"Pack It In, Pack It Out" But not across the county line!

 

 

Under the Flow Control Plan and existing regulations, businesses and commercial entities are strictly prohibited from using the residential Green Box system. To legally dispose of their garbage, businesses must either contract with a certified commercial waste hauler or transport their waste directly to the landfill (and eventually the Dunmore transfer station) to pay the required per-ton tipping fees.

Tourists and day visitors will not be individually required to drive to the Dunmore Transfer Station before leaving the county. Instead, the massive amount of waste generated by tourism—which officials describe as a significant economic "externality" for the county—is typically disposed of at the recreational sites, hotels, state parks, or Monongahela National Forest facilities where visitors stay. Once tourists dispose of their trash at these host locations, it becomes the legal responsibility of those commercial businesses and government agencies to manage the waste by using contracted haulers. The Solid Waste Authority (SWA) must aggressively enforce rules to prevent tourists and businesses from illegally bypassing this system by dumping their waste into the residential Green Boxes.

The "Flow Control" mandate itself is primarily aimed at these commercial haulers and municipalities; it ensures that once a hauler collects waste from a business or public park, they cannot bypass the county's system to take it to a cheaper out-of-county landfill. Every ounce must go through the Dunmore facility so the county can collect the tipping fees needed to pay for the transfer station lease.

Regarding the weekend logistical gap, the weekend closures do not prevent businesses from throwing away trash on their own premises; rather, they threaten the county's ability to transport that trash. The crisis stems from the fact that the destination regional landfills in neighboring counties (like Greenbrier) operate on standard industrial schedules and close over the weekend. Historically, Pocahontas County had to empty its Green Boxes seven days a week to prevent overflow. Once the local landfill closes, the SWA will not have an open destination to send its waste on Saturdays and Sundays, meaning the county will have to rely on the new transfer station's ability to consolidate and temporarily store the weekend waste until it can be hauled out-of-county on Monday.

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When visiting the Monongahela National Forest, managing your trash responsibly is essential to protect the environment, wildlife, and the experience of other visitors. While some developed areas offer disposal, many locations require you to "Pack It In, Pack It Out."

Typical Trash Disposal Options for Visitors

1. Within the National Forest

• Developed Campgrounds and Day-Use Areas: Major recreation sites like Seneca Shadows Campground and Tea Creek Campground often have dumpsters or large, bear-proof trash receptacles for visitor use.

• Bear-Proof Canisters: To prevent wildlife habituation, use the designated bear-proof containers where provided. Always ensure the latch is secured correctly.

• Non-Developed or Dispersed Camping: If you are camping in a location without trash cans (often the case for backcountry or dispersed camping), you are required to pack all of your garbage out with you.

2. Nearby Facilities (Hotels, State Parks, and Communities)

• Where You Stay: If you are a guest at a hotel, motel, or private cabin, you should use the garbage services provided at that facility.

• State Parks: West Virginia State Parks located within or near the Monongahela National Forest (such as Blackwater Falls, Canaan Valley Resort, or Watoga) have their own waste disposal systems for their guests and day visitors.

• Community Transfer Stations: If you have accumulated trash and are leaving the forest, you may be able to use a local municipal transfer station for a small fee. For example, the Mountaineer Transfer Station near Morgantown is one such option, though it is not a direct National Forest facility.

The Problem: Overflowing Trash Cans

Overflowing trash receptacles are a serious issue in the National Forest for several reasons:

• Wildlife Attractant: Overflowing trash, especially food waste, is the primary cause of bear-human conflicts. Bears can become food-conditioned, leading to property damage and potential danger to people. A "problem bear" often must be euthanized.

• Environmental Pollutant: Litter can contaminate soil and water, harm fish and wildlife, and is aesthetically unpleasant.

• Operational Challenge: Managing waste in a remote national forest is logistically difficult and expensive. When cans overflow, it takes significantly more time and resources for already-strained forest staff to clean up.

How You Can Help: Leave No Trace

Please follow the "Pack It In, Pack It Out" principle to help protect the Monongahela National Forest:

1. Plan Ahead: Bring durable containers and reusable items to minimize the amount of waste you generate.

2. Repackage Food: Remove unnecessary packaging at home to reduce trash before your trip.

3. Bring Your Own Trash Bags: Always have a plan for containing your own waste until you find a proper disposal location.

4. Never Leave Trash in the Forest: This includes "natural" items like orange peels or apple cores, which decompose slowly and attract wildlife.

5. Check Containers: If a trash can is full, do not pile more trash on top or leave it next to the bin. This creates an immediate wildlife hazard. Take it with you to the next available facility.