WATER WATCHERS:
RECOGNIZING THOSE WHO KEEP OUR CREEKS CLEAN

Charlotte, NC - With more than 2,000 miles of creeks and streams in Mecklenburg County, several groups who have dedicated themselves to keeping these waterways clean will be recognized.

At its regular meeting on Tuesday, May 18, 2004, the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners will recognize five “Adopt-A-Stream” volunteer groups. The volunteers spend two weekends a year looking for pollution and picking up trash. The Board meeting begins at 6 p.m. at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center, 600 East Fourth Street, Charlotte.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s Adopt-A-Stream program is a hands-on way for residents and local businesses to get involved in improving the water quality of our local streams. Volunteer groups are assigned a section of stream that they walk at least two times a year. There are currently 72 volunteer groups participating in the Adopt-A-Stream program. Five groups from four different categories have been identified for special recognition:

· School: Central Piedmont Community College, Student Life and Biology Departments: Little Sugar Creek.

· Organizations: Boy Scout Troop #118: McAlpine Creek
         Boy Scout Troop #35: Campbell Creek

· Business: S&ME: Sugar Creek

· Overall Outstanding Group: Church of the Holy Comforter, Jr. and Sr. EYC groups: Dairy Branch and Little Hope Creeks

Anyone who is concerned about water quality can get involved in the Adopt-A-Stream program. Current volunteers include individuals, families, student organizations, youth and church groups, scout troops, civic organizations, local business and industry.

For more information about the Adopt-A-Stream program, call 704-336-5500.

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Media Contact: Alex Burnett (O) 704-432-0361 (M) 704-579-0288 or burnear@co.mecklenburg.nc.us or Kim Garrett (O) 704-336-5595 or garreks@co.mecklenburg.nc.us