The link below is to a newspaper article from Whittier, California where the city is frustrated that Union Pacific has not cleaned up trash and junk that is on UP property, but deposited there by area “citizens”. Whittier says it is not their property so they should not be responsible for cleaning it up. UP is just not answering the requests from Whittier.
Good for UP! Can you imagine your next door neighbor using your back yard as a trash dump and then complaining that you are not cleaning it up? I know the question of “who is supposed to do what” on railroad right-of-way that runs through municipalities can be a dicey one, but this particular instance seems pretty cut and dried to me. If UP cleans up the mess, it is providing trash pick up for the city at no charge. The next day, another jerk will dump more tra***here.
Unfortunately, the burden would still likely be on the land owner.
One “cop out” solution that some municipalities will use is the old:
“Well, If people are dumping trash on your lot, get a permit and build a fence around it.” And in UP’s case along with other Class 1 railroads, the public’s perception is that railroads are “Money Buckets”.
If push comes to shove and lawyers get involved, the results may wind up with costs being shared.
wow
we had a neighboorhood buissness that had their trash blow in our yard.took alot of prompting but they finally cleaned up their act. unfortuneately rr’s are looked at as trash dumps because of their remote locations.
stay safe
Joe
H’mm they say one man’s garbage is another man’s gold so maybe the city should allow their citizens to clean up the trash & keep whatever treasure they may find.
The line about the truck of scrap trying to dump is pretty telling. I’d like to know more about that “entrance to the ROW that is used by several businesses.” Let UP fence that off and listen to them holler!
I find it hard to beleive that a truck full of “scrap metal” would choose to dump it as garbage along the tracks. I work for a metal recycling business, and right now we are paying $50/ton for generic scrap (sheet iron), which is our cheapest commodity. Non-ferrous metals are paying upwards of $1/pound.
I always thought it would be a good idea for cities to offer free big garbage dumpsters at various locations throughout their area; better than having people just dump anywhere (but usually next to the tracks). People would just bring their tra***o the dumpsters (if they were conveniently placed), saving the city the cost of clean up or having to pick it up at the originating site. A small price to pay to help keep the city clean.
If these store owners are so concerned, why don’t THEY do something about it.
Have they ever heard the saying “if your not a part of the solution you are a part of the problem” ???[B)]
Why doesnt UP see if GM can come up with a “RailRoad” sweep. I dont think UP is
a bad company, I just think some of their leaders are evil minded & only focused on
money. Money can be the root of evil !