Hi everyone, I wanted to update you all about the trash situation on the AT near US19E. As usual it continues and only gets worse. I have took it upon myself to do some investigating and know have a good idea as to who is trashing the trail. I still have had very little support from any government group or trail org. I started by picking up the bags of trash daily. This seemed to only make the perpetrator even more determined to litter our trail. Now this person is not only throwing house hold trash but is including used hypodermic needles. These needles have only appeared since I started cleaning the trail. The use of bio-hazard material to scare hikers and those who would maintain the trail , in my mind, this is an attempt to discourage people from removing the trash by threat of contracting some illness . Since the trail is considered a national treasure(located on public land) and used hypodermic needles pose a biological hazard , doesn't this constitute a biological terror attack upon our nation . Where is the Patriot Act now?More people walk the trail than visit or work at the pentagon or the world trade center. Imagine the head lines "Hiker dies from AIDS contracted on AT"/ Hiker steps on dirty needle and contracts hepatitis while walking the AT".Hell of a story to tell your children around the camp fire.Is this what it will take to get the government's attention? I want to see some action taken to establish a chain of evidence against this person, so as to be able to charge him with more than just littering(with its' stupid little $50 fine). Let's stop talking about what we could do and make an example of this redneck SOB.I'm sure that the section of trail near me isn't the only trouble spot but we've got to start somewhere.Please pass this letter on to anyone who can make something happen.Please E mail me with your comments and ideas.Let's work together so AT wont mean Always Trashed!!!!
yours,
Geoffrey Morris