Volunteers needed to help clean up Norris Lake

Submitted

The Norris Lake Project Team is looking for volunteers to help with the fifth biannual Five County Norris Lake Cleanup on March 28 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“Since 2011, volunteers from the counties surrounding Norris Lake have picked up over 15 tons of trash,” said Stephanie Wells, director of the Anderson County Tourism Council. “We continue to conduct two cleanups each year because Norris Lake is not only a recreational destination for residents and visitors, it is an economic driver for all five counties and we need to protect its shorelines.”

There will be several launch points in each of the five counties and numerous locations that volunteers can help by picking up and properly disposing of in trash.

There will be boats available to shuttle volunteers to and from the cleanup sites, and barges will be used to transfer the trash back to the shore. However, volunteers are welcome to bring their own boats.

All volunteers are encouraged to wear appropriate shoes, preferably boots, bring gloves and bring a life jacket.

“We conduct these cleanups to not only clean up the illegally dumped trash but to also raise public awareness,” said Julie Graham, executive director of East Tennessee Quality Growth. “We want to encourage boaters, campers, and other users of the lake to dispose of their trash properly and eliminate the need for these cleanups.”

The Norris Lake Project Team is a grassroots effort of individuals, organizations, businesses, and agencies to preserve the water quality of Norris Lake, conserve the land surrounding the lake, and encourage the stakeholders of the lake to do their part in keeping Norris Lake the cleanest and safest recreational asset in Anderson, Campbell, Claiborne, Grainger, and Union counties.

If you are interested in volunteering, visit www.norrislakeproject.com to find a location near you, register, and get more information. Volunteers can also register the morning of March 28. Please note that minors must be accompanied by an adult and have a registration and release form signed by a parent. You can also call toll free to (800) 524-3602 or email [email protected] for more information.

The Norris Lake Project Team is a partnership with the Anderson County Tourism Council, Campbell County Chamber of Commerce, Claiborne County Chamber of Commerce, Grainger County Chamber of Commerce, Union County Chamber of Commerce, Norris Lake Marina Association, East Tennessee Quality Growth, Tennessee Valley Authority, Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Norris Dam State Park, Big Ridge State Park, Keep Union County Beautiful, Anderson County Litter Grant, Sunset Bay HOA, Hickory Point HOA, Norris Shores HOA, Lone Mountain HOA, and Narrow Ridge Earth Literacy Center.