The annual Missouri River/Lake Sharpe Cleanup event at Pierre and Fort Pierre will be held today (July 10, 2024) from 5-8pm.
Paul Lepisto with the Izaak Walton League says cleanup will be coordinated out of Downs Marina at Griffin Park in Pierre.
Cleanup volunteer Bret Afdahl says people are needed to help pick up litter and trash from up and down the river.
Afdahl says this will be the 14th Pierre-Fort Pierre Missouri River Cleanup.
Lepisto encourages anyone who has seen large items in or along the Missouri River and Lake Sharpe to let them know ahead of time so they can send the right equipment and number of people to clean it up.
Lepisto will be retiring later this year. Afdahl says he’s been the driving force behind this cleanup effort, coordinating all of the various people, businesses and equipment involved.
Volunteers are asked to register for the cleanup starting at 4:30pm in Griffin Park in Pierre. Additional boats and pontoons are also needed for the cleanup. To register in advance, contact Lepisto at 605-220-1219 or email [email protected].
Volunteers are invited to a picnic supper following the cleanup.
Volunteers:
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will get dirty so wear work-appropriate clothing
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wear durable shoes or boots– no flip flops or sandals
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can bring work gloves and make sure you have sunglasses and sunscreen
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life jackets, gloves and trash bags provided for the volunteers
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those who want to go out on the water and have their own life jacket, should bring it with them
The Missouri River/Lake Sharpe Cleanup is coordinated by the Izaak Walton League, South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the US Army Corps of Engineers and the cities of Pierre and Fort Pierre. Many other businesses and organizations also contribute to the cleanup.
