OCEAN CITY – Delmarva Power will partner with environmental, governmental and business organizations throughout the region to support the 29th Annual Coastal Cleanup this year. The effort aims to remove trash from beaches and riverbanks in Delaware, Maryland and New Jersey.
Volunteers are needed to clean up 71 locations. Most cleanups will occur on Saturday, Sept. 19, while others will take place on other dates in September and October. Each participant will receive an original Coastal Cleanup T-shirt (while supplies last), courtesy of Delmarva Power and the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.
“Unfortunately, some people who visit our region’s beaches and rivers over the summer leave behind a lot of trash,” Delmarva Power spokesman Matt Likovich said during a Coastal Cleanup kickoff news conference last week in Ocean City. “Add that to the debris that washes ashore and you have the potential for serious pollution. Delmarva Power is proud to sponsor Coastal Cleanup for 25 consecutive years because it reflects the kind of environmental stewardship that is central to our business.”
Delaware will include recycling as part of the cleanup with volunteers separating trash from recyclables.
In last year’s cleanup, approximately 2,300 volunteers collected an estimated 17,000 pounds of trash. Unusual items collected included a windshield wiper, paint brush, flashlight, toilet seat, television, car fender and chopsticks. Typical items found included cigar and cigarette butts, beverage containers, plastic bags and balloons with attached strings or ribbons. Balloons, strings and ribbons pose a serious health threat to animals and aquatic life that can mistake balloons for food and become entangled in the strings and ribbons.
Coastal Cleanup is part of International Coastal Cleanup, sponsored by Ocean Conservancy, an organization that works to protect the world’s oceans. The types and quantities of trash collected will be itemized on data cards and forwarded to the Center for Marine Conservation. The information will be used to identify the source of debris as well as explore ways to reduce or eliminate litter.
In Delaware, there will be 51 sites and it will take place on Sept. 19. Contact person is Joanna Wilson at 302-739-9902.
In Maryland, there are 18 sites. The closest sites are as follows with cleanup leader and contact information listed for volunteers:
•Beaverdam Creek, Salisbury, 9 a.m., Sept. 12, Mary Seeman, 410-860-6880.
•Janes Island State Park, Crisfield, 8:30 a.m., Sept. 19, Ranger John Somers, 410-968-1565.
•Assateague Island, 8:30 a.m., Sept. 19, Matt Heim, 410-629-1538.
•Ocean City, 9 a.m., Sept. 19, Gail Blazer, 410-289-8221, or Sandi Smith, 410-213-2297.
•Nanticoke River, Roaring Point Park, 9 a.m., Sept. 19, Eugene Williams, 410-548-2062.
•Tred Avon River, Easton, 9 a.m., Sept. 19, Geri Schlenoff, icc.baltimore@gmail.com
•Bill Burton Fishing Pier, Cambridge, 9 a.m., Sept. 19, contact Schlenoff.
•Neavitt Landing, St. Michaels, 9 a.m., Sept. 19, contact Schlenoff.
•Terrapin Park, Stevensonville, 9 a.m., Sept. 19, contact Schlenoff.
•George Island Landing, Truitt’s Landing, Girdletree, 9 a.m., Sept. 20, Kim Klump, 410-726-3090.
•Nasswango Creek, Snow Hill, 9 a.m., Sept. 26, Joe Fehrer, Jr., 410-430-1743.
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