DNR taking notice of dumping on state land

PUBLIC LANDS — The Washington Department of Natural Resources is trying to take steps to keep state lands from becoming dumps.

The agency has posted an interactive map on its website showing locations of more than 200 sites that experienced illegal dumping last year on state trust lands.

“This is only the tip of the iceberg,” said Larry Raedel, DNR’s Chief of Law Enforcement Services. “For every one of the sites we investigated, mapped and cleaned up last year, there are two or three more out there that we haven’t found yet.”

DNR says state agencies spend hundreds of thousands of dollars each year cleaning up trash and junked vehicles and hazardous waste on state lands.

The agency is putting out hidden cameras at trouble spots and asking the public to report any suspicious activity related to dumping garbage.