Volunteers gear up for Lake Union cleanup

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Volunteers who gather each year to clean accumulated junk and garbage out of South Lake Union and Portage Bay call it "trophy trash."

It's stuff such as car batteries and television sets, loaded with lead and other heavy metals, that get carelessly dumped into the lake.

The volunteers collect tons of plastic, paper, fast-food containers and cigarette butts from the water and shoreline. The trash threatens fish, ducks and beavers that depend on the waterway.

"Despite its urban industrial character, Lake Union is home to an astounding amount of wildlife," said Chris Wilke of Puget Soundkeeper Alliance, who is organizing the cleanup.

"Salmon runs go through there, beaver," Wilke said. "One volunteer even saw a turtle sunning on a rock."

On Saturday, the volunteers will gather again for the annual Lake Union Sweep. Now in its fourth year, the cleanup is expected to attract than 150 volunteers, working from 9 a.m. to noon.

Paddling kayaks and other small boats, or strolling along the shoreline, volunteers will scoop up trash for waiting garbage crews to take away.

"We pile it up on the road so everyone can get a good look at it before we haul it away," Wilke said.

The hard work ends at noon with a celebration.

During its first two years, the cleanup was paid for through a grant from King County.

In recent years, businesses and merchants in the area have contributed to the effort.

Crews from the Tacoma Dragon Boat Association and the Seattle Outrigger Canoe Club are planning to participate, adding excitement and color to the event.

But the main focus will be on the volunteers, and building community awareness around preventing water pollution.

"People need to understand that this isn't just unsightly," Wilke said. "It is a water-quality problem."

WANT TO GO?

The Lake Union Sweep cleanup will happen on Lake Union and Portage Bay from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. Volunteers will meet at 9 a.m. at South Lake Union Park, 860 Terry Ave. N. If you're interested in helping out, contact Chris Wilke of Puget Soundkeeper Alliance by calling 206-297-7002 or sending e-mail to chris@pugetsoundkeeper.org. Information: www.pugetsoundkeeper.org

More headlines and info from Eastlake.