On Oct. 26, twenty-five volunteers contributed a few hours of their time to clean up the beautiful Green River.
Their efforts were part of the 2013 NC Big Sweep, a statewide effort to remove litter and debris from waterways and beaches. This was the second Polk County Big Sweep effort this year, as 33 citizens cleaned up Lake Adger shores on Oct. 3.
The combined effort removed an estimated 1,040 pounds of trash and 300 pounds of recyclable material.
On and along the Green River, volunteers included Polk County High School Green Team members Rhian Alley, Sammie Haase, Emily Kocher, Jessa Jackson, Price Marshall, Chaitanya Patel, Madi Siegfried and Leah Stockdale. Green Team Director Lindsey Edwards, with Ethan Edwards and Gail Stockdale, assisted the group. Representatives of the Pisgah Chapter of Trout Unlimited included Lisa Alston, Carole Deddy, Alan Frank, Harry Hunkele, Harry Luellen, Norris McDowell and Linda and Mark Byington. Other volunteers included Joe Cooper, Linda and Chris Greensfelder, as well as Christy, Steven and Reid Houser of Wilderness Cove Campground. The overall effort was bolstered by the use of a large trailer, generously loaned by Tim and Sara Bell of Green River Adventures in Saluda.
Clean water starts at the top, and these efforts go a long way to improving the quality of downstream rivers which supply drinking water to many North and South Carolina communities.
As more and more tourists are discovering the beauty of our area, it is economically important that they are not turned away by trash lined roads and waterways.
– article submitted
by Mark Byington