Adopt-the-Shoreline announced today that the 2017 fall shoreline cleanup at the Lake of Ozarks begins Saturday, Sept. 16, and runs through Sunday, Nov. 5.
With more shoreline than the state of California, it takes a lot of collaboration and volunteers to keep the Lake of the Ozarks' shoreline clean and a quality experience for property owners and visitors. More than 14,000 volunteers have participated in Adopt-the-Shoreline (ATS) activities since the group organized as a beautification effort in 1991. Organizers are pleased with how the program has grown and the continued support from zone coordinators.
Cleanups are performed entirely by volunteers who canvass over 500 miles of shoreline in 12 geographic zones. Bryan Vance, coordinator for Adopt-the-Shoreline, says the "zone" defense approach has been a great success.
“Many of our coordinators have been with the program for over 20 years, some since the start, and they are the backbone of our program," Vance said. "They are a local contact for the adopting groups in their zone providing tips, tricks and supplies that make the annual cleanup a success.”
During the 2017 spring cleanup, volunteers removed 587 cubic yards of trash, including a discarded truck door and derelict dock floats. In addition to a large volume of manmade trash, there was an enormous amount of woody debris deposited along the shoreline.
Ameren Missouri sponsors ATS activities – providing administrative support, supplying trash bags and paying for disposal of debris and trash. ATS is part of Ameren Missouri’s commitment to preserving the integrity of the lake and the environment for business owners, residents and visitors.
Adopt-the-Shoreline volunteers only remove man-made debris, but coordinators offer these tips for dealing with woody debris:
• Larger trees and limbs may be used as fish habitat provided they are properly anchored and safely placed so they don’t become a hazard to navigation.
• Stack and place natural debris above the normal high-water line. Once the debris has dried, the material may be burned with the issuance of a permit from a local fire district.
For more information about Adopt-the-Shoreline, visit www.amerenmissouri.com/ats. To volunteer or adopt your own section of shoreline, contact your zone coordinator or the Adopt-the-Shoreline office at 573-365-9252.
Ameren Missouri has been providing electric and gas service for more than 100 years, and the company's electric rates are among the lowest in the nation. Ameren Missouri's mission is to power the quality of life for its 1.2 million electric and 127,000 natural gas customers in central and eastern Missouri. The company's service area covers 64 counties and more than 500 communities, including the greater St. Louis area. For more information, visit Ameren.com/Missouri or follow us at @AmerenMissouri or Facebook.com/AmerenMissouri.
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