The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Mill Creek Partnership will host the second annual Mill Creek Cleanup Day on Aug. 13.
Mill Creek watershed residents are invited to clean up their properties and bring the collected items to the Bleiblerville Volunteer Fire Department at 3912 Farm-to-Market Road 2502. Trash will be accepted from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“Everyone living in the watershed is invited to participate, and that includes properties with and without Mill Creek running through them as long as they are within the watershed,” said Evgenia Spears, Ph.D., Mill Creek Watershed coordinator.
Verification of eligibility is required when dropping off trash; participants must show proof of residence, such as their driver’s license or utility bill.
To check if a property is in the Mill Creek watershed area, individuals should contact Spears at 979-845-2862 or millcreek@ag.tamu.edu.
No hazardous waste, closed drums, asbestos, freon-containing refrigeration equipment, batteries, tires or items containing mercury, lead and acid will be accepted.
Watershed protection plan
The Mill Creek Watershed Protection Plan was developed by local stakeholders to address the elevated levels of E. coli bacteria in Mill Creek. Since its acceptance by the Environmental Protection Agency in 2015, this plan has guided public outreach and education to restore and protect water quality in Mill Creek.
“The Cleanup Day is part of the implementation of the Mill Creek Watershed Protection Plan, allowing local residents to make a difference by removing and properly disposing of trash and unwanted items from their properties,” said Spears.
Community success, support and partnerships
The first Mill Creek Cleanup Day resulted in the removal of 600 pounds of trash from the watershed.
“The impact of our work continues to grow with the increasing support this effort has received from the community,” Spears said.
The cleanup day is sponsored by Vacha Services, Texas Ranch Rolloffs, Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative, San Bernard Electric Co-op, Industry Telephone Company, Bleiblerville Volunteer Fire Department, Brenham H-E-B, Capital Farm Credit, Lonestar Prestress, Industry State Bank, Washington County Environmental Health Office, and the Texas Soil and Water Conservation Districts in Austin and Washington counties.
“We are overwhelmed with the generous support from our sponsors and partners and are excited to bring this event to the watershed community,” Spears said.
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