Catching those who throw their trash along rural roadways is difficult, if not next to impossible.

If the litter bugs aren’t caught red-handed, county or township officials are left cleaning up the garbage and getting rid of it.

A township official says he’s hoping offering “a little green” will yield some results.

“If they know there’s eyes out there watching them, they might not dispose of the junk,” says Sherwood Krosch, chairman of the Elmore Township board. “I have no doubt there is someone out there that knows who owns this couch.”

He says he’s willing to dig into his pockets and offer a small reward when he thinks it could help.

“Cleaning up the trash is left up to the landowners or township boards. We are all getting sick and tired of it,” he adds.

About two weeks ago, Krosch noticed a couch tossed in a ditch along 40th Street in his township. That’s when he came up with the idea of taking a picture of the couch and offering money to anyone providing information leading to its owner.

“I would give $50 if we could nail down who it belongs to,” he says. “I just want to prosecute those responsible.”

At the township’s annual meeting Tuesday the issue of came up.

Krosch says one person attending the meeting was disgusted that people are trashing some of the most beautiful areas in the county.

County commissioners have acknowledged the problem and have discussed the matter with township officials.

Krosch is trying to figure out the best way to get photos of the trash out before the public.

Commissioner Tom Loveall says the problem has been a “pet peeve” of his. He says posting photos on the county’s website might be one way to help catch the litter bugs.

“We certainly would listen to what they (township officials) have to say and try to craft a plan,” says Loveall. “I don’t know why we wouldn’t be able to put them on the website.”

Krosch says in the past Commissioner Barb Steier has helped him dispose of computers and screens found in ditches.

“They are trying to do their best and help us as much as they can,” he adds.

Steier, commissioner of District 1 which includes Elmore Township, also attended the annual meeting and says the county will offer Sentence to Serve crews when they are able to clean up the rubbish.

County authorities also are doing their part to catch and hold those responsible.

Last October, a Blue Earth man was charged under the state’s littering law with a misdemeanor for dumping a freezer and refrigerator along a gravel road in Jo Daviess Township. He was fined $277 and removed the appliances.