Clean up Journal

8/16/00

Introduction; 

After the first two clean up events and a great amount of interest, we decided to keep a journal of the clean up events to help keep people informed. This will be the first entry in that journal and we will up-date the journal after each event.

The entries will include both the happenings of the events and other happenings since the last event.

Entry # 1;

We had 5 adults and 4 children meet at the sand ramp near the North River Bridge.  There was about 6 bags of litter from the shore and along the roadside there. Most of it was things like diapers, clothes, used toilet paper, cereal boxes, plastic bottles, beer cans and bottles, baby formula cans, fast food trash and stuff like that.

After that we went to the East end of the bridge and found a lot of trash. The trash there was much the same as the ramp area. The biggest difference was, the amount was much greater and there were about 300 dead shad left in the parking area.

I had found the shad there Friday and called DMF. An officer called back, then met me there and took notice of the dead fish and litter. While he was there, he checked the license of the men there were there. He also expressed that he was upset to see the dead fish and litter.

When we had cleaned up another 10 bags of trash there, we went to the Wards Creek Bridge. We cleaned up another 8 bags of trash there. It was all the same kind of trash. Most of it was brands not sold locally. There was also a large amount of beer cans and bottles. ( This makes me worry about people drinking and driving. )

Then we stood around and enjoyed the view and the breeze. It felt really good to go down there and spend time with friends, clean up litter, and make a difference.

All together, we had 24 bags of trash and some other items, including a huge floor jack.

I spent from about 4:00 to 8:00 Saturday afternoon at the 3 locations. I was looking around, talking to people, and helping some of the people there. It was a nice afternoon and I couldn't help but to feel good about how clean it was. Although there was a small amount of litter left since we had cleaned up, it was not much. I got the feeling that we may have reached a turning point with a lot of the people that have been using these spots.

Later Saturday night, my oldest son and I went to the North River Bridge and sat with a few friends. They were as amazed as we were of how good it still looked there. One of them noted that he thought we were wasting our time when we first started the clean up effort, now he thinks he may have been wrong.

Early Sunday, I went to the 3 areas. There was very little trash at any of them. I was both surprised and pleased. After hanging around at all of them for a little while, I decided to pick up trash from the rocks on the South West side of the bridge. ( between the sand ramp and the bridge. )  I picked up 16 bags of litter from the rocks and mostly around the foot of the bridge.

Later in the day, I went back and looked around at Wards Creek, and it looked clean when I got there. I must admit that it was odd to pull up and not see any litter. Nobody was there, and nothing interesting was going on so I left.

I went to the parking area on the East end of the North River Bridge and watched some people down there fishing and shrimping. Shortly after I arrived there, a woman took a pillow out of a car and carried it to the rocks. Sat on it, while a child about 5 yrs. old pulled the stuffing out of it, then threw it around.

I called the Sheriff office and a deputy came out soon after. He went over to them, gave them a warning, then had them clean their mess up. ( The pillow stuffing was not the only litter they had thrown down. ) After that he made note of their tags and vehicles.

On one hand, I think they should have gotten a ticket. That would be a strong deterrent. On the other hand, I am satisfied that they have been warned, and hopefully that will be a strong enough deterrent.

I understand that the child was bored, and had nothing to do. I also understand that there were plenty of adults there to control the child. Not to mention that one of them was setting on the pillow she was tearing up. There was also a lot of trash the adults had thrown down.

After that I went to the sand ramp and enjoyed the evening dusk. While I was there these same people showed up and left shortly after.

Seeing these little kids climbing all over those dangerous rocks, made me wonder if their safety was at risk. I will have to think on that a bit more.

That is how the weekend events have un-folded. I think I remembered everything.

One thing to note; When I first picked up the bags from DOT, I thought  " WOW! 500 bags will last us a very long time. " We used 19 bags the first clean up, 29 the second, and 40 the third. That is 88 bags in 6 weeks. I am beginning to wonder just how long 500 bags will last. 

Clammerhead

HOME

EVENTS

8/24/09

Entry #2

It was the same volunteers meeting this time as the last. We started at the sand ramp at North River again. When I arrived there at 8:15, ZZ had already been there for a while and had that area clean. Everything he had gathered fit into one trash bag.

While he and I made our game plan, my oldest son started cleaning along the roadside on the North side of the highway. ZZ and I cleaned along the South side up to the bridge. My wife and the younger volunteers went to Wards Creek and started there.

After we finished with the West end of the bridge, we went to the East end and started our way farther East.

I was shocked at how much trash was saturated into the rocks along the roadside. All together, we picked up 20 bags of trash from the North River area. I knew there was a lot left that we had not gotten to yet, but I didn't think it was that much.

There were about 6 or 8 people there enjoying the water in different ways. We talked to them a bit and received good responses from the ones that spoke English.

My wife and the others picked up 4 bags of trash from Wards Creek and called me to see what was next. I told her we could probably call it a day. She agreed and went home.

ZZ, Jr. and I stood around and talked for a while, then we carried the trash to the dump. We were done by 11:30.

It was a relatively short day and we still picked up 24 bags of trash. This has brought our total up to 112 bags. Most of the trash had been there for a while, and was in an area we hadn't got to yet. The 3 main areas we had been concentrating on were relativity clean still.

We all had a good time, while we picked up the trash. These events have become rather fun. We enjoyed the company, while the location and all that goes with it, bring on a serenity that sticks with you long after the work is over for the day.

While we were cleaning up, many cars honked and yelled thank you. One memorable fellow slowed down,

opened his door and (several times) yelled God Bless You. Even though that isn't why we are doing this, I must admit it felt good to be appreciated.

On that note; Late Sunday afternoon, I pulled into the ramp area at Wards Creek and there was a DMF officer there. I told him and I will tell everyone else, I appreciate him being there. There is no doubt that their presence has helped tremendously.

We are working on plans to begin another area soon, but have not picked a location or date yet. We have been able to get this much done with a very small crew. As we take on more challenges, we are going to need more help. Please folks, come on out and join us. Not only will you help improve a situation that has been long over due for attention, you will meet some great people and have a really good time. I wish we had started this a long time ago.

Clammerhead

01/27/10

It has been a long time since I have updated this journal. Please forgive me, there has been a lot going on. Even though we have adjusted the methods we are using, the clean-up effort has continued. In order to give a good representation of what has been going on, I will give you the overall picture of events.

Through out the fall and winter, we have gone to the Boardwalk along Turner St.on Labor Day and picked up trash, along with the Beaufort-Morehead City Causeway on November 28th. Other than that I have been constantly cleaning up along North River and Wards Creek through out the fall and winter. Sometimes My family and/or a few friends would gather and clean up. Other times I would go alone. This really allows for some serious think time. What better place to let your mind wander than along the shore with such wondrous sites. On occasion, I will see some trash along the highway and stop and pick it up.

When we first began the clean-up effort we had 540 bags to work with. 500 of those came from the State of North Carolina. Since then we have filled them all. Late last year we adopted two sections of highway through the States Adopt A Highway program. The Polluted Loon adopted a section along North River and The Clammerhead Group adopted the section at Wards Creek. I will say that it has been a challenge to keep those areas clean. There is so much that washes up on the shore, along with what is thrown or blows from automobiles. Sadly someone has chosen to take target practice on the Polluted Loon signs put up at North River. I doubt it was anyone that helped us clean those areas.

Last week I went to the DOT office in Newport and got 250 more bags, gloves and orange vest. I am currently trying to schedule another group clean-up within the next two weeks. Between weather, working, and other activities, it is still up in the air just when and where we will meet. I should have a date and place by the end of the week.

That is all for now. I will try to be more diligent about updating this journal in the future.

                                         Thank You,

                                                    Clammerhead