Battle to curb illegal dumping in backcountry

A volunteer group working to reduce illegal dumping in the backcountry, estimates it has removed 300,000 pounds of illegally dumped garbage in the Okanagan since forming in 2016.

“It’s our hope that our continued efforts in this New Year will help keep the backcountry clean and enjoyable for all,” Kane Blake, founder of the Okanagan Forest Task Force (OFTF), said.

Since July 2020, the volunteer group assisted in the ticketing about 60 individuals for illegally dumping garbage in the backcountry.

“With the help of Big White and their generous donation to purchase trail cameras, OFTF has been busy. Cameras have been placed on many forest service roads in what are known to be illegal dumping ‘hot spots,’” Blake said.

Blake added the cameras typically get checked once a week, and that’s when investigations are triggered.

“In a single week, some cameras capture upwards of 3,500 photos. We have a few long-time members in various areas around the Okanagan who help monitor cameras, analyze photos, and gather evidence. All evidence is then turned over to the Conservation Office for further analysis and possible prosecutions which can include hefty fines.”

The group has also used drones to locate dump sites and photograph them.

Blake said illegal dumping has not seemed to have slowed down, and the number of incidents continue to rise.

“We have encountered some scenarios where a single ‘hot spot’ will have seen three illegal dumping violations in a week.”

The founder added volunteer turnout was amazing in 2020, and was a big reason why cleanup events were so successful, even with COVID guidelines in place.

“We were even able to live-stream one of the cleanup events via drone-footage for other members to watch,” Blake said.

Kane is thanking OFTF’s volunteers and supporters, along with local Conservation Officers who are vital in the program.

He also thanked local media outlets who he said have proved essential in bringing continued awareness to what are often unseen challenges and violations in the backcountry.