In a few weeks, on June 5, we'll observe World Environment Day.

It's celebrated every year to raise global awareness and to take positive environmental action to protect nature.In some ways, local residents are ahead of the game.They're not waiting for a specific day to protect their surroundings.There are several initiatives underway in our area that underscore the sense of environmental concern and urgency.Some residents of West Penn Township, for example, have filed a lawsuit against water extraction operations.About 30 residents living near a pair of extraction sites claim it's a major nuisance to what otherwise is a good quality of life in eastern Schuylkill County."Here's an area that was once tranquil, a beautiful place to live, and it's turned into essentially a truck stop," said their attorney, John E. Kotsatos of Easton.In Carbon County, there's a proposal for wind turbines that's ruffling feathers and threatening to disturb an all-natural setting, say residents.Construction of so-called windmills would involve scarring wilderness with not only towers 500 feet high, visible for miles, but also a permanent access road cut through what is now rich, undisturbed forest."As a lifelong resident of Carbon County, I am opposed to the possibility of wind turbines tarnishing our beautiful landscape. I understand the need for alternative energy, but building 40 windmills along our horizon, nestled within the tourism-dependent Pocono region, is not the answer," said Rep. Doyle Heffley, R-Carbon.On top of that, the proposed wind farm in Penn Forest Township would negatively impact property values, claim others, including at least one veteran realty professional who raised the issue at a recent meeting.Finally, Jim Thorpe area volunteers took environmental matters into their own hands last week when the group removed 175 tires from hard-to-reach areas along the venerable Switchback Trail.The tires were an eyesore and served no purpose but to mar the beauty of the trail area, a well-known tourist attraction, recreation venue, and source of pride in the region.Maureen Sterner, borough manager, said the tires had been dumped over a long period of time and were discovered in an area surrounded by steep slopes. In fact, volunteers had to use cables to hoist the tires into position to be loaded onto trucks.The Jim Thorpe cleanup augmented a recycling program for borough residents. To discourage more illegal dumping, the borough is promising to increase penalties. This crackdown is a positive move.In fact, all of the above mentioned action by local residents can be viewed as good news.After all, we see too many instances of illegal dumping and industrial intrusion into the attractive terrain that defines our region.It's good to know there are many who won't sit back and let the beauty of our mountains and valleys be destroyed.By Donald R. Serfass |

dserfass@tnonline.com