BLM struggles against illegal dumping on fed lands

SKULL VALLEY, Utah (AP) – The biggest toxic dump in America might be its vast federal lands. Federal officials say it’s happening more often – people dumping televisions, computers, cell phones and other stuff on public lands. And it’s getting more expensive to clean up because much of the trash has to be treated as hazardous waste. The federal Bureau of Land Management is the nation’s largest landlord in charge of some 412,000 square miles, mostly in 12 Western states. BLM officials say they can’t keep up with all the dumping. They say dumping attracts more dumping as people see one pile of garbage and add to it. Faced with the increasing dump sites and expenses, BLM is preparing an appeal to the public to halt illegal dumping. A nationwide campaign could launch next year.

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