AUGUSTA — Maine forest rangers are gearing up for the second annual Landowner Appreciation Cleanup Day.

It’s a statewide event scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 15, for people who recreate outdoors to show their appreciation to landowners who allow free access to their land, Regional Ranger Jeff Currier, Maine Forest Service Incident Management Team commander, stated Monday in a news release.

Participants will help properly dispose of illegally discarded items at dump sites and discourage further dumping on these sites, such as one on Mace Road in Chesterville.

So far, nearly 60 illegal dump sites on private land throughout Maine have been identified, Currier said.

Most of the illegal dump sites identified came from calls to the Maine Forest Service. Additionally, forest rangers have investigated more than 275 litter complaints this year, he said.

“Our Landowner Appreciation Cleanup Day held last year was very successful, and a lot of work was accomplished, for which landowners were very appreciative,” Currier said.

Last year, several all-terrain vehicle and snowmobile clubs, individuals and Boy Scout troops helped clean up these sites, he said.

“We are asking for volunteers to again step forward and help with this rewarding project,” Currier said.

To volunteer or to notify the forest service of illegal dump sites, call 1-800-750-9777. Illegal dump sites can still be added to the list.

The Maine Forest Service will supply trucks and trash bags to haul discarded materials to nearby transfer stations. Many of those transfer stations have offered to waive fees for these materials, Currier said.

The MFS Incident Management Team, under the Maine Department of Conservation, is organizing the event.

Forest rangers will work with the Small Woodland Owners Association of Maine, Maine Snowmobile Association and the Landowners Relations Program under the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

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