The Niles Star

Cass County seeing more roadside dumping as economy worsens

According to the 2009 National Visible Litter Survey and Litter Cost Survey there are over 51 billion pieces of litter on our nation’s roadways, 4.6 billion of which are larger than four inches in size. This litter costs government businesses, schools and volunteer organizations almost 11.5 billion annually to clean up.

With more than 1,000 miles of road to maintain in Cass County, the road commission is not immune to the issue of litter and trash. As economic times get worse the incidence of roadside dumping increases, which is both costly and unfair to the traveling public who use the roads. In addition it is distinctly illegal.

While the commission’s main function is to maintain and repair the roads, the agency often receives telephone calls for numerous other services including roadside trash removal.

Tapping into programs such as the Adopt-A-Road Program and use of Cass County Jail inmates help keep the roads clean, said Louis Csokasy, road commission manager.

“We also recently have taken the initiative to work with law enforcement on trash removal,” Csokasy said.

“For example, recently one of our volunteers while removing roadside trash found names and addresses in the material being removed,” he said. “We turned over this evidence to the Cass County Sheriff’s Department which is currently pursuing the matter. Additionally, the Cass County Road Commission is billing the individuals for the cost of the cleanup. While it is expensive to pay for trash service it is necessary and unfair for a small minority to dump trash along our roads,” he said.

Persons who are interested in the Adopt-A-Road Program or in volunteering to help alleviate the accumulation of trash along the county roads are encouraged to call the road commission at (269) 445-8611.