Big Sweep effort needs volunteers

Volunteers are needed to help clean up the New River during the New River Big Sweep, which will be held this Saturday from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Big Sweep takes place during an International Coastal Clean-up Day. This day is designated for volunteers throughout the world to help pick up litter along beaches and waterways. North Carolina Big Sweep has extended this cleanup to the state's inland waterways for more than 15 years.

The National Committee for the New River (NCNR) is helping to organize volunteers for the cleanup in Alleghany, Ashe and Watauga counties along the south fork, north fork and main stem of the New River.

"Every year NCNR conducts the project in the New River basin to help keep the scenic New River beautiful," an NCNR news release said. "It's important for citizens who spend time on the river to help take responsibility for keeping it clean and to keep it enjoyable for all. Litter along the New River not only ruins its scenic splendor, but it can also be harmful to human health and wildlife. Litter can also hurt the local economy, as businesses and tourists often do not like to come to a place where there is unsightly litter along with related pest and odor problems."

Last year during the Big Sweep, more than 250 volunteers participated in the three county area.

Overall, they cleaned up 8.3 tons of trash from 63 miles of New River waterways, including 274 tires.

Also picked up were items ranging from home appliances to car parts to shopping carts.

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