Contractors seek help in desert cleanup efforts

Friday, March 16, 2001 | noon

Desert cleanup When: April 7, beginning at 8 a.m.

Where: A city-owned, 50-acre parcel bordered by Rampart Boulevard, Vegas and Durango drives and Washington Avenue.

Who: Associated General Contractors and volunteers.

Information: Call the AGC at 796-9986.

Reporting: To report illegal dumping, call (877) 293-8998.

Associated General Contractors is planning to clean up a swath of open desert in northwest Las Vegas. The Clark County trade group would like help from residents.

The organization is doing the cleanup for the seventh consecutive year. As in previous years the focus will be on discouraging illegal dumping of construction material, said Mandi Harding, AGC's cleanup coordinator.

"Dumping by unscrupulous construction companies gives members of the organization a black eye," Harding said.

Although the organization represents about 600 construction companies throughout the Las Vegas Valley, not every company is a member.

Some fly-by-night firms break the law by dumping on public property, she said.

After the cleanup, signs will go up encouraging people to report illegal dumping. Harding said the organization hopes to keep the property clean until the city or another agency dedicates the land for a specific purpose.

Harding said the cleanup effort would save taxpayers about $50,000, money that can go instead to parks, fire or police stations.

The AGC will provide lunch, gloves, trash bags and T-shirts for those who volunteer.