Stories from the Dumps

Stan Mai, Magic Valley ATV Riders, Twin Falls:

• "The first word that comes to mind when I hear illegal dumping is ILLEGAL. It is against the law to dump your trash on public land!"
• "The first thing I would ask is why. Why are you out here on public land dumping your personal trash? Why did you not go to a landfill and dump it in a proper place where it will be safely taken care of and not impacting others?" 
• "We enjoy riding on public land and we enjoy seeing public land with all the different features and types of terrain. When you come around a corner and there's a pile of trash, it really just ruins your day!" 

E.E. Bender, age 5, Idaho Falls:

• “It just feels bad and people are not supposed to do it.  It’s a dump.  Throw away your own garbage and please don’t do do that.”

Brandon Walker, from Idaho Falls, led a volunteer cleanup effort near North Menan Butte:

• “People take public land for granted...we see garbage left from people recreating. If you have garbage, take it to the landfill, don’t dump it out on public land.”
• “I love outdoor recreation, I love shooting, taking our 4-wheel drives out here and having fun.  I have seen how messy it has become…we have a million shotgun shells out here along with couches, televisions, washing machines, and all sorts of other things and it makes me sad to see the lands I love so dirty.”

Don Zuck, 64, Twin Falls, Idaho:

• “I have been out here enjoying public land since I was 9 years old. I came here with my Dad to shoot guns, ride around, and build campfires. I got my first cub scout merit badge here.”
• “Illegal dumping makes me furious...I don’t understand the mentality because this is our place to come and have fun. I don’t want people to leave their garbage in our recreation area.”

People Do Care!
Read their comments, hear stories, see a photographer's exhibit and a group album about dumping on public lands.