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Cleaning up Devil's Den
On Saturday, volunteers will start to clean up the illegal dump site on property owned by the Paris Sportsmen's Club, as part of the first cleanup sponsored by PA Clean Ways of Washington County. PA Clean Ways works with people to eliminate illegal dumping and littering in the state.
"The property owner said this has been going on for at least 50 years," said Laurie Popeck of Chartiers Township. "This time, we'll focus on the tires and have at least one more if not two more cleanups at the site."
Popeck estimated that at least 300 tires have been dumped at the site.
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The stream that runs at the site is unnamed tributary to Kings Creek. Popeck said it is a cold water fishery which supports fish, plants, and animals that best live and reproduce in colder temperatures. She said there are very few of them in Washington County.
The funding is supported by the state Department of Conservation and National Resources. Popeck said the site was approved because it is in a green way or corridor of open space.
The cleanup will be done from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
Popeck was recently appointed to oversee the newly formed chapter of the nonprofit organization based in Greensburg, Westmoreland County. She has volunteer experience in participating in cleanups and has an extensive work and education background that will assist in her coordination of the chapter. She is a former watershed specialist for the Washington County Conservation District.
Volunteers should meet at the sportsmen's club and will carpool to the site. From Washington, take Route 18 north past Burgettstown and Route 22. Make a left on to Steubenville Pike, follow it for 4.9 miles and turn right on to Devil's Den Road. Follow it to the sportsmen's club.
Popeck said volunteers are needed not just for the cleanup but to help with other tasks.
Registration deadline is Wednesday. For more information, call 1-877-772-3673, extension 107, or e-mail washcopacw@gmail.com. Volunteers should wear sturdy shoes or boots and long pants. Youth volunteers ages 12 to 17 must bring a PA Clean Ways waiver form. Lunch and drinks will be provided. The cleanup will be postponed in the event of inclement weather.
