Energy & Environment

Galveston park officials investigating illegal dumping incidents

Officials say someone is leaving heaps of litter including housing construction debris and trash bags at Galveston Island State Park.

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Galveston Island State Park officials are investigating illegal dumping incidents.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department officials are asking park-goers for help after multiple incidents of littering in Galveston Island State Park.

Galveston Island State Park officials are investigating illegal dumping incidents.

Park rangers found park rangers found several construction trash bags containing tile debris in the state park on Sept. 6, the park announced on Facebook. A few days later, they found housing construction debris. The debris included wood planks, heaps of debris and black trash bags. They also requested any relevant information from the public.

Park law enforcement opened an investigation into the two incidents, according to Texas Parks and Wildlife.

It is an offense for any person to discard, deposit or dump garbage in a state park except for garbage generated inside the park, in a receptacle provided for that use or authorized by department personnel. Leaving no trace of visits to the park also helps the park maintain its beauty, according to the department.

Unlawful dumping is an offense charged by a Class A, B or C misdemeanor depending on the weight and size of litter. Littering is punishable with a felony if the debris weighs 1,000 pounds or more.