Vicksburg, Miss… The Vicksburg District of the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers and Ouachita Green are seeking volunteers for the annual Water Sweep scheduled for September 19, 2015, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Volunteers are needed for the cleanup of the Ouachita River and other bodies of water in surrounding areas.
Cleanup sites will be set up in the following recreational areas: Sterlington, Moon Lake, and Bawcomville, Lazarre Park, Back Bayou National Wildlife Refuge, University of Louisiana Monroe/Bayou Desiard and the Forsythe Boat Ramp.
Volunteers are needed for walking shorelines and in boats. Cleanup supplies, T-shirts, and bottled water will be available for volunteers. T-shirts are guaranteed only to those who pre-register by September 6, 2015, through the Water Sweep web site. Volunteers are encouraged to register early through www.watersweep.org. Participants may sign up during the morning of the event at any staging area in Ouachita Parish.
Water Sweep is an award-winning program that brings volunteers together to clean area waterways. Last year, approximately 9,600 pounds of trash were collected and removed from area waterways. During previous Water Sweep events, items that were removed from area waterways included tires, furniture and a variety of household items and trash.
Ouachita Green is a nonprofit organization made up of three affiliates of Keep Louisiana Beautiful - Keep Monroe, Keep Ouachita Parish and Keep West Monroe Beautiful.
Volunteers can make a difference - bring your boat, all-terrain vehicle, or just yourself and have a fun-filled day that will benefit your community. If you enjoy fishing, skiing, swimming, boating, picnicking or taking in the natural beauty of the Ouachita River, you can appreciate efforts to preserve this part of “Sportsman’s Paradise” for present and future generations.
For more information about Water Sweep or to register, please call the City of West Monroe Community Development Office at (318) 323-5700 or visit
www.watersweep.org
The Vicksburg District’s LFO provides day-use activities and camping at two river systems and three lakes and encompasses the Ouachita-Black River, Red River, Bayou Bodcau, Caddo Lake, Wallace Lake, Grand Ecore Visitor Center, and the J. Bennett Johnston Waterway Regional Visitor Center. The annual attendance at these areas has totaled almost 2 million visitors.