Dozens of old tires dumped into White Oak Creek tributary

By Rory Ryan
The Highland County Press

BUFORD – One of the more scenic areas of the White Oak watershed located in southwest Highland County was polluted sometime over the weekend by someone rolling as many as 38 old tires into an otherwise pristine branch of White Oak Creek.

Sicily Road property owner Clinton McClain pointed out the affected area this afternoon to The Highland County Press.

The North Fork of White Oak Creek is situated just beyond a small woods to the rear of McClain’s home in the 2100 block of Sicily Road in Clay Township.

“I discovered the tires Saturday (Nov. 8),” McClain said. “I have counted 38 of them.”

One of the tires was wind-blown upstream on Monday; however, McClain said he expects that the next heavy rain will move many of the tires downstream, creating more problems for aquatic life and the eventual removal of the tires.

He said he wants the tires removed as soon as possible. According to McClain, a spokesperson from the Highland County Sheriff’s Office told him to refer the matter to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

McClain said he thought the criminal acts of dumping the tires and possibly trespassing ought to be promptly investigated.

He has contacted the Ohio EPA as well as the HCSO.

The Highland County Press is seeking input from the EPA, the Highland County Sheriff’s Office and the Highland County Board of Commissioners.

Highland County Sheriff Richard Warner told The Highland County Press Tuesday his office would investigate a complaint of this nature due to it being illegal to dump tires or trash on another's property, especially in a water stream.

"We will take a report and talk with the neighbors to see if anyone saw this happening," Warner said. "Also, during the investigation we will contact EPA and Division of Wildlife to make sure the tires get removed from the water stream. I will be having an officer meet with Mr. McClain to initiate an investigation."