For Immediate Release
Contact
OCEAN CITY, Md. - Delmarva Power will partner with environmental, governmental and business organizations throughout the region to support the 29th 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 71 locations. Most cleanups will occur on Saturday, Sept. 19, while others will take place on other dates in September and October. (See below 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 Monday 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 25 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 17,000 pounds of trash. Unusual items collected included a windshield wiper, paint brush, flashlight, toilet seat, television, car fender and chopsticks. Typical items found included cigar and cigarette butts, beverage containers, plastic bags and balloons with attached strings or ribbons. 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.
2015 Coastal Cleanup Locations, Times, Dates & Contacts
Delaware (51 sites) - 9 a.m., Sept. 19
Joanna Wilson, 302-739-9902 www.dnrec.delaware.gov/CoastalCleanup
Maryland (18 sites)
Beaverdam Creek, Salisbury - 9 a.m., Sept. 12Mary Seemann, 410-860-6880
Dorsey Run, Jessup - 9 a.m., Sept. 12Sue Muller, 410-313-4697 (This location already has a full quota of volunteers.)
Janes Island State Park, Crisfield - 8:30 a.m., Sept. 19Ranger John Somers, 410-968-1565
Assateague Island - 8:30 a.m., Sept. 19Matt Heim, 410-629-1538
Ocean City - 9 a.m., Sept. 19Gail Blazer, 410-289-8221Sandi Smith, 410-213-2297
Nanticoke River, Roaring Point Park - 9 a.m., Sept. 19Eugene Williams, 410-548-2062
Tred Avon River, Easton - 9 a.m., Sept, 19Geri Schlenofficc.baltimore@gmail.com
Neavitt Landing, St. Michaels - 9 a.m. Sept. 19Geri Schlenofficc.baltimore@gmail.com
Terrapin Park, Stevensville - 9 a.m., Sept. 19Geri Schlenofficc.baltimore@gmail.com
Kent Narrows, Kent Island - 9 a.m., Sept. 19 Geri Schlenoff(two locations) icc.baltimore@gmail.com
Bill Burton Fishing Pier, Cambridge - 9 a.m., Sept. 19 Geri Schlenofficc.baltimore@gmail.com
Elk and North Rivers, Elkton - 9 a.m., Sept. 19 Geri Schlenofficc.baltimore@gmail.com
George Island Landing, Truitt's Landing, Taylor Landing Girdletree - 9 a.m., Sept. 20Kim Klump, 410-726-3090
Nassawango Creek, Snow Hill - 9 a.m., Sept. 26 Joe Fehrer, Jr., 410-430-1743
New Jersey (2 sites)
South Cape May Meadows Preserve, Cape May - 10 a.m., Sept. 18 Adrianna Zito-Livingston, 609-861-4136
Atlantic City - 9 a.m., Oct. 24 Ken Mosca, 609-645-4802
