LOW Keep it Clean campaign

[Lee Borgersen]

  (Released February 14, 2013)



 Lake of the Woods ‘Keep it Clean’ campaign underway


A campaign to clean up Lake of the Woods after the ice fishing season is making a difference, organizers said.
Spurred by trailers full of garbage and debris hauled away from the Zippel Bay State Park shoreline following last year’s ice fishing season, a group of stakeholders within Lake of the Woods County created the campaign, “Keep it Clean.”

The aim of the campaign is to protect, maintain and promote cleanliness for the landscape, water resources and shoreline of the lake in northern Minnesota as a special place for everyone to enjoy, said Joe Henry, Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau.

“Already, the fact that people are simply talking about it, the awareness and the amount of garbage we are seeing in the dumpsters shows the campaign is working,” Henry said. “We will better realize the effect of the campaign once the ice goes out.”

In addition to education, awareness and enforcement, five dumpsters with the “Keep It Clean” logo have been placed at strategic access points along the shore of the lake.

Reports of debris on Minnesota’s waterways are common this time of the year, with everything from bags of assorted garbage to propane cylinders discarded on the ice.

Litter is a misdemeanor with a fine of up to $1,000. State conservation officers also have solid waste civil citation authority. These civil citations are “by the pound” or “by the cubic foot” penalties, and since they are not criminal charges, they don’t require proof beyond a reasonable doubt. The person suspected of littering must pay the penalty and clean up the mess.

State Conservation Officer Jeff Birchem of Baudette has been involved with the Lake of the Woods initiative and wants everyone to properly dispose of used materials with refuse haulers or at a landfill. Litter tarnishes nature’s beauty, destroys wildlife habitats and ruins many opportunities for recreation, he said.

The groups involved with the program hope it spreads statewide, Birchem said.

“We have dumpsters out and have done numerous other educational projects to get this going,” he said. “One of our hopeful outcomes is that other parts of the state might pick up on it.”

The “Keep It Clean” initiative includes representatives from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Lake of the Woods Soil and Water Conservation District, Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau, Lake of the Woods County and Friends of Zippel Bay State Park.

The DNR offers the following tips to keep Minnesota waterways clea

■Set an example for others, especially children, by not littering.
■Properly dispose of any materials that could trap or injure wildlife.
■Check with a local refuse provider or landfill for disposal of household items.
■Have a litter bag or trash container when traveling or outdoors.
■Secure trash container covers to prevent wind or animals from spreading litter.
■Cover and secure any vehicle, truck, or trailer carrying refuse.
■When visiting any recreation area, make sure to leave the area clean for the next person to enjoy.