SAVANNAH, Ga. – The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Hartwell Lake Project Office will accept natural Christmas trees (no artificial trees) for recycling Dec. 26 through Jan. 25, 2019.
The recycled trees will be used as fish attractors in Hartwell Lake. Trees will be tied in bundles, weighted with concrete anchors, and then submerged in various locations marked with fish attractor buoys. All ornaments and tinsel must be removed before dropping off the trees.
Christmas trees can be dropped off at designated donation sites at Big Oaks and Poplar Springs boat ramps in Georgia and Twin Lakes and Friendship boat ramps in South Carolina. Mount Lebanon Elementary School located in Pendleton, South Carolina, also serves as a drop-off location from Dec. 26 through Jan. 18, 2019.
Donated trees can be picked up by fishermen any time for personal placement. Trees should be anchored in 8-12 feet of water. Do not place Christmas trees in the main lake channel or around private docks.
“Small trees and brush provide cover for fish, particularly as nursery areas for juvenile fish,” said Corps Natural Resources Specialist Jess Fleming. “In addition, they provide habitat for aquatic insects which serve as an essential food source during the early developmental stages of most fish species.”
For more information, contact the Hartwell Lake Operations Project Manager’s Office toll free 888‑893‑0678, or visit their website at http://www.sas.usace.army.mil/lakes/hartwell. For a list of fish attractor locations and GPS coordinates, visit them online at http://www.sas.usace.army.mil/lakes/hartwell/fishing.htm.
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Release no. 18-049