(OCTOBER 28, 2015) — Clean up of an illegal solid waste dump site on public lands began October 20th on Old Highway 80, two miles east of Lyman, Wyoming, by the Bureau of Land Management’s Kemmerer Field Office.
The BLM contracted Northwind Environmental Services to remove the solid waste and dispose of it at the Bridger Valley Landfill.
“Illegal dumping is a long-standing problem on public lands with dump sites often prompting even more dumping in the same area,” said Kemmerer Field Manager Aaron Mier. “Solid debris such as appliances, household trash, furniture and chemicals are costly to remove.”
The $220,000 contract includes provisions to remove piles of friable asbestos tiles and segregate wastes prior to disposal at the landfill. Items found at the illegal dump site include appliances, household trash, tires, furniture and construction materials. Clean up is expected to continue through November.
Illegal dumps can pose a threat to humans, pets, wildlife and vehicles. It often encourages more solid waste dumping, and, worse, harmful hazardous waste, including asbestos, solvents, vehicle fluids and other household or industrial chemicals. Additionally, solid waste dumps attract rodents and other vermin that may pose a human health risk.
For more information, contact BLM’s KFO Petroleum Engineer & Hazmat Coordinator, Dalila Toussaint, 307-828-4511.
Photo: Some of the waste that exists at the illegal dump site near Lyman.