Delmarva Power Coastal Cleanup

For the 19th consecutive year, Delmarva Power will partner with environmental, civic and business organizations throughout the region to support the 23rd annual Coastal Cleanup this fall. The effort aims to remove trash from beaches and riverbanks in Delaware, Maryland and New Jersey. Volunteers are needed to clean up 61 sites, scheduled for September 19 and 27 and October 24. Each participant will receive an original Coastal Cleanup T-shirt, courtesy of Delmarva Power, the primary corporate sponsor of the event.

Delmarva Power believes this annual cleanup is an environmental, educational and community event, said Matt Likovich, spokesman for Delmarva Power, during a cleanup kickoff news conference. The cleanup benefits the environment, educates the public about the dangers of pollution and brings people together to work on a worthwhile project. The cleanup also helps increase awareness of the need to recycle. The regional 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. The data will then be used to focus on the sources of debris, as well as identify ways to reduce or eliminate waste. In last year’s cleanup, more than 2,600 volunteers collected an estimated 20,000 pounds of trash. Typical debris included cigarette butts, beverage containers, food wrappers and fishing gear. Some of the more unusual items included a bicycle, porch blinds, barbecue grill, blankets, pillow, lawnmower and automobile tires.

2009 Coastal Cleanup Locations, Dates & Contacts:
• Delaware (47 sites): 9a.m.; 9/19/09; Joanna Wilson, 302-739-9902 or www.dnrec.delaware.gov.
• New Jersey (4 sites) – Cumberland County: 10a.m.; 9/19/09; Alyssa Jones 609-861-4120. Atlantic & Cape May Counties: 9a.m.; 10/24/09; Tavia Danch, 732-872-0111.
• Maryland (10 sites) – Assateague Island: 9a.m.; 9/19/09; Kim Fehrer, 410-629-1538. Ocean City: 9a.m.; 9/19/09; Nancy Howard 410-524-1881. Nanticoke River, Nanticoke: 9a.m.; 9/19/09; Judith Stribling 410-548-4767 or Kara Kukovich 443-944-1175. Beaverdam Creek, Salisbury: 9a.m.; 9/19/09; Mary Seemann 410-860-6880 or Renee Fredericksen 410-742-4988, ext. 109. Pocomoke River, Snow Hill: 9a.m.; 9/19/09; Ron Pilling 410-632-3971. Nassawango Creek, Snow Hill: 9a.m.; 9/26/09; Joe Fehrer, Jr. 410-632-4761 or 410-430-1743. Sailwinds Park, Cambridge: 9a.m.; 9/19/09; Laura LeBlanc 443-205-2981. Tuckahoe State Park: 9a.m.; 9/19/09; Darryl Calloway 410-438-3151, ext. 145. Little Patuxent River, Jessup: 9a.m.; 9/19/09; Sue Muller 410-313-4697. Janes Island State Park, Crisfield: 9a.m.; 9/19/09; Ranger John Somers 410-968-1565.