STRONG — The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and the Maine Forest Service hosted a statewide clean-up event Sunday, Sept. 9. The annual effort was an opportunity to help private landowners who allow recreational access on their property.

“What this comes down to is continued access to recreate on Maine’s private land. Access to fishing and hunting, and access to recreational trails. It all rolls into the economy,” said Maine Warden Service Sgt. Scott Thrasher.

Approximately 95 percent of land in Maine is under private ownership, he said.

On Sunday, wardens collected debris from locations throughout Franklin County. They transported the trash to Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Region D office, 689 Farmington Road, for disposal.

Thrasher, and Wardens Kris MacCabe and Dan Christianson filled a 30-yard collection container with discarded furniture, metal scraps and other trash. They also collected tires, which they piled high beside the roll-off container.

“Today is the day we do the big dump site here but this really is a year-round effort,” said MacCabe.

He said wardens were part of a recent cleanup effort on private property in Temple, which involved an abandoned 34-foot camper surrounded by trash and debris.  MacCabe said 12.7 tons of debris had been removed from the area.

MacCabe urged landowners to contact game wardens if they are having issues so they can be addressed.

“A lot of times, we just don’t know there is an issue,” MacCabe said.

Thrasher noted the landowner appreciation effort was working. Places that used to be common dumping grounds have been cleaned up.

“We’ve always said this is a once a year project, but every day we go to work we are working on relationships with landowners,” Thrasher noted.

To reach a Game Warden 24-hours a day, please contact the Augusta dispatch center at 1-800-452-4664.

 dmenear@thefranklinjournal.com