Column: Report those who litter IL roads

Indian Land is a beautiful community in Lancaster County with scenic country roads and attractive homes mingled with farms and thriving businesses.

It is a shame that there is a constant trashing of Indian Land’s roadways by litterbugs and illegal dumpers.

The situation deserves immediate attention and the Indian Land Action Council has formed an Anti-Littering/Gateways Beautification Committee to increase awareness and promote pride in Indian Land.

Citizens need to get involved and stop the despoiling of our byways. U.S. 521 and S.C. 160 are littered on a daily basis. Shelley Mullis, Jim Wilson and Henry Harris roads take a beating from uncovered vehicles heading for the recycling center, carelessly blowing all their trash out of their trucks.

On trash pick-up days, recyclables are carried by the wind in all directions because people do not properly contain their refuse. Worst of all are the malicious individuals who purposely throw their garbage out their vehicle windows.

Lancaster County Administrator Steve Willis was right when he recently said that if it was known that Indian Land residents were banding together to report tag numbers of litterers and illegal dumpers it could have a chilling effect on violators.

Following up on Mr. Willis’ idea, I would like to encourage all of Indian Land’s citizens to report litterers’ by calling 1-877-7LITTER. When you call this number a Department of Natural Resources staff member will answer. Report the violator’s license tag number and what was dumped, even if it was a cigarette butt, and the location.

The department will then send a letter to the violator saying that he was observed littering and what the fine would be if he was caught by the police – up to $1,000 and prison.

We have, by all accounts, an efficient and dedicated litter enforcement officer on our sheriff’s force – Deputy James Catoe. Sheriff Barry Faile is very pro-active in anti-litter enforcement, as are the officers in his department. We must help our law enforcement officers by being vigilant for illegal dumpers and calling 1-877-7LITTER. Perhaps having 1-877-7LITTER signage posted at strategic areas of Indian Land could help.

Indian Land signage needed

On a separate issue, due to the confusion over our Fort Mill mailing address, many visitors, businesses and residents alike are perplexed over Indian Land’s identity and boundaries.

We should have more signage identifying Indian Land at the gateways to our community. They are the S.C. 160 bridge, which used to have a sign. Also Marvin, Van Wyck, Jim Wilson, Shelley Mullis and Harrisburg roads and any areas I missed.

If the county does not have sufficient funds for this, is it possible for individuals or civic groups to pay for the signs? The signs can’t be that much.

I’m hoping county leaders reading this letter thoughtfully consider this request and respond at their earliest convenience.