Earlier this week a resident witnessed an unknown male individual, driving a light grey pick-up truck. Evidently, he had dumped old tires on the side of the road along Bullmoose Trail.
Apart from destroying the natural beauty of our area, illegal dumping of garbage, old appliances, broken TVs, mattresses and other waste items, also threatens the health of humans, wildlife and the environment.
Where to Report – Illegal Dumping on Crown Lands
Contact RAPP (Report All Poachers and Polluters), BC’s Conservation Officer 24hr toll-free Hotline 1-877-952-7277. If the situation is not an emergency, complete and electronically submit the RAPP form on the BC RAPP website.
For more information on the RAPP program view BC RAPP website
Download the BCWILDLIFE FEDERATION Conservation App to report illegal dumping and other environmental related violations on your smart phone. The Conservation App makes it easy for users to take geo-reference, time-stamped photos or videos. The app works both in and out of service using your phone’s GPS. Reports are sent to a secure server and forwarded automatically to the appropriate enforcement agency.
What to Record
- Location (look for landmarks to best describe the location, and if on Crown Land or Private Land
- Date and Time
- Description of waste
- Photo
- Vehicle License (if witnessing the violation)
Not sure if the illegal dumpsite is located on Private or Crown Lands
Contact the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen
Phone: 250.492.0237 BC Toll Free: 1.877.610.3737 or E-mail: info@rdos.bc.ca
Cleaning up illegal dumpsites
The Regional District encourages and supports community clean-ups where possible.
If you are interested in organizing a clean-up of an illegal dumpsite, contact the RDOS in advance to ensure proper procedures are followed by:
- Call 250-490-4203 or toll free 1-877-610-3737 or e-mail info@rdos.bc.ca to learn about the program. Bags and gloves for the clean up can be provided.
- The RDOS Illegal Dumping Tipping Fee Waiver can be filled in electronically. Please save to your computer before filling out.
- Email the completed Waiver, and photos of the illegal dumpsite to info@rdos.bc.ca.
- Wait for the completed form before hauling to landfill! The RDOS must sign a copy of the waiver and this waiver must be presented with each load of illegal dumped waste brought to the landfill.
Why worry about illegal dumping?
Illegal dumpsites pose the following health, safety, environmental and economic threats:
- Health and safety issues
- Injury to children playing in or around dumpsites
- Injury to individuals in or around dumpsites
- Disease carried by animals and insects attracted by dumpsites
- Negative impact on the natural environment
- Contamination of streams, rivers and lakes
- Contamination of soil and groundwater
- Contamination of drinking water wells
- Damage to plant and wildlife habitats
- Increased risk of fire
- Potential of discarded glass igniting fires
- Increased fuel for fires
- Illegal dump fires are difficult to extinguish
- Illegal dump fires can release harmful fumes into the atmosphere
- Decline in property values as a result of illegal dumping
- Loss in economic benefits attained through tourism
Source: RDOS