Thurmond Lake officials seek volunteers for National Public Lands Day 2019

Published July 25, 2019

SAVANNAH, Ga. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers seeks individual and group volunteers for the annual Thurmond Lake cleanup campaign on National Public Lands Day, Sept. 28, 2019.

Volunteers will work on a variety of projects including debris cleanup, brush clearing, and trail and park maintenance along the shoreline, islands, recreation areas, coves, old road ends and bridge areas.

“We invite scouting groups, civic organizations, sports clubs, church groups, businesses, families and individuals to join in,” Natural Resources Specialist Allen Akin at Thurmond Lake, said. The event begins at 8 a.m. and ends at noon with check-in at the Below Dam South Carolina Recreation Area. A picnic for volunteers follows the clean-up. Below Dam Recreation Area is at 384 Power Plant Road, Clarks Hill, South Carolina.

To participate, volunteers must complete and return a volunteer agreement available online. Participants volunteering as a group can download a group sign up form. Completed forms can be dropped off or mailed to the Thurmond Project Office at 510 Clarks Hill Highway, Clarks Hill, SC 29821. Forms may also be faxed to 864-333-1150 or emailed to CESAS-OP-T@usace.army.mil. Participants must register by Sept. 13.

While the work is typical cleaning work, it does contain some hazards, according to Boyd. A position hazard analysis is available for download.

All volunteers should wear closed-toed shoes, long pants (planned work could result in potential staining and damage to volunteer clothing) and bring plenty of water. Volunteers should plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early for check-in and a safety talk.

Participants will receive free t-shirts and a one-day pass for free admission to any federal park site (while supplies last).

In the event of severe weather conditions, National Public Lands Day events will be cancelled. No rain date is scheduled.

National Public Lands Day is a nationwide day of service for volunteering at local, state and federal public lands. The cleanup is also part of Georgia's statewide Rivers Alive program.

For more information, contact Atkins at 864-333-1129 or toll free at 800-533-3478, extension 1129.

 

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Contact
Billy Birdwell, Senior Public Affairs Specialist
912-652-5014
912-677-6039 (cell)
Billy.e.Birdwell@usace.army.mil

Release no. 19-021