Thurmond Lake officials seek volunteers for National Public Lands Day 2022

USACE, Savannah District
Published Aug. 15, 2022

SAVANNAH, Ga. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, seeks individual and group volunteers for the annual J. Strom Thurmond Lake cleanup campaign on National Public Lands Day, Sept. 24, 2022.

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,” , J. Strom Thurmond Lake Park Ranger Hannah Sue Hulpke 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 Agreement. Completed forms can be dropped off or mailed to the Thurmond Project Office at 510 Clarks Hill Highway, Clarks Hill, SC 29821or emailed to CESAS-OP-T@usace.army.mil. Registration deadline is Sept. 10.

While the work is typical cleaning work, it does contain some occasional hazards, according to Hulpke. Therefore 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 Hulpke at 864-333-1172 or toll free at 800-533-3478, extension 1172.

 

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Contact
Cheri Pritchard, Senior Public Affairs Specialist
912-652-5014
912-677-6039 (cell)
cheri.e.dragos-pritchard@usace.army.mil

Release no. 22-019