City joins with County on Illegal Dumping Work Group

Robert Perea, The Fernley Reporter

Among the most common complaints received by Lyon County, City of Fernley and other officials are illegal dumping and code enforcement.

Now a handful of Lyon County and state and federal agencies are working together to find a regional approach to stop illegal dumping.

Headed by Lyon County Code Enforcement Officer David Scott, a regional Illegal Dumping Work Group has been formed, and met on Sept. 12. Participants included:

• Lyon County Code Enforcement
• Lyon County Sheriff’s Office
• Central Lyon County Fire Protection District
• City of Fernley
• Desert Pigs
• Bureau of Land Management
• Waste Management
• Stericycle
• Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles
• Nevada Department of Transportation
• Nevada Manufactured Housing

The Working Group identified several goals, including increasing public awareness of the problem and encouraging the public to report illegal dumping when they see it happening.

Other goals include:

• Getting community groups involved
• Creating a Resource List for residents who may not be aware of where and how to properly dispose of their waste material
• Partnering with Stericycle to include Household Hazardous Waste in community cleanup events
• Encouraging the creation of “Community Pride” organizations that could pair volunteers with people who need help with cleanup

The Illegal Dumping Work Group has identified that they will meet on a quarterly basis to continue collaboration and cooperation to keep cleaning Lyon County.

County Manager Jeff Page said he is very excited to see the cooperation of local government, state agencies, private business and nonprofits to address the challenges of illegal dumping.