Environmental officer expects arrest in illegal dumping of tires off CR 228
By BENJAMIN C. SHARP bensharp@journal-spectator.com

Staff Photo by Benjamin Sharp Over 50 tires litter the dried riverbed of Caney Creek beneath a bridge off CR 228.

GLEN FLORA - Bordered by mosscovered trees and lush undergrowth, the dried-up riverbed seems like the perfect place for contemplation, meditation and the enjoyment of nature. But then you spot the tires.

Strewn haphazardly in the shadow of the wooden bridge that spans CR 228 overhead, the tires form a stark contrast with the natural surroundings of this section of Caney Creek. A quick tabulation reveals more than 50 large tires, the kind that would be used by 18-wheelers or a tractor. All are well worn, with some containing holes through which thin shafts of light peek through.

From the roadway up above, the tires are mostly hidden from sight. Motorists who pass by on this secluded gravel road would likely never know what lay below.

Yet the tires failed to escape notice. A watchful resident who lives in the area reported seeing a truck dump the tires into the dried-up creek, said Mark Somer, the county's environmental enforcement officer.

Somer began investigating. Over the last month - since the dumping was first reported on March 3 - Somer has used evidence recovered at the scene to track down the original owner of the tires.

That individual, however, had no knowledge of the dumping, Somer said.

"He had paid someone to dump these tires properly," the officer said.

Somer believes the person paid for that job decided to make a little extra money by dumping the tires. That cut out the fees assessed for proper disposal. Such costs can certainly add up, Somer said, considering disposal fees can run around $2 per car tire and $5 per truck tire.

The county will now have to face covering those fees as it cleans up the mess. But plans are to have those costs reimbursed.

"I'm working on a warrant right now. We know there is one individual involved for sure. There could be more arrests following," he said. "And our plans are to ask for restitution."

Such dumping is a state jail felony, Somer said.

When asked if such incidents are prevalent in rural areas of the county, Somer said not as much as a few years ago. He believes law enforcement has helped curb such crime.

"It happens everywhere across the county, but it's definitely not as problematic as it used to be. We are seeing a big drop off in large illegal dumping cases. Being out there is definitely having an impact," he said.

And the vigilance of area residents cannot be downplayed, either. Somer said law enforcement depends upon notification by the public to keep abreast of environmental offenses and crime in general. He urged anyone who may see illegal dumping or another environmental crime to contact him at 335-6210, ext. 13.