Details Announced for Lake Murray Litter Sweep

Posted 7/25/22

The local nonprofit has announced its Lakeside Litter Sweep, which will rally the public to “clean up islands, shorelines, boat ramps, and natural areas around the lake.”

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Details Announced for Lake Murray Litter Sweep

Posted

Keep the Midlands Beautiful is seeking help to clean up Lake Murray.

The local nonprofit has announced its Lakeside Litter Sweep, which will rally the public to “clean up islands, shorelines, boat ramps, and natural areas around the lake,” according to a press release.

“Volunteers are invited to end the summer with a splash by making a difference in keeping Lake Murray litter-free. Check-in will begin at 8:30 a.m. on September 17th at three locations: (1) Southshore Marina in Leesville, (2) Lighthouse Marina in Chapin, and (3) Dreher Island State Park in Prosperity,” the release states. “With help from PalmettoPride, Dominion Energy, Lexington County, and other event partners, volunteers will receive a safety and orientation briefing, cleanup supplies, an event T-shirt, sandwich lunch, a thank you gift, and an opportunity to win prizes from local businesses.”

Registration is required in advance by Sept. 10 at kmbsc.org.

Having a boat isn’t required, but those with their own boats will be encouraged to travel to islands and shorelines to assist in the efort.

“AquaFun Boat Rentals & Tours and other event partners will shuttle volunteers to various islands on the lake,” the release explains. “If you prefer land, select the option to clean the shorelines, boat ramps and nearby roads surrounding the lake. In addition, divers with Wateree Dive Shop and Scuba John’s have volunteered to remove litter below the surface of the lake. Safety is our priority; the Coast Guard Auxiliary will be on hand to support this event.”

The event is being funded in part by a $21,750 grant Keep the Midlands Beautiful received from PalmettoPride, the State of South Carolina’s anti-litter and beautification organization, earlier this year. The nonprofit announced when it received those funds that they would also go to help with the Adopt a Highway program and the Waste Wise Program.

Keep the Midlands Beautiful reports having had 242 volunteers at its 2021 Lakeside Litter Sweep, with the effort removing more than 6,000 pounds of litter from the shores of 27 islands and 10 boat ramps.

The clean-up event is part of the state Department of Natural Resources’ Beach Sweep River Sweep, an annual statewide effort to clean waterways and inform the public about the impact litter has on oceans, lakes, rivers and beaches.

“Lake Murray is the Midlands’ greatest treasure, and it is so important to keep it clean and healthy.” Laura Blake-Orr, Keep the Midlands Beautiful’s Core Programs Administrator, is quoted. "We know that many people enjoy recreation on and around the lake each year, and we hope that these same people will join us in giving back and helping to clean it up!”

As the release notes, the Lakeside Litter Sweep isn’t the nonprofit’s only effort geared toward keeping Lake Murray clean.

Small volunteer groups do clean-ups year-round, and the Adopt-a-Waterway program “provides volunteer groups recognition for committing to clean a section of waterway including rivers, creeks, boat ramps, and islands at Lake Murray two times a year for two years,” the release states.

lake murray clean up, lakeside litter sweep, keep the midlands beautiful, sc nonprofit

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