The Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) initiative to crack down on illegal dumping in state parks and on recreational lands has yielded eight more enforcement actions, all for disposing of debris and other materials in state-owned natural areas, according to a press release.
The DEP’s “Don’t Waste Our Open Space” campaign was launched in March. Investigations of illegal dump sites on state properties by Division of Fish and Wildlife conservation officers, state park police and DEP compliance and enforcement personnel has resulted so far in 28 arrests or enforcement actions.
“The results of this program should continue to serve as warning for illegal dumpers that their actions will not be tolerated,” DEP Commissioner Bob Martin said.
“Through our investigations, we are showing that no site is too remote to be caught, and those who have no regard for the environment, wildlife or people who enjoy the outdoors will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”
Recent enforcement actions for the illegal dumping initiative, all conducted by state conservation officers, include the following:
Luis Pulla, 47, and Alex Gualotuna, 34, both of East Windsor, were charged with illegal dumping and illegal solid waste disposal after two large piles of construction debris were found at the Assunpink Wildlife Management Area, Upper Freehold Township, in September.
Both pled guilty to illegal dumping. Each was fined $1,500, plus $1,000 each in restitution for the cost of the cleanup. The case was investigated by Conservation Officer Shannon Martiak.
Robert E. Davis, 41, of Plumsted, was charged with illegal dumping of construction debris and household debris that was found near the Lake Success section of the Colliers Mills Wildlife Management Area in Jackson in October. A court hearing on the charges is pending.
Illegal dumping, which includes everything from unlawful disposal of construction debris and old TVs and computers to the dumping of car parts and tires — and even entire vehicles — has been a growing problem in the state’s vast natural holdings in all 21 counties in recent years, according to the DEP.
Nearly all of the state’s more than 170 publicly owned tracts, including state parks, state forests, wildlife management areas, marinas, and natural lands and preserves have been impacted by illegal dumping.
These lands account for 813,000 acres of state-preserved open space, according to the press release.