Sugar Creek Watershed Cleanup Day = 2.13 Tons of Success!
The Sugar Creek Watershed Project has begun to strive for a clean and litter-free watershed. Our Clean Up day last Saturday, November 8 was very successful and we focused on roadside, river bank trash removal, as well as efforts to remove large junk items.  We had 36 sites that we wanted to reach – but do to the amount of trash we found and the time available we were only able to reach 10 sites. A lot more work yet to do…Taking out 2.13 Tons of trash, out of our water resources; just to let you know that 2.13 Tons = 4,260 lbs of Trash.  

Items removed are….16 tires- many size, 2 car doors, sheet metal, lawnmower, TV, manhole cover, car parts, truck tailgate, cement fish pond/bird bath, toilet, 27 bags of trash (30 gallon size), buckets, trash containers, discarded bushes, 2 bicycles, 3 truck rims, 5 car rims, 2 tractor rims, many boards, a 2 axle trailer with tires, large yard sign, gates, cattle grades, metal dog kennel, chair, truck seat, cushions from vehicles, 3 spools of rolled wire, dryer tub, rake, bucket of cement, diesel containers, gas drum, election signs, pink winter ski jacket, jeans – many pairs, cash register, wire fencing, rolled metal mesh, propane container, sleeping bag, dozens of fence posts, rolled and separate barbed wire, 5 discarded rolled erosion control mesh, hot water heater tank, motorcycle frame, lamp, garbage can, used shotgun shells, unused shotgun shells, trot-line with fish hooks attached, shredded tarps, 3 pairs of shoes, 1 pair of sandals, container of windshield wiper fluid. (We think there is more….just can’t remember everything)

ITEMS unable to remove at this time: engine block, vehicle axle, Fiberglass trunk,  LARGE Rolled carpet, buried cars or parts of cars - unsure, large watering tank
 

Items removed and will be sorted and recycled. THANK YOU TO:

Ø    Clean-Up Crew: Laura James-Reim, Heinz Reim, Joe Lee, Ryan Lee, Ed Belmonte, Diane Day, Wally Levernier, Cindy Newkirk, Alice Bogemann, Scott Brejcha, Jeremiah Hodgkin, Maria Dicken, Terry Dicken.

Ø     Hancock County Fairgrounds for use of their grounds for the dumpster.

Ø     Republic Services for assisting and getting the dumpster to the site for us.

Everything ran very smoothly and all work from Crew is GREATLY appreciated; looking forward to more Clean-Up Days in the Spring.

Why we need to protect and clean our water resources: All humans have the basic need for clean water, water to drink. People also want clean water for recreation, such as swimming, boating, and fishing. Also, clean water and habitat are necessary to protect the animals and the fish that rely on lakes, rivers, and wetlands for food, shelter, and a place to live.

Landowners along Sugar Creek, if you know of a site that needs cleaned up – give me a call. If you would like for us to be on your property – please call so that we can make arrangements. We weren’t able to reach every site this fall, but you will be added to the list. We plan on several CLEAN UP Days. Thank you all for assisting in this effort.

We can always need more volunteers! Interested and concerned persons who would like to participate in Sugar Creek trash clean-up efforts should contact the SWCD via email (cindy.newkirk@in.nacdnet.net) or by telephone (317-462-2283 Ext 3). 

Illegal dumping can be reported by calling the appropriate authorities and providing an automobile license plate number.  Citizens can call the Sheriff’s office at: 317-477-1147.

    Since December 18, 2007