Untitled Document

The old campsite filled with beer cans, blankets and food wrappers could have veen a place for someone to have a good time with friends. But, for volunteers of the Tanners Creek Cleanup, the spot in the woods underneath the US 50 bridge in Lawrenceburg was a reminder of how the thoughtless actions of others can lead to problems that last long after a night of fun has ended.

In three hours, 29 volunteers picked up more than 8 tons of trash at three sites along the creek, not counting tires, a refrigerator and other heavy items that were disposed of seperately, Saturday, June 9, said BJ Ault, director of the Dearborn County Solid Waste Management District.

The goal is to make the cleanup an annual event but Dearborn County residents may again pick up trash this fall during a Tri-State effort held by Creek Restoration in Kentucky, which helped with the Tanners Creek Cleanup, along with the Tanners Creek Steering Committee and Water Alliance for Vital Ecosystems, said Ault.

WAVES members Mona Mangold and Cynthia Merrill picked the sites the volunteers would clean up. Overall, the creek was cleaner than expected but some spots had so much trash that they were dangerous for volunteers, said Ault.

Volunteers were sent to three main sites, the US 50 underpass, Riverfront Community Park, and Tanners Creek boat ramp in Lawrenceburg, said Merrill.

The day began with sign-up at the boat ramp where workers were provided leather-palmed gloves and orange safety vests. Five members from Dearborn County Water Rescue joined the effort by picking up trash along the shore by boat, said Ault. High water hindered some of the work because getting too close to the creek was dangerous, she said.

Most of the trash consisted of cans, bottles and other typical items. But many tires were found, along with other items from a 50-gallon drum to a shopping cart, said steering committee member, Kris Streb, watershed coordinator for the Dearborn County Soil and Water Conservation District.

Because this was the first cleanup, it was a learning experience, she said. "Overall it was a success. We had a really good turnout," said Streb.

One reason the group was able to pick up the large amount of trash was the work of the Dearborn County Highway Department. Workers used a backhoe to pick up large items, including the refrigerator, water tank, and big tree limbs. The work was quicker, too because piles of trash could be carried away in larger amounts, said Merrill.

"We would not have been able to do a fraction of what we did without their help," she said.

Help was also provided by workers and a truck from the City of Lawrenceburg, said Ault.

The event provided a chance for people to become connected to their water source. People sometimes do not realize whatever is placed on the ground can find its way to the creek and sources of drinking water. Aquatic life, fish, recreation and the creek's appearance all are affected, said Merrill. "Everyone is part of the problem or the solution," she said. "It promotes awareness about pollution to people, and gives them a sense of doing something for the community," added Streb.

After the cleanup, participants returned to the boat ramp for lunch. Others, including Pizza Hut and Biggs, helped through donations. American Legion Post No. 230, Lawrenceburg, donated the use of tables and chairs, said Ault.

Residents can help keep the creek clean by properly disposing trash, said Streb. Residents also can become involved with efforts to keep the county clean through the steering committee. Meetings are from 7pm - 8:30pm, the second Tuesday of every month at the Dearborn County Hospital , 600 Wilson Creek Raod, Lawrenceburg.

Volunteers are needed for the technical, education, and water quality subcommittees, said Streb.

The technical members look at land use in the watershed, while educational members develop and distribute edcuational materials and coordinate field days. No one has been picked at this time to lead the education committee, said Streb.

The water quality subcommittee needs the most help. The steering committee was formed about a year ago to address growing environmental concerns, but volunteers already were testing water quality. Testing takes place one Saturday a month for about two to three hours, she said.

For more information about the Tanners Creek Steering Committee, contact watershed coodinator, Kris Streb at: 812-926-2406 ext. 107

		Longer Look - Cleaning up the Creek

Home Education Monitoring Technical Pictures	The old campsite filled with beer cans, blankets and food wrappers could have veen a place for someone to have a good time with friends. But, for volunteers of the Tanners Creek Cleanup, the spot in the woods underneath the US 50 bridge in Lawrenceburg was a reminder of how the thoughtless actions of others can lead to problems that last long after a night of fun has ended. In three hours, 29 volunteers picked up more than 8 tons of trash at three sites along the creek, not counting tires, a refrigerator and other heavy items that were disposed of seperately, Saturday, June 9, said BJ Ault, director of the Dearborn County Solid Waste Management District. The goal is to make the cleanup an annual event but Dearborn County residents may again pick up trash this fall during a Tri-State effort held by Creek Restoration in Kentucky, which helped with the Tanners Creek Cleanup, along with the Tanners Creek Steering Committee and Water Alliance for Vital Ecosystems, said Ault. WAVES members Mona Mangold and Cynthia Merrill picked the sites the volunteers would clean up. Overall, the creek was cleaner than expected but some spots had so much trash that they were dangerous for volunteers, said Ault. Volunteers were sent to three main sites, the US 50 underpass, Riverfront Community Park, and Tanners Creek boat ramp in Lawrenceburg, said Merrill. The day began with sign-up at the boat ramp where workers were provided leather-palmed gloves and orange safety vests. Five members from Dearborn County Water Rescue joined the effort by picking up trash along the shore by boat, said Ault. High water hindered some of the work because getting too close to the creek was dangerous, she said. Most of the trash consisted of cans, bottles and other typical items. But many tires were found, along with other items from a 50-gallon drum to a shopping cart, said steering committee member, Kris Streb, watershed coordinator for the Dearborn County Soil and Water Conservation District. Because this was the first cleanup, it was a learning experience, she said. "Overall it was a success. We had a really good turnout," said Streb. One reason the group was able to pick up the large amount of trash was the work of the Dearborn County Highway Department. Workers used a backhoe to pick up large items, including the refrigerator, water tank, and big tree limbs. The work was quicker, too because piles of trash could be carried away in larger amounts, said Merrill. "We would not have been able to do a fraction of what we did without their help," she said. Help was also provided by workers and a truck from the City of Lawrenceburg, said Ault. The event provided a chance for people to become connected to their water source. People sometimes do not realize whatever is placed on the ground can find its way to the creek and sources of drinking water. Aquatic life, fish, recreation and the creek's appearance all are affected, said Merrill. "Everyone is part of the problem or the solution," she said. "It promotes awareness about pollution to people, and gives them a sense of doing something for the community," added Streb. After the cleanup, participants returned to the boat ramp for lunch. Others, including Pizza Hut and Biggs, helped through donations. American Legion Post No. 230, Lawrenceburg, donated the use of tables and chairs, said Ault. Residents can help keep the creek clean by properly disposing trash, said Streb. Residents also can become involved with efforts to keep the county clean through the steering committee. Meetings are from 7pm - 8:30pm, the second Tuesday of every month at the Dearborn County Hospital , 600 Wilson Creek Raod, Lawrenceburg. Volunteers are needed for the technical, education, and water quality subcommittees, said Streb. The technical members look at land use in the watershed, while educational members develop and distribute edcuational materials and coordinate field days. No one has been picked at this time to lead the education committee, said Streb. The water quality subcommittee needs the most help. The steering committee was formed about a year ago to address growing environmental concerns, but volunteers already were testing water quality. Testing takes place one Saturday a month for about two to three hours, she said. For more information about the Tanners Creek Steering Committee, contact watershed coodinator, Kris Streb at: 812-926-2406 ext. 107