Economic Impact
Dumps sites serve as magnets for additional dumping and other illegal activities such as drugs, crime, and vandalism.
Law enforcement presence in many rural areas, especially on the edges of cities and counties, is often scarce and lacks funding and support to enforce ordinances.
Property values decrease which makes the dumping areas unattractive for residents and developers.
Ultimately, the cost to local government to clean illegally dumped wastes are significant and these costs will be passed on to the community.
Financial Costs:
Law enforcement presence in many rural areas, especially on the edges of cities and counties, is often scarce and lacks funding and support to enforce ordinances.
Property values decrease which makes the dumping areas unattractive for residents and developers.
Ultimately, the cost to local government to clean illegally dumped wastes are significant and these costs will be passed on to the community.
Financial Costs:
- Increased tax and utility rates
- Diversion of local staff and equipment resources from other local public needs (public works staff, police, public attorneys)
- Increased law enforcement costs
- Increased administrative costs
- Private sector business costs
- Private property owner cleanup costs
- Property devaluation and potential loss of opportunities to develop land and attract additional business opportunities (such as tourism)'
- Lost disposal revenues at permitted public and private disposal facilities (illegally dumped waste bypasses billing system)
- Reduced local government tax revenue from less successful permitted private disposal facilities (wastes bypassing billing system)