The Great Norris Lake cleanup returns
Round two
Some of the volunteers from the University of Tennessee who participated in last Friday’s cleanup effort at Norris Lake stand in front of some of the trash collected during the event.
More volunteers will be out in mid-September to continue those efforts.
There were 15 volunteers on hand from the University of Tennessee who joined the Norris Lake Project Team to conduct the first of the two fall cleanup events for the lake.
Wells said the group worked along the shoreline of Norris Dam State Park from Norris Dam to Sequoyah Marina, and around the TWRA boat launch at Macedonia.
Still to come: The Norris Lake Project Team will conduct its 13th Annual Fall Five County Norris Lake Cleanup in Anderson, Campbell, Claiborne, Union and Grainger counties on Saturday, Sept. 17, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
There will be three launch sites, Wells said, including Blue Mud Public Boat Launch at Big Ridge State Park, the public boat launch at Loyston Point, and Sugar Hollow Marina in Campbell County.
She said there will be boats available to shuttle volunteers to and from the cleanup sites that are not accessible by land.
There will be some barges available to transfer the collected trash back to shore. But Wells said volunteers “are welcome to bring their own boats.”
She added that all volunteers are encouraged to wear appropriate shoes -- preferably boots -- and to wear gloves and life jackets.
Those interested in volunteering for the Sept. 17 event may visit norrislakeproject.com to register online and get more information. Volunteers may also register the morning of the cleanup.
Wells said minors must be accompanied by an adult and have a registration and release form signed by a parent. Would-be participants may also call 865-457-4547 or email info@norrislakeproject.com for more information.
The Norris Lake Project Team is a 501(c3) charitable organization dedicated to preserving the natural beauty and conserving the natural resources of the Norris Lake Watershed area.
Managing partners are the Anderson County Tourism Council, Campbell County Chamber of Commerce, Union County Chamber of Commerce, Claiborne County Mayor’s Office, Middle East Tennessee Tourism Council, Tennessee Valley Authority, Norris Dam State Park, Big Ridge State Park, Anderson County Litter Grant, and Campbell County Litter Control.
“We have seen a lot of improvement over the years,” Wells said after the March cleanup. “I think people are getting more educated. We’re cleaning up areas that have been a problem for years, and I think litter begets litter. If people don’t see litter, they are less likely to drop theirs.”