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Herlong War on Desert Trash

Akin to a well planned and executed military operation, heavy equipment and volunteer ground forces assembled precisely at 0900 hours outside the main gate of the Herlong dump. Alex McGinnis, Jack Pettitt, and Jim Swaim were selected as team leaders. A plan of operation was detailed, operational plan maps were issued, and the three "tactical teams" were joined by heavy equipment donated by Arnold Bay (AB Construction, Doyle), Just Rent It (Doyle) and Plumas Sierra Rural Electric Cooperative.

NOTE: This community project was organized by Vivian Peterson, West Patton Village Community Services District, Manager. Vivian recognized a need to "clean up this mess". These links depict the "before" appearance of the "battle area":

Photograph group one - Photograph group two - Photograph group three - Photograph group four

Within minutes the three designated tactical teams dispersed to their assigned desert battle locations and began a simultaneous assault on the enemy. Initial enemy resistance was extremely heavy. However, by 3:30 pm, local time, Arnold Bay, operating both a front loader and dump truck, and Dan Jones and Paul Erwin (Plumas Sierra), manning heavy hoist and flatbed trucks, reported that they had completed their assigned missions and were engaged in removing scattered "targets of opportunity".

At 4:00pm the victorious "Herlong Desert Battle Task Force" completed phase one and reassembled at the dump main gate for an "after action review" and debriefing. Confirmed "Battle Damage Assessment": 100% removal of opposition heavy hardware from the battle area and four large transport containers filled to overflowing.

On Saturday, 17 November, battle tested veterans and fresh reinforcements joined forces at 9am near the dump gate. Team leaders assembled their members and set forth to "mop up" the scattered enemy remnants. The remaining small clusters of enemy offered little effective resistance, however their overwhelming numbers presented a immense challenge. Displaying steadfast determination and exemplary community pride the three task force teams slowly trudged through the thick sage brush collecting the enemy. Years of accumulated wind blown trash from the county dump covered the desert as far as the eye could see. Sticker bushes and sage brush were unwilling to release their captured prey. Bending and stooping was the order of the day.

After seven hours of difficult, backbreaking hand labor, the three exhausted teams returned to the dump proud of their accomplishment and secure in the knowledge that they had made a significant contribution to the Herlong community.

During an impromptu victory celebration at the dump, Arnold Bay and Cindy Wheeler (CCC) were recognized for their effective "tag team" dump truck and front loader efforts. Both Howard Cart and Mark Garza were each awarded $20 for finding pre-positioned business cards hidden within the scattered trash.

Vivian Peterson, West Patton Village Community Services District Secretary/Manager, provided the results from the two-day cleanup effort:

Total Task Force Members: 29
Total Dump Truck Loads : 18
Total Transport Bins Filled: 10
Total "Tipping Fees" to LC Solid Waste Management: $1292.51

The "Task Force" passionately voiced their consensus that the Lassen County Solid Waste Management Board must take immediate action to install an effective "litter fence" at the dump. Everd McCain stated that a more effective "litter fence" was appropriate and that this county-wide trash problem was being studied by the Solid Waste Board. Some voiced their opinion that just a fence was not enough. Because of the frequent high winds in the area a permanent three sided building was required to enclose the trash bins.

The "Task Force" agreed that the Lassen County Sheriff must increase enforcement of the $1000 fine for littering or illegal dumping. When asked about the illegal dumping, Peterson said, "We found four illegal dump sites and identified those responsible". "Two of the people have left the Herlong area, the third is in jail, and the fourth blames one of the first two." Peterson added, "I contacted the forth person face to face and requested that he join us for the clean up, he said that he would be busy baby sitting on Saturday." Peterson revealed that a number founding members of the Herlong community have pledged to report all illegal dumping to the County Sheriff. Peterson challenged the entire community to "pick up a piece of trash when you walk in the desert and keep a sharp eye out for illegal dumpers and dump sites."

Lassen County Regional Solid Waste Management "Tipping" fees were provided by Everd McCain, Shaw Engineering (Reno) and Baillie and Associates (Washington).

Logistical, Administrative and General Support was provided by:

Herlong Gateway Market
Susanville Indian Rancheria
Herlong Utilities Cooperative
Federal Bureau of Prisons (FCI Herlong)
West Patton Village Community Services District
Herlong Mothers for Clean Water
Doyle Christian Church
U.S. Post Office (Herlong)