SPRUCING UP
Norris Lake cleanup events planned for March 25-26
When people don’t have their mothers to follow behind them to clean up their messes, sometimes volunteers with a sense of civic pride step into that role.
That’s what’s happening the weekend of March 25 as the Norris Lake Project gathers its resources for the annual lake cleanup on Friday and Saturday of that weekend.
Coordinator Stephanie Wells, director of Adventure Anderson County, said the group has been conducting the annual cleanups for more than 10 years, with the litter-clearing efforts spanning five counties along Norris Lake.
“We usually have 100 to 150 participants now,” she said. “It’s grown so much. We concentrate on one weekend. We also have some marinas and homeowner associations along the lake to conduct their own cleanups either the weekend before or after our events.”
Late March is considered the prime time to conduct the cleanups because the lake is usually still down at its winter level, Wells said.
“We try to get on the water before the water level starts going up,” she said. “A lot of this stuff is on the banks, and we want to get it before the level goes up so we can keep it from going back into the water.”
On Friday, March 25, a group from the University of Tennessee will begin the cleanup by “launching from Norris Dam State Park at the Cove Creek Site B Ramp, also known as the TWRA ramp off of Oak Grove Road,” Wells said. “Please note that volunteers will be hiking along the trail and picking up garbage.”
They will begin at 3 p.m. and stay out until 5 p.m.
Then on Saturday, March 26, there will be volunteer crews starting out at 9 a.m. from four locations, in Anderson, Campbell and Union counties, with the Anderson County Park being the starting point in Anderson County, Wells said. That effort will last until 1 p.m.
Wells said some of the trash and debris on the lake and its banks is there accidentally, but much of it comes from intentional littering.
“Some of comes off of boats, some Styrofoam comes off docks in the winter,” she said. “Some of the trash floats down from upstream. We do some programs to educate about avoiding their intentional littering.”
The group also runs a cleanup in the fall on the islands in the lake, Wells said.
“People camp on the islands during the summer, then leave their trash, tents, or whatever they’ve constructed when they leave. We preach ‘leave no trace’ practices.
“We have seen a lot of improvement over the years,” she said. “Sometimes once we do a cleanup, it deters people from doing it again. Often, trash begets more trash.”
All of the affected counties offer landfills and convenience centers for people to dispose of refuse, Wells said. “All you have to do is drive to it.”
The other locations for the March 26 efforts also run from 9 a.m.. to 1 p.m., and will launch from:
Indian River Marina in Campbell County.
Beach Island Marina in Union County.
And Hickory Star Marina in Union County.
A week later, on Saturday, April 2, the annual Norris Watershed Cleanup will take place from 9 a.m. to noon, starting from the Norris water plant on Lower Clear Creek Road, said Dennis Yankee, who is coordinating the event for the Norris Watershed Board.
“We will meet at the [Norris water] pumphouse,” he said. “Gloves, bag and pickup tools will be provided, and there will be a pizza lunch following the event for our volunteers at the Lions Club Pavilion in Norris,” Yankee said.
The Norris Watershed cleanup will include members of Norris Boy Scout Troop 73, of which Yankee is assistant scoutmaster, and Girl Scout Troop 705. Volunteers are still needed, however, and may contact Yankee at dhyankee@gmail.com to register.
Wells said anyone wanting to join the Norris Lake Cleanup may register at the website norrislakeproject.org, by email at info@norrislakeproject.com, or by calling 865-457-4547.
“Volunteers will be cleaning up the lakeshore near the launch points and on nearby islands,” according to the website. “Boat transportation will be provided, but if you a have boat, you are welcome to bring it. You are also encouraged to bring a life jacket if you have one.
“Bags will be provided by the Tennessee Valley Authority at all of the locations. Participants are encouraged to bring gloves and wear tennis shoes, boots or other shoes with tread. The lake banks will be muddy so please wear appropriate footwear. Each participant will receive a free T-shirt.”
On that website, the group notes that “the Norris Lake Project Team can only assist and commit funds to cleanups that are planned and managed by the team. We will no longer be able to assist in disposing of garbage, Styrofoam, tires or other debris without prior written notice and approval of such cleanup activities.
“If you are conducting unauthorized cleanups, depositing debris on public or private boat ramps without prior approval, or trespassing on private property without the property owner’s permission to retrieve debris, you could be subject to fines and prosecution.”
The website also notes:
“The Norris Lake Project is a 501(c3) charitable organization organized to preserve the natural beauty and conserve the natural resources of the Norris Lake Watershed area for the benefit of the residents and visitors to the area, while assisting the local governments combat the deterioration of natural resources in the surrounding communities.”