Dane County Land & Water Resources Department: Dane County’s spring shoreline trash pickup begins May 18

For More Information Contact:
Darren Marsh, Parks Director
(608) 224-3766
Erika Hotchkiss, Marketing & Outreach Coordinator
(608) 224-3762

Dane County Land and Water Resources Department is sponsoring a
Take a Stake in Our Waters Spring Cleanup event.

A shoreline trash and aquatic debris pickup from piers on the Yahara Chain of Lakes will take place starting the week of May 18, 2015. Shoreline residents are asked to have all items ready for pickup and at the end of their piers by 7:00 am on their scheduled pickup day.

According to Sue Jones of the Dane County Office of Lakes and Watersheds, the priority for this pickup is to collect debris and trash that has washed ashore this spring, and to remove hazards to navigation such as floating logs and branches. “Dane County is pleased to help shoreline residents get ready for summer recreation and enjoyment of our wonderful lakes,” said Jones.
The schedule of lake pickup dates follows:

May 18th – Monday
· Lake Mendota
· Lake Kegonsa

May 20th – Wednesday
· Lake Monona
· Lake Waubesa

Dane County Land and Water Resources barge crews will make one pass around each lake. It may take a few days for barge crews to reach each pier. Pickup is not an option for homeowners where barges are unable to access the pier. Barges need a minimum of 2 feet of water in order to access the pier. Only lake debris (trash, dead fish, etc.) and any aquatic vegetation (lake weeds, algae) will be picked up. Yard waste or brush (grass clippings, leaves, and tree limbs), household waste (garbage, pet waste, etc.) will not be collected.

Take a Stake in Our Waters, sponsored by the Dane County Lakes and Watershed Commission, is the year-round flagship of volunteerism and care for Dane County lakes, streams, wetlands and their watersheds. For a complete list of Take a Stake in Our Waters events, or to post your volunteer or educational project and invite others to join you, visit www.takeastake.org.

Dane County’s Aquatic Plant Harvesting Program will begin at the end of May and run through September. For information about the harvesting program please contact Dane County Land and Water Resources at (608) 224-3730 or visit the following website: https://www.countyofdane.com/lwrd/parks/aquatic_plant_harvesting.aspx.