The Franklin Reporter & Advocate Eight Villages, One Community
A new state anti-dumping program barely two months old has already yielded charges against several alleged illegal dumpers, including two township men.
The effort, called, “Don’t Waste Our Open Space,” was launched in March and is a joint operation among several DEP agencies including Parks, Fish & Wildlife, Compliance & Enforcement, Solid Waste, Water Resources, State Park Police, State Conservation Police, State Forestry Services and the Natural Lands Trust.
One of the two sites in which the effort was launched was the Six Mile Run section of the D&R Canal State Park off Blackwells Mills Road.
Following an investigation into trash and household debris found during the cleanup after the launch ceremony, Dennis Jenkins, 51, of Franklin was charged on April 4 with illegal dumping and the illegal transport of solid waste, according to a press release from the DEP.
An arrest warrant has also been issued in that case for Leardee Fortneberry, 55, also of Franklin, according to the release.
The two charges against Jenkins carry a minimum fine of $7,500 and possible forfeiture of the vehicle used to transport the trash.
More than 60 yards of trash and debris, which filled two 30-yard dumpsters, was found at Six Mile Run, according to the release. The garbage included construction waste, household trash, mattresses and furniture, the release said.
The case was investigated by State Park Police Detectives Timothy Kasony and Gregory Lawrence, according to the release.
DEP spokesman Bob Considine said Kasony continued the investigation shortly after the program launch ceremony.
Kasony, Considine said, “found multiple pieces of identifying evidence, which led to a home address in Franklin Township.”
“The homeowner at the address acknowledged that he had hired Jenkins to clean out their home last year,” Considine said. “Jenkins was interviewed by Kasony shortly thereafter at his home and Jenkins acknowledged doing the cleanup for the homeowner. We also confirmed Jenkins and his vehicle were not licensed to transport solid waste in New Jersey.”
The program was launched March 27 at Six Mile Run by DEP Commissioner Bob Martin and other state and local officials. Among the methods the state will use to catch illegal dumping activity are motion-senor cameras deployed at certain state parks and wildlife management areas, Martin said at the time. He said pictures of those convicted of illegal dumping will be posted on a new Web site, www.stopdumping.nj.gov, as will pictures of those suspected of the activity.
THree other state residents have also been charged under the program, according to the release.
