Group plans White River cleanup near Haysville

The Lower East Fork White River watershed group needs your help to improve our drinking water!!

Volunteers are requested to gather trash and litter on Tuesday, October 6, in the Portersville and Haysville areas along roadside ditches and creek or stream banks. 

They are asked to donate just three hours of their time to lessen the effects of pollution in our environment and help to improve water quality within the watershed.

Watershed coordinator Julie Loehr will be available at the Haysville Park starting at 3 p.m. EDT with trash collection supplies and maps of areas in need of intervention.  

Call Julie in advance, at 812-779-7924, to let her know if you and your family plan to join in on this community project and help improve water quality.  If you would like to help but are unable to meet at Haysville at 3 p.m., you can still volunteer for this event. Contact Julie for details.

All volunteers should dress for the weather conditions, wear sturdy shoes, and a face mask. While doing the cleanup, all volunteers will be socially distanced but should plan to wear a facemask during check-in and check out. Trash bags, grabbers, vests, and gloves will be provided.

Much of the pollution in our local rivers and streams is everyday household trash, or Styrofoam cups, aluminum cans, and fast-food wrappers that are thrown from cars. It all is washed by rainwater from our streets, yards, driveways, and parking lots into our drinking water supply. Unwanted household items such as old TVs and furniture are illegally dumped directly into the creeks and streams as well.     

The Lower East Fork White River Watershed committee is sponsoring the event. The Dubois County Solid Waste Management District, and the Dubois and Pike County Soil and Water Conservation Districts are also sponsoring the project in efforts to reduce nonpoint source pollution.

It takes citizens like you to help community efforts be a success. Please contact Julie Loehr, Lower East Fork White River Watershed Coordinator, at 812.779.7924 to become a community volunteer and help improve drinking water quality in your neighborhood.