Delmarva Power will partner with environmental, governmental and business organizations throughout the region to support the 28th annual Coastal Cleanup this year. The effort aims to remove trash from beaches and riverbanks in Delaware, Maryland and New Jersey.
Volunteers are needed to clean up more than 60 locations. Most cleanups will occur on Saturday, Sept. 20, while others will take place on other dates in September and October. (See second and third pages of this news release for specific information on all cleanup sites, times and dates). Each participant will receive an original Coastal Cleanup T-shirt (while supplies last), courtesy of Delmarva Power and the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.
“Unfortunately, some people who visit our region’s beaches and rivers over the summer leave behind a lot of trash,” Delmarva Power spokesman Matt Likovich said during a Coastal Cleanup kickoff news conference Thursday in Ocean City. “Add that to the debris that washes ashore and you have the potential for serious pollution. Delmarva Power is proud to sponsor Coastal Cleanup for 24 consecutive years because it reflects the kind of environmental stewardship that is central to our business.”
Delaware will include recycling as part of the cleanup with volunteers separating trash from recyclables.
In last year’s cleanup, approximately 2,300 volunteers collected an estimated 14,000 pounds of trash. Unusual items collected included a hockey puck, license plate, mailbox, lawn chairs, snow shovels, and bicycles. Typical items found included cigar and cigarette butts, beverage containers, plastic bags and balloons with strings or ribbons attached. Balloons, strings and ribbons pose a serious health threat to animals and aquatic life that can mistake balloons for food and become entangled in the strings and ribbons. Coastal Cleanup is part of International Coastal Cleanup, sponsored by Ocean Conservancy, an organization that works to protect the world’s oceans. The types and quantities of trash collected will be itemized on data cards and forwarded to the Center for Marine Conservation. The information will be used to identify the source of debris as well as explore ways to reduce or eliminate litter.
Find additional information about Delmarva Power by visiting www.delmarva.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/delmarvapower and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/delmarvaconnect. Our mobile app is available at www.delmarva.com/mobileapp.
2014 Coastal Cleanup Locations, Times, Dates & Contacts
Delaware (48 sites) – 9 a.m., Sept. 20
Joanna Wilson
302-739-9902
www.dnrec.delaware.gov
Maryland (12 sites)
Beaverdam Creek, Salisbury – 9 a.m., Sept. 6
Mary Seemann,
410-860-6880
(Cleanup completed at this site)
Dorsey Run, Jessup – 9 a.m., Sept. 13
Sue Muller,
410-313-4697
(This location already has a full quota of volunteers.)
Janes Island State Park, Crisfield – 8:30 a.m., Sept. 20
Ranger John Somers,
410-968-1565
Assateague Island – 8:30 a.m., Sept. 20
Matt Heim,
410-629-1538
Ocean City – 9 a.m., Sept. 20
Gail Blazer,
410-289-8221
Nassawango Creek, Snow Hill – 9 a.m., Sept. 20
Joe Fehrer, Jr.,
410-430-1743
Turner’s Creek, Kennedyville – 9 a.m., Sept. 20
Geri Schlenoff
icc.baltimore@gmail.com
Terrapin Park, Stevensville – 9 a.m., Sept. 20
Gerri Schlenoff
icc.baltimore@gmail.com
Black Walnut Point, Tilghman Island – 9 a.m., Sept. 20
Geri Schlenoff
icc.baltimore@gmail.com
George Island Landing, Truitt’s Landing, Taylor Landing
Girdletree – 9 a.m., Sept. 20
Kim Klump,
410-726-3090
Bill Burton Fishing Pier, Trappe – 9 a.m., Sept. 27
Carmera Thomas,
410-268-8816
Nanticoke River
Judith Stribling,
410-548-4767
Nanticoke (Roaring Point Park) – 9 a.m., Sept. 27
New Jersey (2 sites)
Port Norris – 10 a.m., Sept. 20
Moses Katkowski,
609-861-4126
Atlantic City – 9 a.m., Oct. 25
Ken Mosca,
609-645-4802
