News Flash

Many, many thanks to everyone who came out for the Ethel Drive Cleanup: Debbie Artis, Mary, Conner, Chase, and Shane Breene, Clovis Calloway, Stacey Carroll, Marian Currier, Camille Decoteau, Velva Goodman, Becky Holliday, DeAndre Littles, David Tiño (Top of the Line Riders MC) and Jaylen Oquendo, Councilwoman Teresa V. Schmidt, and Darius Swift! They were strong and determined, and they pulled a LOT of trash from these two lots. Approximately three cubic yards of bagged and loose trash (approximately 1,500 pounds of debris) and another one-to-two cubic yard of wood debris (estimated at 1,000 pounds) was hauled out of the wooded creek area. Probably another two-to-three cubic yards of trash and debris lay beyond the cleanup area. 

How does something like this happen? Floods are part of the answer. When waters rise they carry trash into the woods and when they recede they leave it - that would account for a lot of the bottles, cans, and other "street litter" that probably washed into the creek from storm drains and then floated into the woods during a flood. But there was part of a bed frame, an old bicycle, some tires, a variety of small trash cans and much more back there - clear evidence of illegal dumping. It looked like a contractor had cut up tree branches and left them lying along the creek, which would definitely add to flood risk. 

What can you do to help? NEVER LITTER! When you litter, your trash is carried through a storm drain into a creek or waterway and can end up as debris in woods, neighborhoods, and the Chesapeake Bay. IF FLOODING IS POSSIBLE, safely stow your outside belongings so they don't float away. IF A CONTRACTOR does work for you, ask for proof of disposal before finalizing the payment. If you're enjoying a walk in the woods or along a creek, please pick up trash as you go. Every bit you pick up is trash that won't cause issues later on. 

For more information contact hccc@hampton.gov or 757-727-1199.