Adopt-the-Shoreline volunteers participating in the 19th annual Spring Shoreline Beautification Cleanup at Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks reported finding significantly less trash and debris on the lake’s shoreline than in past years. The improvement is mainly due to a reduction in non-encapsulated foam flotation material from boat docks, which has been the number one source of man-made debris in the lake in the past. AmerenUE, which issues dock permits and sets dock standards at the lake, banned the use of such material effective Jan. 1, 2008.
“Many groups have reported their areas were surprisingly clean compared to past years, and this spring, like in last fall’s cleanups, they have really seen the benefits of the non-encapsulated foam flotation ban,” says UE’s Shoreline Management Field Coordinator Bryan Vance. “This spring, Adopt-the-Shoreline volunteers say the amount of large pieces of non-encapsulated foam was less than half of what they picked up last year—which is great news for everyone working to keep the lake clean.”
The spring cleanup began March 13 and ended April 18, although some individual cleanups will continue through May, and opportunities to volunteer may still be available.
Adopt-the-Shoreline is sponsored by UE, which provides administrative support and pays for disposal of the trash and debris removed, but the actual cleanup is performed entirely by volunteers.
For information on Adopt-the-Shoreline, or to volunteer to help with remaining cleanups, call 573-365-9252. UE has posted a video on the shoreline cleanup program at http://www.youtube.com/user/AmerenUE#p/u/0/QqrBmus-5rk.
AmerenUE, founded in 1902, provides electric and gas service to approximately 1.2 million customers across central and eastern Missouri, including the greater St. Louis area. UE serves 57 Missouri counties and 500 towns. The company's electric rates are among the lowest in the nation. For more information, visit www.amerenue.com.
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Contact: Mike Cleary, 573-681-7137