Chris Lowrey
TNO Nov. 23, 2017
The remnants of another camping season in the books were on full display on Nov. 23 when MRC Pontiac staff were on site to clean the area.
MRC Pontiac staff collected more than one and-a-half tons of refuse from the beach at Dumont Lake.
Among the items found on the beach were beer cans, footwear, dozens of propane tanks and even the hood of a car.
In fact, according to MRC Pontiac Environmental Coordinator Thierry Raimbault, staff found between 40 and 50 propane tanks left over from campers using miniature table-top grills.
Other items left on the beach include: a couch frame, the hood and door of a car, camping chairs, bathing suits and empty bottles.

The campsite is frequently used throughout the summer since there is no charge because it’s public land.
Raimbault said there are no plans to implement a fee for campers or to have an employee monitor the site.
He also said that most, if not all, of the garbage left at the site are from campers, and not local residents dumping garbage.
Raimbault suspects the car hood found on the beach was used as a makeshift tube for some campers who wanted to engage in low-budget watersports. He said the hood can be pulled behind an ATV in shallow waters.
Not only does this present safety issues, but it also presents environmental challenges.
Raimbault said that the use of trucks and ATV’s on the beach causes erosion and damages the campsite.
As a result, the MRC has decided to close the trail leading to the site as a precaution in order to keep vehicles out.
Although the area will still be accessible by boat, the hope is that by limiting the vehicle traffic, less garbage will be left behind next year.
Raimbault estimated that the trail leading to the site is about 1 km in length, leaving beachgoers with a substantial walk to get to the swimming hole.
Raimbault has a simple message for those responsible for the mess: If you can bring it to the beach, you can bring it home, so pick up your garbage.