An Environmental Law Enforcement Workshop was held in Mansfield Friday, as the Ohio E-P-A and Keep Ohio Beautiful go around the state to educate local officials about preventing litter and illegal dumping.

About three dozen officials from Richland and surrounding counties, including those from law enforcement, public health, and litter prevention, gathered for the six-hour session at the Longview Center.

Terrie TerMeer, an assistant chief for the Ohio EPA and Keep Ohio Beautiful board member, says the discussion focused on illegal tire and scrap metal dumping, and the clean-up of toxic materials used in meth labs. 

TerMeer says illegal tire dumping is not only unsightly, but unhealthy because they breed mosquitoes which can spread West Nile Virus.

The Ohio EPA has grant money to help local agencies pay for litter and dumping prevention and prosecution activities.