As Santa Clara County residents, we are fortunate to live and work in one of the most beautiful parts of the Bay Area. Our county is nicely nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the redwood forests to our west, the San Francisco Bay to the North, and the rolling hills and mountains to the east. Most of us take pride in living in harmony with nature, respecting both the environment and our neighbors.
Unfortunately, not everyone feels the same way. Litter poses a major threat to our local waterways. Fast food packaging, cigarette butts and other litter along the county’s roads is not only awful to look at, but also it affects our local creeks and streams. During the rainy season, this litter is swept off the roadways and into storm drains that flow directly to local waterways. This leads to threats to local fish and wildlife and the quality of our water. Also, accumulation of litter along with broken tree limbs and erosion in local creeks and streams leads to a decrease in flood protection.
Fortunately, there is something you can do to help. One major way to get involved and make a difference is to volunteer for National River Cleanup Day, held on Saturday, May 15, 2010, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Each year, National River Cleanup Day is organized locally by the Creek Connections Action Group, a consortium of public agencies and non-profit organizations that share a goal of protecting Santa Clara County's waterways. These agencies include the Santa Clara Valley Water District, Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation, and the City of San José.
To sign up, visit www.cleanacreek.org or call (408) 265-2607, ext. 2739.