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Disposing of solid waste on public property or within 100 yards of any state
or county road is not only unsightly, it's also illegal. Dumps detract from
our
community's image and discourage tourists and potential residents. Toxic
materials in roadside dumps contribute to surface and groundwater
pollution
and create hazards to wildlife, as well as humans. Dumping creates breeding
grounds for rodents, skunks and other disease-carrying pests. It can also
damage roads from blockage of drainage culverts, leading to flooding and
road erosion. Finally, dumps may contain hazardous materials and frequently
catch
fire.
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In Oklahoma, anyone convicted of illegal dumping may be fined from $200 to $5000, sent to jail, or both, in addition to being
responsible for cleaning up
the trash. The court may also order payment of up to $2000 into a reward fund.
To file a complaint about open dumping, contact the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality Complaint Hotline
at 1-800-522-0206 or click this
link to file your complaint online: ODEQ Environmental Complaint. An agency representative
will respond to your complaint within 48 hours. Also, don't
forget to contact your local sheriff's office. In many cases, the county
sheriff's department can provide a quick and successful enforcement response to a
local illegal dumping problem.
Limited funds are available from the State of Oklahoma for help with the cleanup of existing dump sites. Visit Program Funding
located on our Services
page to obtain information about funding dump clean-ups and how to contact the program administrator,
the Association of County Commissioners of
Oklahoma.
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