It is almost time for the second annual 288 Cleanup and help is needed to remove debris from 288 Boat Ramp.
The cleanup is scheduled for March 14-15. Organizers plan to begin work at 8:30 a.m. each day. Lunch will be provided by the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad at noon, and beverages, including hot chocolate, will be available throughout the day.
“It is not going to be as much as last year,” organizer Gina Wiggins said. “It is sparse but still problematic.”
During last year’s cleanup, crews burned six large piles of wood debris and removed items including propane tanks and refrigerators from the lake.
Wiggins said crews will collect debris from Lands Creek Bridge to the boat dock. The debris will be piled and burned.
Ahead of the event, volunteers with Swain Clean will pick up trash along roadsides and riverbanks on Highway 288 and in and out of Monteith Park at 10 a.m. March 13. Volunteers will meet at the boat launch parking area.
“This is in advance of the wood debris collection and burn,” said Nichols, co-director of Swain Clean, adding that participating in the project should give volunteers a sense of pride.
Organizers are also seeking access to heavy-duty machinery and utility task vehicles to assist with the effort.
Last year volunteers removed approximately 345,025 square feet of debris during the clean up.
For additional information contact Wiggins at 404-502-5603.