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Polk commissioners approve proclamation for Spring Litter Sweep in April

POLK COUNTY—Local residents can help beautify Polk County by being a part of April’s Spring Litter Sweep. 

The Polk County Board of Commissioners met Monday and approved a proclamation designating April as Spring Litter Sweep month. 

There are several opportunities locally already planned for the statewide Litter Sweep, which is April 10-24. 

The North Carolina Department of Transportation designates the last 2 weeks of April and September as a statewide roadside litter removal initiative.

During these initiatives, local NCDOT offices provide volunteers with clean up supplies, including trash bags, gloves and orange safety vests. 

To receive these products in Polk County, residents can call the local NCDOT office in Columbus at 828-894-8980. 

On Saturday, April10, MountainTrue is holding a socially distance clean up at Lake Adger and the Green River in Polk County. 

The Lake Adger Spring Cleaning will be from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, April 10 starting at the Lake Adger Boat Ramp. Volunteers will be asked to wear masks in parking lots and keep a distance of 6 feet from others. Trash collected can be dropped off no later than 5 p.m. at the North Carolina Wildlife dump truck parked at the Lake Adger Marina. More information about the Lake Adger clean up can be found at https://mountaintrue.org/event/socially-distant-lake-adger-spring-cleaning/.

Volunteers can also join MountainTrue’s Green Riverkeeper and Liquidlogic co-founder Shane Benedict at the 11th annual Green River Spring Cleaning from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, April 10. Volunteers can meet at the Fishtop Access, located at 2302 Green River Cove Rd., Saluda. Social distancing and masks will be maintained and people are asked to avoid paddling in large groups and shuttling with household groups. Trash will be able to be disposed of in a dumpster at Fishtop. 

To learn more about the Green River Spring Clean up people can visit 

https://mountaintrue.org/event/socially-distant-green-river-spring-cleaning/.

The Town of Columbus and Discover Columbus is also sponsoring a “Columbus Proud” Litter Awareness Month, which will kick off on April 3. 

“Columbus Proud” Litter Awareness Month is designed to raise awareness about litter and to help people get their neighborhoods and public areas clean after the winter. 

Conserving Carolina is participating with the town and GFL Environmental is also participating by providing green containers to collect bags collected. 

The town is offering opportunities for families, churches, clubs, schools, businesses and other organizations to collect litter along their neighborhood streets during the month of April. For more information or to get supplies, people can contact Columbus Town Hall at 828-894-8236 ext. 1002. 

North Carolina has a year-round Swat-A-Litterbug Program, which encourages people to report anyone who litters. People can report anyone who litters by calling 800-331-5864. 

 

Following is the proclamation the Polk County Board of Commissioners approved on Monday: 

Whereas, Polk County is rich in beauty and natural resources; and

Whereas, the Board of Commissioners of Polk County strive to improve the quality of life in our community through enhanced awareness, education and public/private partnerships, working together on projects that keep our environment clean and free of debris, beautify our neighborhoods and public spaces, and instill pride and a sense of ownership in our community; and

Whereas, Polk County citizens realize a cleanup effort is needed to display respect for our community, ourselves, our visitors, and our businesses; and

Whereas, all residents of Polk County have a citizenship responsibility to protect and care for the magnificent landscape, and natural resources of Polk County, and are encouraged to participate in the areas of litter prevention, waste reduction, recycling, and beautification; and

Whereas, the Spring Litter Cleanup will be a part of educating children of the importance of a clean environment, and will encourage all citizens, civic, and professional groups, to take an active role ensuring litter free communities in Polk County; and

Whereas, the Town of Columbus has designated the month of April as Proud Litter

Awareness Month, and the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has designated April 10-24, 2021 as their statewide roadside litter removal initiative known as LITTER SWEEP, and April 10, 2021 will be the Green River and Lake Adger Spring Clean Up Day, a community event organized by MountainTrue with work provided by volunteers of the community.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED that the Polk County Board of Commissioners declares April 2021 as “SPRING LITTER CLEANUP MONTH” in Polk County, North Carolina.

Adopted this the 29TH day of March, 2021.