Norris Lake spring cleanup planned for March 22-23; team seeks volunteers
Volunteers for a previous Norris Lake spring cleanup event carry bags of trash collected along the lake’s banks from a boat at the dock at Anderson County Park. (photo:G. Chambers Williams III )
That’s what’s happening the weekend of March 22-23, as the Norris Lake Project Team gathers its resources for the annual spring cleanup.
The team is now volunteers “to lend a helping hand in the Semi-Annual Five County Norris Lake Cleanup, spanning Anderson, Campbell, Claiborne, Union, and Grainger Counties,” a public announcement said.
Cleanup efforts are scheduled for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 22, and from 2 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday, March 23.
“This event aims to preserve the natural beauty and conserve the resources of the Norris Lake Watershed area,” the group said.
Work will be based at three locations on March 22: Anderson County Park, Flat Hollow Marina and Hickory Star Marina. On March 23, the work will be based at Beach Island Marina.
Boats will be available to take volunteers to and from designated cleanup areas that are inaccessible by land. Barges will be used to bring collected trash back to shore.
Volunteers with boats are encouraged to bring them to assist in the efforts, the group said.
All volunteers are expected to wear suitable footwear, preferably boots, and they are encouraged to bring gloves and life jackets, especially for youth participants. Minors are welcome, but must be accompanied by an adult, and are required to have a registration and release form signed by a parent.
To register as a volunteer, visit the website norrislakeproject.com/upcoming-cleanups/. Registration can also be completed on-site on the day of the cleanups.
According to its website, the Norris Lake Project Team is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to preserving the natural beauty and conserving the resources of the Norris Lake Watershed area.
“Working in collaboration with local governments, the team aims to combat the deterioration of natural resources in the surrounding communities,” the posting notes.
Managing partners include 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.
Coordinator Stephanie Wells, director of Adventure Anderson County, said the group has been conducting the annual cleanups for more than 12 years, with the litter-clearing efforts spanning all of the counties along Norris Lake.
“We usually have 100 to 150 participants now,” she said last year. “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.”
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.”
