The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is trying to help curb the illegal dumping of garbage in the state. The D-N-R is holding six workshops across the state beginning later this month to discuss successful strategies for preventing illegal dumping. D-N-R environmental specialist Mel Pins says the illegal dumping has increased in the last 10 years as cities added fees for hauling away items, which can no longer be taken to landfills.They see tires, old appliances, construction debris and even old chemicals that can pose health problems. Pins says they take a three-prong approach to the problem, beginning with educating people about where they can legally take itemsHe says if people know where they can take things and what the price is, they seem to be inclined to “do the right thing.” He says they also prosecute violators and try to educate the public on the environmental dangers of improperly disposing of the items. Pins says dumpers may avoid the fee for hauling the stuff away, but end up paying in the end.He says they did a survey that showed 650-thousand dollars was spent by cities last year for dump site clean up, taking away funds that could’ve been used for other services. Pins says the workshops are open to the public. For information on the workshops, surf to iowadnr.com on the web.(stations, here is the workshop schedule: April 22 – Council Bluffs (Iowa Western Community College), 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.;April 23 – Sioux City (Council Oak Community Center), 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.; April 24 – Des Moines area (Urbandale Public Library), 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m; May 13 – Iowa City (Johnson Co. Conservation Educational Center, Oxford), 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.; May 14 – Waterloo (Hawkeye Community College – Tama Hall), 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. ;May 15 – Clear Lake (Best Western Holiday Lodge), 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
