Date: Sept. 8, 2008
Contact: Tom Colson, (919) 630-2569

Photo by Tom Colson showing just a small part of the large area of trash, limbs and debris collecting in coves of Jordan Lake.

Volunteers are needed for the removal of trash near Robeson Creek Boat Ramp on Jordan Lake on Saturday, Oct. 18, starting at 8 am. Several groups are collaborating with the project to help remove a large area of trash floating on the water that could impair wildlife in the area, including ospreys, egrets and a nesting pair of bald eagles.

“There is no land access to this part of the land, so we especially need volunteers with boats,” said Tom Colson, an environmental consultant involved with the cleanup.

Partners in the project include Chatham County, the Haw River Assembly, the US Army Corps of Engineers, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, and the N.C. Department of Environment & Natural Resources.

“The main purpose of the event is to perform a preliminary trash pick-up effort to assess how much trash is present and to identify what we need to do to remove all the trash,” Colson said.

The clean-up day was planned when representatives of Chatham County and the US Army Corps of Engineers identified a large amount of trash in Jordan Lake that had collected immediately downstream from the point where the Haw River drains into the lake.

A site inspection revealed dozens of tons of trash along dozens of acres of shoreline, including thousands of recyclable bottles and hundreds of tires as well as coolers, orange highway barrels, Styrofoam materials and balls. In some places, the mat of trash floating on the water is so wide and thick that it could be detrimental to the habitat of Jordan Lake wildlife, Colson said.

The Haw River Assembly has been doing trash clean-ups on the Haw River and Jordan Lake for 20 years, but even so, Haw Riverkeeper Elaine Chiosso was shocked by the huge amount of trash found.

Large drums, traffic cones, bottles and many other items have collected over many years. Photo by Tom Colson.

“This trash has come down the river during heavy rains from as far away as Reidsville, Greensboro and Burlington, and has been collecting in these coves and on the shore for years?probably since the lake was filled in 1982. It will take a big effort by agencies and volunteers to remove it.”

The trash site is about a 45-minute paddle from the Robeson Creek Boat Ramp. Chatham County’s Waste Management Department will provide dumpsters at boat ramp. The group will be concentrating on an area near the boat ramp that appears to have the worst concentration of trash and is also home to several ospreys, egrets, and a nesting pair of bald eagles, Colson said.

“We need boat owner volunteers the most. Anything that floats will do, but some motor boats are needed to move the trash,” Colson said. Boats that hold at least six passengers would be ideal, but boat owners must make sure that they have enough life vests for all passengers.

The group also needs at least one “hanger queen” boat as a trash barge, without having to worry about scrubbing the decks. “A 27-foot Grady White wouldn't fit in here, but an 18-foot Carolina Skiff is perfect for this purpose,” Colson said.

Other volunteers needed include:

• At least 30 trash sweepers, who will ride in boats (their own or someone else’s) to the trash site, where they will collect trash and move it to loading points.
• At least six boat loaders, who will pick up collected trash at the loading points and put it in boats. Colson noted that this could be the most uncomfortable task, because it will involve being wet much of the time and possibly wearing chest waders. “Comfort level depends on how close we can get the boats to the shore, which depends on the types of boats we get to help out.”
• Four to six dock workers to remove trash from the boats, sort and catalog the trash and make sure the trash goes into the correct waste container.

Colson reminds potential volunteers that there are no bathrooms or running water in the work area. “It may be hot and sweaty and you can count on being muddy and dirty. We need people who can work in the woods or water for six to eight hours in these conditions.”

All volunteers need to bring boots, long pants, bug repellent (ticks and chiggers), drinking water and their own lunches. “We are seeking small donations for beverages and lunch, but are not sure if this will happen. We would also like to get donations to cover the cost of gas for the boats, trash bags and gloves for volunteers, so please contact me at 630-2569 if you can help out,” Colson said.

All boats and volunteers need to be at the Robeson Creek Boat Ramp by 8 am. The ramp is located off of Hanks Chapel Road, which is on the east side of Pittsboro, just off of US 64.

“All of these groups and the citizens of the state that depend on Jordan Lake for recreation and water supply greatly appreciate any help that volunteers can provide. We are hoping that the volunteers’ efforts will identify the need for a comprehensive trash removal effort, followed by an educational program aimed at reducing trash. This will benefit the entire Cape Fear Watershed,” Colson added.