Posted at: 08/15/2009 1:54 PM
By: The Associated Press
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State awards funds to clean up tire dumps
SANTA FE (AP) - The state Environment Department has awarded funds to help five New Mexico counties clean up illegal tire dumps and recycle the rubber.
Nearly $435,000 in grants were recently awarded to Estancia Valley Solid Waste Authority, Northwestern New Mexico Regional Solid Waste Authority, North Central Solid Waste Authority, Socorro County and Taos County.
Environment Secretary Ron Curry said illegal tire dumps can contribute to the spread of fires and create breeding grounds for diseases like West Nile virus and hantavirus.
Estancia Valley Solid Waste Authority will use its grant to host amnesty days at several locations in Bernalillo, Torrance, and Santa Fe counties to collect old tires.
The tires will be shipped off, shredded and returned for use as an alternative cover at the Torrance County Landfill.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
