OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The Department of Natural Resources is installing hidden cameras as part of its efforts to clamp down on illegal trash dumping in state forests.
Together with other environmental agencies, the department spends hundreds of thousands of dollars each year clearing dump sites where people have abandoned household trash, vehicles and even hazardous waste.
The department is placing hidden cameras at likely dump sites hoping to catch offenders in the act. The department says illegal dumping sites are concentrated in the western half of the state.
The Department of Ecology helps pay for clean-up and preventative measures to protect the state trust lands managed by DNR.
Though convictions in illegal dumping cases are rare, courts can order people convicted to pay the clean-up costs.
