Departments :: Public Works Department

Garbage Policy

April 6, 2001
Revised August 9, 2002

TO: The Wasco County Court
FROM: Dan Boldt
SUBJECT: Proposed Policy: Garbage Dumped along Wasco County Roads

In some form or another, I propose Wasco County adopt a policy regarding the response to garbage dumped along county road rights-of-way.

Every year, particularly in the spring, plastic bags of yard debris and household garbage are dumped on county road rights-of-way. It is unsightly and unhealthy, but rarely dangerous to normal road traffic. Wasco County Public Work's practice since 1980 has been not to pick up the garbage along county road rights-of-way unless the garbage is on the roadway and poses a hazard to motorists.

Road employees are not equipped to pick up garbage, are not trained in what to do with most hazardous materials. The Public Works Department has no cost-effective way to dispose of the garbage. Therefore, Wasco County Public Works will:

  1. Continue to not pick up roadside garbage.
  2. Aggressively search for a name of who might have dumped the garbage.
  3. Contact the Wasco County Sheriff Department to pursue issuance of a citation to persons found dumping garbage on public road rights-of-way.
  4. Involve the Wasco County Sanitarian, from the Public Health Department, to assist in proper actions.
  5. Place signs, where appropriate, prohibiting illegal dumping.

This policy also applies to household appliances and tires dumped along county road rights-of-way. The Public Works Department may occasionally remove garbage, appliances, or tires before they "multiply" if left on the roadside.

The objective is to minimize the frequency of such dumping. County citizens need to know the dumping of garbage along public road rights-of-way is illegal, unhealthy, and inconsiderate. Those who dump garbage onto the public will be held accountable for their actions.