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Forest Officals Report Increase In Garbage Dumping On Public Lands

KNAU

Officials with the Coconino National Forest say an increasing amount of trash is being dumped and left behind by visitors and recreators on public lands. 

Personnel report garbage piles along forest roads and throughout the national forest, sometimes directly in front of signs asking visitors to remove their own trash.

Officials say there is generally not trash removal service on national forest lands. Leaving garbage endangers the health of wildlife and groundwater, and forces forest service employees and volunteers to direct their work efforts away from programs, and instead remove garbage left by the public. 

With the Memorial Day holiday approaching and a high volume of forest visitors expected, officials urge the public to pack out their trash. Violators face fines and jail time.