife habitat of property that was in part acquired for its environmental value, and stronger fines could be an important deterrent in our ongoing effort to reduce this blight,” said King County Council member Reagan Dunn.

While King County has installed a significant amount of “no dumping” signs, plus gates and fencing to discourage illegal dumping on Parks land, the issue remains among the most-frequent citizen complaints.

King County Parks is seeking public comments on its proposed rules, under which people found responsible for dumping can receive a fine of $100 for an initial violation, and up to $500 for repeat violators. Penalties could also include restitution payments, which would go to King County Parks to help defray costs of cleaning up illegal dumpsites.

King County Parks staff regularly find and clean up everything from household and commercial garbage, to auto parts and tires, household appliances, construction waste and more. Even dumped yard waste requires clean up, as noxious weed and non-native vegetation can infest parks lands and can require intensive management.

Parks staff are responsible for keeping more than 26,000 acres of parks and natural areas clean, safe and open for citizens of King County, and for the fish and wildlife that rely on a clean environment.

The purpose of the new rules is to establish uniform policies, procedures and protocols for issuing and processing citations for illegal dumping on county lands managed by the Parks and Recreation Division of the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP).

A copy of the proposed rules can be found on the Parks website, http://www.kingcounty.gov/parks; click on “Public Notices,” then “Illegal Dumping Rule.” To receive a printed copy, call 206-477-4571.

Any interested person can submit written comments concerning the proposed rules.  Comments must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 23. Send comments to:

 

Department of Natural Resources and Parks

Parks and Recreation Division

 

201 S. Jackson St., Suite 700

Seattle, WA 98104

 

ATTN: Kathy Nygard

Telephone: 206-477-4527

E-Mail: Kathy.nygard@kingcounty.gov

 

Following the review and comment period, DNRP’s new illegal dumping rules will become effective Jan. 23, 2014.

 

Illegal dumping anywhere in King County can be reported online at: www.kingcounty.gov/ReportDumping; or via King County’s illegal dumping hotline, at 206-296-SITE (7483) or toll free at 1-866-431-7483, TTY Relay: 711. To report illegal dumping within the City of Seattle, visit http://www.seattle.gov/util/environmentconservation/ourcity/reportillegaldumping/.