BLM and partners kickoff Nevada County Tire Amnesty Week

EL DORADO HILLS, Calif. - Nevada County residents are invited to participate in the annual tire amnesty event starting Saturday, Oct. 19, through Thursday, Oct. 31, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily. Residents of Nevada County who have bald tires, flat donut replacements or worn-out snow studs can bring them to this event for free disposal. The Bureau of Land Management, Tahoe National Forest, Waste Management and Nevada County sponsor the event.

"We appreciate Nevada County residents participating to help reduce illegal dumping, which is a serious problem on America's public lands. This event is a positive, proactive approach to keep our communities and the environment clean and attractive for us all," says Mother Lode Field Manager Jeff Horn. "It is much easier to dispose of unwanted tires in this way, rather than the difficult task of pulling a heavy tire out of a steep ravine."

Tires are not accepted from businesses and no tractor or commercial tires or tires with rims are allowed. Please transport tires for disposal in trailers, pickup beds or in the vehicle's trunk, as personnel will not unload tires from the interior of a person's car. Individuals who wish to dispose of more than nine tires must request an exemption letter from the Nevada County Department of Environmental Health by calling 530-265-1469. Nevada County residents can dispose of up to nine tires at no cost at the following locations:

• Oct. 19: Bear River High School, 11130 Magnolia Rd, Grass Valley, CA 95949
• Oct. 28-29: Waste Management-McCourtney Road Transfer Station, 14741 Wolf Mountain Rd., Grass Valley, CA 95949
• Oct. 30: Penn Valley Community Rodeo Grounds (behind the fire station), 10513 Spenceville Rd., Penn Valley, CA 95946
• Oct. 31: Waste Management-North San Juan Transfer Station, 10125 Flume St., North San Juan, CA 95960

Healthy public lands produce vital natural resources for energy, food, water and shelter. As places of solitude and beauty, these lands also provide invaluable opportunities for recreation, conservation and renewal. Public lands also provide critical wildlife habitat for thousands of species.

Approximately 7,000 tires are turned in each year. Since 2012, the BLM has co-sponsored the event and has helped collect more than 63,000 tires for recycling. For more information, please call the Mother Lode Field Office at 916-941-3101.