Fall cleaning aids landowners
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
In an effort to show appreciation for landowners allowing the recreational use of their property, members of the Maine Forest Service and volunteers spent the day recently removing and disposing of debris at locations throughout Aroostook County.
Gov. Paul LePage, in support of efforts to clean up illegally deposited items on private woodlands, officially declared Oct. 15 as Landowner Appreciation Cleanup Day.
Photo courtesy of MFS
ARNOLD YORK, a member of the Star City ATV Club, uses an ATV to pull a load of tires from a wooded area, during the Maine Forest Service’s Landowner Appreciation Day, held Oct. 15. The Presque Isle club joined forces with several other organizations, gathering tons of debris from local properties and trails.
“The proclamation addresses the generosity of both small and large woodland owners who graciously allow access to their properties for recreational use,” said LePage.
“The goal of the event was twofold. First, to provide a means to thank Maine’s private landowners, most of which allow free recreational use of their property; and secondly, to properly dispose of illegally discarded items and discourage further dumping on these sites,” noted Sgt. Robby Gross, Maine Forest Service, headquartered in Masardis.
Gross said prior to the event, forest rangers and SWOAM (Small Woodland Owners Association of Maine) members identified “more than 100 illegal dump sites on private land throughout Maine.”
“The Maine Forest Service organized the event and supplied trucks and trash bags to haul the discarded materials to nearby transfer station, with many offering to waive the fees for these materials,” said Gross.
The event relied on volunteers to load the discarded items and dozen of individuals and outdoor recreation groups committed to helping out, including the Star City ATV Club of Presque Isle.
Photo courtesy of MFS
SCOUTS HELP CLEAN — Several local Scouts and leaders assisted the Maine Forest Service in removing debris from property and trails as part of Landowner Appreciation Day. Pictured from left are: Gage Young, Presque Isle Scout; Dakota Smith and Ethan Hunt, of Hodgdon Troop 155; David Cyr, Presque Isle assistant scoutmaster; Presque Isle Scouts John Freeman and Chris Steep; Tom Peary, Presque Isle scoutmaster; Jacob Geiger, of Hodgdon Troop 155; and Presque Isle Scouts David Cyr, Dylan Shaw and Issac Demerchant.
“Four club members took part. We worked on the CP trail in Presque Isle — got a truckload of tires. We probably had 12-15 tires we picked up. We had so many we couldn’t get them all on one truck, had to use a pickup too,” said Richard “Dick” Howlett, president of the Star City ATV Club.
In addition to Howlett, his wife, Kathie Howlett, Arnold York and Robert Besaw took part in the clean-up effort.
“We worked along the trail — probably collected two or three bags of trash; we even got a washing machine. In one trip alone we probably took at least 1,600 pounds to the dump,” said Howlett.
“Landowners really appreciate this. All they ask in exchange for the use of their land is that those using it respect it and keep it clean,” said Howlett.
Gross said several pounds of trash were disposed of, making the day a big success.
“The day was a great success in Aroostook County. Many groups were involved with cleaning up several sites from T16-R4 WELS to Houlton. Hundreds of pounds of garbage were picked up and delivered to area landfills and transfer stations,” said Gross.
Photo courtesy of MFS
FORT SCOUTS HELP CLEAN — Fort Fairfield Scouts joined several other individuals and organizations on Oct. 15, assisting the Maine Forest Service with Landowner Appreciation Cleanup Day. Pictured in front from left are: Nicholas Krause, Brent McBreairty, Jacob Binyon-Cullins, Sgt. Robby Gross of the Maine Forest Service, and Leader Robert Bixler. In back are: Luke Edgecomb, Logan Edgecomb, Thomas Krause, Trevor Graves and Kelvin Forsman.
He said all involved should be pleased with what took place.
“Landowners and volunteer groups should feel very proud of what has resulted from the combined efforts of those contributing to the cause,” said Gross.
Organizations participating in cleanup activities in Aroostook County included: Star City ATV Club; Presque Isle Snowmobile Club; Chapman Ridge Runners; Frenchville ATV Club; Aroostook Riders ATV Club; Haynesville ATV Club; southern Aroostook forestry students; East Branch District Hotshots; University of Maine at Fort Kent Students; and Boy Scouts of American members from Troop 171, Presque Isle, Troop 194, Fort Fairfield, Troop 155, Houlton/Hodgdon, Troop 179, Ashland, Troop 189, Fort Kent, and Troop 170, Mapleton.
For more information on the Maine Forest Service, visit www.maineforestservice.com
