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PA DCNR: Illegal Dump Site Cleared in Valley Forge State Forest

Posted on: Monday, 1 December 2003, 06:00 CST

HARRISBURG, Pa., Dec. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Secretary of Conservation and Natural Resources Michael DiBerardinis today announced that volunteers removed more than 95 tons of debris from an illegal dump site in Valley Forge State Forest, Chester County, as part of the state's Forest Lands Beautification Program.

"Goat Hill Serpentine Barrens protects a nationally rare ecosystem of pitch pine and hardy plants," Secretary DiBerardinis said. "Illegal dumping in this area was not only an eyesore, but also a threat to this exceptional state resource."

More than 74 tons of trash, 13 tons of scrap metal, five tons of tires and three tons of computer scrap were removed from the area in West Nottingham Township.

Contracted services were provided by Gary Fronk Excavating, Thompsontown; Chester County HHW Collection; Southeastern Chester County Refuse Authority; Magnus Environmental, Wilmington, Del.; and Coatesville Scrap Iron & Metal.

"The disturbance to the soil by the cleanup was actually beneficial to several of the rare plant species being managed in the area," Valley Forge District Forester John Miller said.

For more information on the proper disposal of any item, call Nancy Fromnick, Chester County Recycling Coordinator, at (610) 344-5940. For more information on the Forest Lands Beautification Program or to join a cleanup team, call 1-877-7PA-FOREST (1-877-772-3673) or visit http://www.cleanpaforests.org/.

CONTACT: Gretchen A. Leslie, Press Secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, +1-717-772-9101.

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