Tires, litter, dump sites among issues in need of solutions
KINGWOOD — Dilapidated buildings, rails-to-trails, illegal dumpsites, litter and tires.
Preston County Litter Officer Jay Sowers said each of these categories poses problems that have to be resolved.
“I have a 53-foot box trailer full of tires waiting for the state to pick up,” he said. “I have about a third of a box trailer full waiting for an empty trailer.”
Sowers said each box trailer holds 900 to 1,200 tires, depending on size and the way they are stacked.
The tires and box trailer are both stored at the Terra Alta Recycling Center.
“I’m waiting for the trailer to be emptied before I take more,” he said.
He said anyone who has questions about tire disposal can call him at 304-698-5594.
Sowers said clean up along the roads is resulting in the collection of a lot of litter. He said a recent clean up from Pringle Run to Rowlesburg included a trailer load of tires and several loads of litter.
“There were even kayakers on the (Cheat) river helping us clean up. They spotted a dishwasher someone threw over the hill, and it rolled down the hill toward the river,” he said.
Sowers said he is working with members of the Department of Environmental Protection to clean up several illegal dumps in the county.
“I have more eyes out now,” he said. “When the (sheriff’s) deputies, the state troopers or Department of Natural Resources officers see anything (people dumping or littering) they call me.”
During a recent meeting of the Preston County Solid Waste Authority, Don Smith, who represents the county commission on the board, suggested Sowers take the trailer he uses with his ATV to dump sites.
He said that would allow workers to put the bags of litter on the trailer and all Sowers would have to do is tow them away.
Sowers said work is continuing on the trails. He said poles have been placed to keep 4-wheelers and ATV’s off the trails.
Sowers said litter is seldom found along the trails now that walkers have begun using them.
Before work began on the trails project, several illegal dump sites had to be cleaned.
“The rails-to-trails committee is very dedicated and very good people to work with. I appreciate them all,” he said. “We’re very fortunate to have people like them and Friends of the Cheat.”
Sowers said another problem is dilapidated buildings located around the county.
He said in an effort to get them cleaned up, certified letters have been sent to the owners.
“Some of them are in heirship, so all of the people involved have to be run down and sent a certified letter,” Sowers said.
He said dilapidated buildings sometimes have illegal drug activity going on in them.
Sowers said even though they are not safe, homeless people sometimes use them as a place to sleep or live.
“They cause health issues,” he said. “They attract rats.”
Sowers said the current county ordinance requires sending three certified letters to the owners of the buildings before other legal action can be taken.
The Preston County Cleanup Committee has two buildings ready to come down, he said. “Another one in the Denver area was sold, and the new owner is in the process of cleaning it up.”
He said changes are coming with the way the county deals with dilapidated buildings.
“We’ve updated our ordinance,” Sowers said. “As soon as we can hold a meeting, we’ll get it ready and vote to send it to the commission.”
Groups or individuals interested in helping clean up along roads and streets, can call Sowers at 304-698-5594.
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