Local streams in the vicinity of the East Jackson Park in Nicholson are cleaner this week after 41 volunteers removed litter and debris in the local effort of Rivers Alive on Saturday, Oct. 6.
Under the Adopt A Stream Program, Jackson County participated in a cleanup last spring of the Mulberry River, but it’s a relatively new event for eastern Jackson County, explained Roy McHaney, Jackson County’s senior development inspector.
Keep Jackson County Beautiful and the county Public Development Office coordinated the event staged from the park.
Volunteers picked up litter in two un-named streams, along a quarter mile of roadside near one of the streams and in the East Jackson Park’s stormwater retention pond — which drains ultimately into the North Oconee River.
“This was our first time on the east side,” McHaney pointed out. “We had one in April, a joint venture with Braselton and Barrow County. We had like 55 volunteers, so having 41 solely for Jackson County, I was very pleased with that.”
The volunteers, which included a number of county staff, Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts from Commerce and “a lot of ordinary citizens concerned about the environment. It’s great to see there is interest on the east side of the county as there is on the west.”
McHaney briefed the group before turning them loose. Referring to the streams, he observed, “Being
adjacent to the park, you know there are Styrofoam cups, cans, candy wrappers and all kinds of trash.”
The areas were prepped to some degree by cutting down undergrowth to allow access.
He also warned the group about snakes.
“If you see one, please don’t try to pick it up,” he advised.
Volunteers removed 28 bags of trash plus a number of tires, an old gas can and an old tricycle, McHaney reported.
McHaney expressed gratitude for the help rendered by Jackson County staff.
“The support from staff — that’s what really impressed me a lot,” he said.
On Saturday, Oct. 27, Jackson County will again undertake a Mulberry River cleanup in conjunction with Barrow County and Braselton. Volunteers will gather at the Braselton Municipal Building at 9 a.m. The event will conclude by 2 p.m.
