Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency seeks public support to stop illegal dumping. Imagine working day in and day out to protect resources and then finding someone illegally dumps on what you’re working so hard to protect. This is exactly what Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency officers strive to stop, especially on public boating access areas and wildlife management areas.
Illegal dumping has significantly increased in the past two years. Dumping affects not only the aesthetics of an area, but is a threat to human safety and can affect water quality. It also robs from all Tennesseans in that the moneys from hunters and anglers that typically support wildlife resources are spent cleaning up after humans.
Wildlife officers can often find those illegally dumping through investigative means. New technologies along with furtive operations allow many criminals to be caught. However, it takes time and effort which is better spent on other duties such as water safety. Wildlife Officer Christy Twilla said, “It makes us angry. We want to catch individuals who lack respect for these public areas. They should be and will be held accountable if caught.”
The small amount of time and money it takes to legally dispose of human garbage is far less than the amount it takes to remedy illegal dumping. Help put a stop to illegal dumping.
Wildlife officers encourage anyone who witnesses illegal dumping to contact TWRA regional offices. For more information visit: tnwildlife.org.