Residents clear trash from El Dorado Beach on Saturday.         Photo/Clean Tahoe

By Ellen Nunes

With Saturday marking the 25th anniversary of the California Coastal Cleanup Day, residents of the South Shore did their part to ensure Lake Tahoe and its tributaries are much cleaner.

Unseasonably warm weather was enjoyed by the 146 local volunteers who ranged in age from 18 months to 74 years. They helped to move 1,546 pounds of trash and 441 pounds of recyclables from the 15 locations chosen for the three-hour cleanup.

Past Coastal Cleanup Day data tells us that the majority of what is picked up on the South Shore is thousands of cigarette butts, and this year was no exception. Volunteers voiced their disgust for those who carelessly left them behind. Micro trash continues to be epidemic in our beautiful mountain town.

In Blackwood Meadows, an environmentally sensitive area and a hot spot for illegal dumping, 720 pounds of debris were removed. Last year 1,230 pounds was extracted, so we are seeing some improvement in this location. Trash included couches, tires, wood scraps, mattresses, doors, a bike and a bong.

With 65 percent of the cleanup sites in California reporting to the Coastal Commission, the statewide count stands at 66,550 volunteers and is expected to reach the event goal of 70,000. Those volunteers picked up 819,394 pound of trash and an additional 89,899 pounds of recyclable materials for a total of 909,294 pounds. The Coastal Commission expects to exceed 1 million pounds of trash when all of the totals are in.

Coordinating staff from the Clean Tahoe Program would like to thank Cait and Kelly from the Stateline Starbucks, who not only brought the great java, but joined in the cleanup efforts with the other 144 volunteers. With many coming from out of town to join the locals in this statewide effort, it is a wonderful example of what can be accomplished when caring individuals come together for a cause.

Ellen Nunes runs Clean Tahoe in South Lake Tahoe. She may be reached at (530) 544.4210.