U.S.D.A. Forest Service officials at the Cherokee National Forest announced that during March there will be cleanup days for the Tellico River and the Hiwassee River. These annual events have been well attended and help keep these specials rivers clean and beautiful.
The Tellico River Cleanup Day is set for Saturday, March 9. Registration will be from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at the Tellico Ranger Station.
Participants are encouraged to wear long sleeve shirts as well as sturdy shoes or boots. Gloves and trash bags will be provided. Event participants will be treated to hot dogs, homemade chili and other side dishes from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the North River Checking Station located on Tellico River Road just below Green Cove. TWRA will offer tours of the Pheasant Field Fish Hatchery for event participants. This event is being sponsored by the Forest Service, the Tennessee Valley Authority, Trout Unlimited, Chattanooga Trout Association, Keep Monroe Beautiful, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and Starr Mountain Outfitters of Etowah. For more information contact Mary Jane Burnette at 423 253-8413.
The Hiwassee River Cleanup Day is scheduled for Saturday, March 23. Event participants will meet at the Ocoee/Hiwassee State Park Office at 9:00 a.m. located on Spring Creek Road north of the Hiwassee River and east off Highway 411. The turn off from Highway 411 is signed and is approximately six miles north of Benton and five miles south of Etowah. Participants should bring long sleeve shirts, thick leather gloves and wear boots or sturdy shoes and safety glasses. Trash bags will be provided. A cookout hosted by Trout Unlimited will be held afterwards for event participants. The event is sponsored by the USDA Forest Service, Tennessee State Parks, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Tennessee Valley Authority, Trout Unlimited, Starr Mountain Outfitters of Etowah, and in conjunction with the Springtown Community Support Group cleanup. For more information contact Bo Reynolds at 423 338-3319.