RYAN SCOTT OTTNEY
PDT Staff Writer
The Friends of Scioto Brush Creek, along with the Scioto and Adams counties Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD) hosted their annual Scioto Brush Creek Sweep on May 19.
Originally started in 2007, the purpose of the Friends of Scioto Brush Creek and the annual sweep is to maintain, or improve, the water quality of Scioto Brush Creek through education, awareness and the involvement of local residents.
“Most people understand that the litter they see along roadways will likely eventually end up in our streams. The easiest most efficient way to keep our streams clean is to prevent litter in the first place. The second most efficient method is to pick it up along the roadsides before it has a chance to enter our streams. The hardest, most labor intensive way is to remove it from the stream itself,” said Bill Wickerham of the Adams SWCD.
He said the litter found in the stream many times will become snagged or tangled and likely will remain there until someone comes along to remove it. But once litter makes its way to the stream, there is little chance that it will be removed.
“What usually happens is one of two things. It will eventually wash downstream and accumulate with the other trash from the rest of the watershed, creating a massive problem, or it becomes a permanent eyesore, along with all the other trash that accumulates, for many years to come,” Wickerham said.
This year, on May 19, the Friends removed trash from Arion Road to Tatman Coe Road, which covers nearly three miles of stream. Fifteen volunteers filled seven canoes to capacity with almost one ton of garbage. After lunch, the group participated in discussion of the history of the stream, led by Scioto SWCD Education Specialist Kate Sowards.
For more information about Scioto Brush Creek or the Sweep, find them at www.friendsofsciotobrushcreek.org.
Ryan Scott Ottney can be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 235, or rottney@heartlandpublications.com.
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