Slough of problems
Nature preserve plagued by trash and target shooting
By Mark Wilson (Contact)
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Supporters of a nature preserve in development near the Ohio River in Vanderburgh County are disgusted the land has continued to be plagued by illegal dumping and target shooting.
Eagle Slough is a 127-acre wooded wetlands in the Vanderburgh County river bottoms across Waterworks Road from Ellis Park that has been developed for public use as a nature preserve and birding location.
Volunteers removed eight tons of tires and other trash from the wetlands last spring and fall.
But Meyer recently said he was disgusted to discover several bags of trash and a large amount of roofing shingles had been dumped just inside the site's entrance.
"It's especially painful to see more trash being dumped by ignorant people," he said.
He estimated there were more than a half-dozen truckloads of shingles. While the trash bags easily can be removed, items such as shingles are more of a problem.
"If the river comes up, those shingles will get moved all over the place. It's a mess now, but it will get worse if nothing is done," Meyer said.
Continuing use of the area for target shooting also has been a problem.
"Shotgun shells and rifle casings are everywhere," Meyer said. "I stopped picking them up — my pockets were full. Shooters are tying targets to the trees along our new trail and then shooting at an angle that has to be right down the trail.
"I found a top to a charcoal grill resting against a stump with (shotgun) slug holes. Beer cans are stuck upside down on tree limbs, filled with bullet holes. I found old plastic oil cans in several places filled with bullet holes.
"In essence, the trail has become a clear shooting gallery."
That could create an especially dangerous situation, he said.
"No Trespassing" and "No Firearms" signs have been repeatedly torn down.
"The first set was down within 48 hours. The other lasted a week," Meyer said.
The Vanderburgh County Soil & Water Conservation District, Four Rivers Resource Conservation & Development Area, Wesselman Nature Society and the Nature Conservancy pooled their resources to acquire the area.
And, the organizations have been maintaining the area out of their own budgets.
Many of the developments, such as a trail and overlook deck, are being paid for with donations earmarked for those purposes.
The organizations also are hoping to extend a guardrail farther along Waterworks Road to make it more difficult for people to drive vehicles in to illegally dump trash. Meyer said that will cost at least $5,000.
That will make it difficult to find the funds to rent the heavy equipment necessary to remove the shingles and properly dispose of them, Meyer said.
Nature preserve plagued by trash and target shooting
By Mark Wilson (Contact)
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Supporters of a nature preserve in development near the Ohio River in Vanderburgh County are disgusted the land has continued to be plagued by illegal dumping and target shooting.
Eagle Slough is a 127-acre wooded wetlands in the Vanderburgh County river bottoms across Waterworks Road from Ellis Park that has been developed for public use as a nature preserve and birding location.
Volunteers removed eight tons of tires and other trash from the wetlands last spring and fall.
But Meyer recently said he was disgusted to discover several bags of trash and a large amount of roofing shingles had been dumped just inside the site's entrance.
"It's especially painful to see more trash being dumped by ignorant people," he said.
He estimated there were more than a half-dozen truckloads of shingles. While the trash bags easily can be removed, items such as shingles are more of a problem.
"If the river comes up, those shingles will get moved all over the place. It's a mess now, but it will get worse if nothing is done," Meyer said.
Continuing use of the area for target shooting also has been a problem.
"Shotgun shells and rifle casings are everywhere," Meyer said. "I stopped picking them up — my pockets were full. Shooters are tying targets to the trees along our new trail and then shooting at an angle that has to be right down the trail.
"I found a top to a charcoal grill resting against a stump with (shotgun) slug holes. Beer cans are stuck upside down on tree limbs, filled with bullet holes. I found old plastic oil cans in several places filled with bullet holes.
"In essence, the trail has become a clear shooting gallery."
That could create an especially dangerous situation, he said.
"No Trespassing" and "No Firearms" signs have been repeatedly torn down.
"The first set was down within 48 hours. The other lasted a week," Meyer said.
The Vanderburgh County Soil & Water Conservation District, Four Rivers Resource Conservation & Development Area, Wesselman Nature Society and the Nature Conservancy pooled their resources to acquire the area.
And, the organizations have been maintaining the area out of their own budgets.
Many of the developments, such as a trail and overlook deck, are being paid for with donations earmarked for those purposes.
The organizations also are hoping to extend a guardrail farther along Waterworks Road to make it more difficult for people to drive vehicles in to illegally dump trash. Meyer said that will cost at least $5,000.
That will make it difficult to find the funds to rent the heavy equipment necessary to remove the shingles and properly dispose of them, Meyer said.
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