[ADEQ Media] ADEQ Director Owens Announces Cleanup at Illegal Border Crossings in Yuma

[media@lists.azdeq.gov]

ADEQ Director Owens Announces Cleanup at Illegal Border Crossings in
Yuma

PHOENIX (Sept. 15, 2008) -- Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
(ADEQ) Director Steve Owens announced today that ADEQ will participate
in a cleanup on Saturday, Sept. 20 in Yuma to remove waste discarded
during illegal border crossings along the Colorado River.

ADEQ is participating in the cleanup as part of its Undocumented Migrant
(UDM) Waste Project, through the department's Office of Border
Environmental Protection. In addition to providing logistical support,
cleaning equipment and volunteers for the cleanups, ADEQ has worked with
state, local, and Cocopah Tribe officials and community groups to
organize the cleanup. 

An estimated 20 to 30 tons of water bottles, food containers, plastic
bags and other waste is expected to be cleaned up. The waste also
includes tires, oil, and construction materials. The waste gathered by
volunteers will be moved to a landfill in Yuma.  

"The trashing of the desert by border crossers is a huge problem,"
Director Owens said. "We have been working with officials at the federal
and local levels, as well as community groups, to develop a strategy for
addressing this enormous issue and organizing cleanups of waste that has
been left in the desert."

In addition to its UDM Waste Project, ADEQ has a broader, ongoing effort
to address the overall problem of illegal dumping throughout Arizona.
The agency has established a program to work with local officials to
prevent illegal dumping and clean up illegal dump sites across the
state.

"Dealing with the problem of illegal dumping is a priority," Owens said.
"Illegal dumping poses a serious threat to public health and the
environment, as well as to the well being of communities. We are
committed to working with local leaders to address this major problem in
our state."

-30-

News media interested in additional information on this or any other
topic concerning the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality should
contact the Office of Communications at (602) 771-2215 or via email at
communications@azdeq.gov.

**********************************************************************
NOTICE: This e-mail (and any attachments) may contain PRIVILEGED OR 
CONFIDENTIAL information and is intended only for the use of the specific 
individual(s) to whom it is addressed.  It may contain information that is 
privileged and confidential under state and federal law.  This information 
may be used or disclosed only in accordance with law, and you may be 
subject to penalties under law for improper use or further disclosure of the 
information in this e-mail and its attachments. If you have received this e-
mail in error, please immediately notify the person named above by reply e-
mail, and then delete the original e-mail.  Thank you.