Sustaining Neighborhood and Desert Beauty

Pima County Department of Environmental QualityPDEQ ~ (520) 243-7400

Discussion for Today

• PDEQ’s Illegal Dumping Program• Solid Waste Storage Issues

One piece of trash can grow….One piece of trash can grow….

Into a Dump!!Into a Dump!!

How Do We Define Solid Waste?

Household garbage Un-usable furniture and household items Trailers with dilapidated roofs and/or walls Non-repairable or burned vehicles Scattered trash, landscape clippings, wood,

etc. Open garbage containers Open items that smell, contain water, attract

animals and provide a habitat for insect breeding

Solid waste must be located outside of the residence – PDEQ has no jurisdiction inside buildings.

Pima County Code Title 7• 7.29.040 A

– Unlawful storage of solid waste It is illegal to store waste on property you own

• 7.29.040 C– Unlawful Disposal of Solid Waste

It is illegal to dispose of waste anywhere but landfills, transfer stations, or via a PERMITTED waste hauler

Note: Unincorporated Pima County residents can check with PDEQ to see if a perspective hauler is Permitted!

Who Dumps and Stores Waste?

Residents Fly-by-night private haulers

with a truck and trailer “Helpful” family members People who have no garbage

pick up out-lying areas People who can’t afford

waste hauler fees People unaware of county

laws People who believe the

“gov’t” will take care of it”

Businesses Exterminators Carpet Cleaners Commercial Trash

Haulers Liquid Waste Haulers Landscapers Tire Haulers Mobile Dog

Groomers Home Businesses

Impacts of Illegal Dumping

Breeding ground for disease carriers such as mosquitoes, rats, roaches and flies

Pollution and fire hazards that endanger our air, water and land

More Impacts of Illegal Dumping

Safety hazard to children & hikers

Wildlife habitat degradation

Even More Impacts of Illegal Dumping

Cost to taxpayers for cleanup and enforcement

Destroys the beauty of our desert

Impacts of Solid Waste Storage

Lowers property & re-sale values

Nuisance to neighbors

Other Impacts of Solid Waste Storage

Hazard to children and animals

Contributes to air, water & land pollution

More Impacts of Solid Waste Storage

Illegal Under PCC Title 7

Unsanitary-Increases disease carrying rodent activity, flies, mosquitoes and roaches

How We Locate Violations1 Illegal Dumping Inspector for Entire CountyComplaint-Based DepartmentComplaints are received by:

Directly calling PDEQ main office (520) 243-7400 Calling the wildcat dumping hotline (520) 622-5800 E-Form on the PDEQ website: www.deq.pima.gov Referrals from other agencies Referrals from the Pima County Board of Supervisors

Reporting a Potential Violation

What information does PDEQ need?– Exact location of the dump site/address of

property where waste exists– Date and time, if possible– Description of what was dumped/is being stored– License number and description of

vehicle/description of person if witnessed violation– Whether property is accessible– Call PDEQ as soon as possible - you can remain

anonymous Do not approach the dumper and do not touch the

evidence! PDEQ inspector will collect it.

Complaint is entered into the PDEQ

Complaint Tracking Database

Inspection is Scheduled

• Photos are taken

• Evidence is collected at illegal dump sites that may ID dumper

• Inspection report is written

What Happens Next?• If violation is found - A Notice of Violation (NOV) is

sent to:

– Identified party for illegal dumping– Property owner per Pima County Assessor’s

records for illegal storage•Some instances to Renter/Tenant also

• PDEQ requests fines for all repeat offenders

• If no violation is found? - Complaint is closed

Penalties for Dumping/Storing Solid

Waste Responsible parties are required to clean up the site,

pay county court costs and document the proper disposal of the waste to PDEQ

Repeat violators face court ordered fines and can face jail time for contempt of court if ordered by the judge

PDEQ’s main objective is remediation and deterrence - Prosecution is last resort

Enforcement Statisticsfrom 2000 to Present

Notices of Violation issued since 2000 – 6,796

# of cases to County Atty. for litigation - 413 Average # of violations per month - 53 # of hotline calls per month – 36

Percentage of Notices of Violation for which compliance is achieved - 98%

Public Lands If the wildcat dumper cannot be identified, and

the waste is on public land, the inspector:

– Refers the complaint to the state agency who owns the land for clean up

– Schedules for clean up at a later date using Pima County funds as they become available

– PDEQ is assisted by Adult Probation workers

Cleaning-Up

Clean-up Project Statistics1989 to Present

• PDEQ Staff & Probation Crew

– Number of Cleanups – 408– Tons Removed – 3,714.4– Number of Tires Removed – 19,406– Man/Hours – 34,264.5

Preventing Illegal Dumping

Encourage owners/HOAs to fence in properties and post “NO DUMPING” signs

Community watch groups and clean-up efforts

Routine surveillance of known dumping areas

Landfill operators notify PDEQ when loads are turned away from the landfill

Contacts with DOT supervisors, Sheriff’s Department, Tucson Police, utility workers and public officials

Media assistance, Public outreach at schools and libraries

Transient and Undocumented Migrant Dumping is also Under PDEQ

Jurisdiction

Reporting a Wildcat Dumpsite

• Wildcat Dump Hotline (24 hrs) (520) 622-5800

• Pima County Environmental Quality 243-7400

• PDEQ WEB SITE - offers loads of information

www.deq.pima.gov

Our Goal is a Beautiful and Healthy Desert

And…

Beautiful and Healthy Neighborhoods

Questions?

PIMA COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

Milena Sousa PDEQ Enforcement Supervisor

(520) 243-7429 or milena.sousa@pima.gov

KC Custer PDEQ Environmental Investigator

(520) 243-7400