Norm Fred had accepted this assignment but he had something come up that he could not avoid
so Jim Heffner took it on and in a big way. Norm was going to do one site but Jim decided to do
three instead. One was the worst dumpsite site in Grand Traverse county.

Here is his report:

"Greetings Everyone,

We had a total success. I think 17 crew members - we totally cleaned-up three sites, finished by 12:22 PM
and totally filled the 20 yd dumpster – I accused Frank, the front end loader operator of packing it down
and bulging out the sides. Dwayne went back to Kalkaska and brought over the big fire dozer and
trenched the hell out of both sides of the old well site – so no future dumping. Dwayne said the 4wd folks
are in for a major surprise if they come back after dark! The DNR made three no dumping signs, which I
installed. We found a passport, a prescription bottle, and a library card. Suzie has those for, hopefully,
prosecution. Bob & Dave from DNR press were there and Mike Terrell from Northern Express was there.

Thanks for all your help in making this clean-up so successful. There were lots of smiling faces on very tired
volunteers, when we were standing around having an ice cold beer (not Frank or Dwayne the heavy equipment
operators - I owe you one) at the end. Bob, Dave, & Mike thought we would never finish it in one day, let alone
in just a morning.

What a great group of diverse volunteers, not to mention the names of two of the group that were over 70
and were like billy goats up and down the steep slope – way to go Maxie and Woody!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For those who were not there, we were dealing with dirty diapers that had been there for many, many
years – throwing them through the air to the dumpster. This was a clean-up for the “not, faint of heart”!!!!!!!!!!
We had air line pilots, car models for Audi from Austria, doctors, executives, union heavy equipment operators
that volunteered and some just trail grunts like me.

My sincere appreciation and thanks from the bottom of my heart for all of you that made this the most successful
(in my opinion) clean-up of a state/public forest ever!!!!!!!!!!!

Jim Heffner"

Here are all the photos from this project.

CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS

CLICK HERE FOR TICKER ARTICLE

CLICK HERE FOR DNR Report

And to Jim and his AMAZING CREW - JOB WELL DONE!!!!