North Carolina

DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION

Jim Hunt, Governor                                                    Theodis Beck, Secretary

Tracy Little, Director of Public Information                                                                   (919) 716-3700

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 14, 2000

Offenders Help Clean Waterways

Offenders around the state will be helping clean up the state’s waterways when they participate Saturday, Sept. 16, in the N.C. Big Sweep for Litter-Free Waters.

"This project is the latest in the Department of Correction’s efforts to devote its resources and energies to improve and preserve the state’s environment," said Secretary Theodis Beck. "Using offenders to help beautify our state helps us reach Gov. Hunt’s goal that every able-bodied inmate work and it also allows offenders to do something positive for our communities."

The purpose of North Carolina Big Sweep 2000 is to remove litter from waterways in all 100 counties in the state. Big Sweep 2000 is the North Carolina component of the International Coastal Cleanup – a global effort to rid the earth’s waterways of debris.

Among the locations where offenders will be participating are:

Asheville- Ten inmates from Black Mountain Correctional Center for Women will be picking up trash on the French Broad River near Amboy Road. For more information contact Officer Humphrey at 828-669-9165.

Elizabeth City- Twenty-four inmates from Pasquotank Correctional Institution have volunteered to pick up trash in three different areas. They will be on the Little River near Simons Creek Bridge, along Newbegun Creek and Sawmill Road and Newbegun Creek and Weeksville Road. For more information contact Sgt. Anton Skinner at 252-331-4881.

Hoffman- Sixty trainees from IMPACT East have volunteered to work in various locations around Hoffman. For more information contact Colonel John Taylor at 910-281-5156.

Morganton- 50 trainees from IMPACT West will be on pontoon boats and along banks on Lake James and Lake Rhodhiss. For more information contact Sgt. Kent Southard at 828-439-2319.

Salisbury- Ten inmates from Rowan Correctional Center will be picking up trash at Dutch Second Creek Wildlife Access, which is off Bringle Ferry Road at High Rock Lake. For more information contact Elizabeth Laycock at 704-639-7552.

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