Up until the late 1960s most Americans didn't seem to "give a hoot" about roadside pollution. At least there were no organized federal or state programs that took an activist view toward stopping it. Then came Lady Bird Johnson, wife of President Lyndon B., who encouraged Americans to clean up the roadside, their yards, and the countryside. Plant flowers and trees, she said, as she actively campaigned to dismantle those awful roadside billboards.
The first piece of major federal legislation addressing illegal dumping and litter was signed by President Johnson on Oct. 22, 1965. The Highway Beautification Act was the first step in America's ongoing campaign to clean up its major roadways. Today, programs like Adopt-A-Highway have gone a long way toward eliminating what President Johnson called "the blight of some of America's most expensive roadways."
No federal legislation specifically addresses illegal dumping in America's cities and towns or along rural roadways. The feds have rules in place that deal with the illegal disposal of toxic materials, but the problems associated with rural and urban roadside litter and illegal dumping of common household wastes remains a local issue (City of Spokane website).
Arguably, America's illegal dumping problem is getting worse. Also worthy of debate is whether or not other pieces of federal legislation, such as RCRA Subtitle D., have exacerbated the illegal dumping problem (United States Environmental Protection Agency, 86).
What is Illegal Dumping
Illegal dumping is the intentional dumping of solid waste on another person’s property without their knowledge or consent and includes littering along road right-of-ways. Illegally dumped wastes are primarily non hazardous materials that are dumped to avoid either disposal fees or the time and effort required for proper disposal. These materials typically include:
Construction and demolition waste such as drywall, roofing shingles, lumber, bricks, concrete....
