Garbage and debris piled in ravines, abandoned lots and other areas are known as open dumps. They can be found in many areas of the state including urban, suburban and rural areas.

"These sites are illegal waste disposal sites, not to be confused with a permitted waste disposal facility," explains Duane Friend, University of Illinois Extension natural resources educator. "Open dumps create potential environmental threats including water and soil contamination, fire, and mosquito breeding."

A new state program has been initiated to help remove open dump sites. The Illinois Removes Illegal Dumps program, or I-RID, is designed to help remove waste from abandoned properties, parks and privately owned lands with up to 20 cubic yards of waste.

On privately owned lands, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency will make a removal agreement with the landowner in cases where fly dumping has occurred, and for new landowners who were unaware of dumping on their property. Individuals with severe illness or financial difficulties may also be eligible. IEPA can use I-RID funds to remove waste and install preventative measures such as signs or barricades to prevent future dumping.

If an open dump is discovered on your property, IEPA suggests reporting the site to local law enforcement authorities. To prevent future dumping, some type of barrier should be installed to prevent access to the site. Warning signs such as "NO DUMPING" should be posted. Clean up the site so that future dumping will not be encouraged.

"If further dumping occurs, keep a record of when it was found and what was dumped," says Friend. "Provide this list to local law enforcement and alert adjacent property owners of the situation."

For more information on this program, log on to http://www.epa.state.il.us/land/open-dumps/brochure.pdf.