A Lake Cowichan man is unhappy with the excessive garbage being dumped along a local part of the Trans-Canada Trail.
Thor Repstock, who works extensively at the curling rink in town, stated a variety of household items are being scattered along the trail.
“There’s mattresses, chairs, roofing materials, old vacuum cleaners, indoor and outdoor carpets, all that kind of stuff,” he said. “These are things that could be disposed of at a minimal fee. It’s a disturbing trend.”
Repstock regularly walks his dog along the trail and states this particular segment of it is well-used and popular for the likes of cyclists, horseback riders and hikers.
“I’m not sure what people’s mindset is leaving that in people’s backyards and in the bush. People think it’s acceptable and it’s a shame. I wonder if people have any care these days.”
Repstock believes this type of behaviour is one that should be educated against, starting with the younger generation.
“Education should be part of it. Then maybe the kids can come home and shame their parents.”
Repstock also claimed that the area where the garbage is being dropped is actually crown land so could easily be closed off by the Ministry of Forests based in Cobble Hill.
He is worried it will give a bad image of the Cowichan Lake area.
“If we get people coming from the outside and they see this, that’s not an image we want them to be going away with or else they won’t come back.”