3609 Hwy 24 (Ocean) | Newport, North Carolina 28570

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 4, 2001

Sally Steele, NCCF
252-393-8185 or252-393-8185

Connie Asero, CCCKC
252-736-6841 ext 155

Big Sweep Planned for White Oak

     White Oak River  – Canoers, kayakers, hikers and nature lovers in general are invited to join, what is billed as the "biggest clean up of the White Oak River ever." More than 100 volunteers from area clubs and groups are expected on Saturday, September 15 to clean the waters, shoreline and surrounding properties from Maysville to Swansboro. The clean up is held in conjunction with North Carolina's Big Sweep and will include volunteers from the White Oak River Chapter of the Izaak Walton League, the Crystal Coast Canoe and Kayak Club, the North Carolina Paddle Trails Association, and the North Carolina Coastal Federation.
     "Additional volunteers are needed and welcomed," says Connie Asero, CCCKC President. "The more volunteers we have, the more we can clean." And there's no shortage of clean up sites. Elmer Eddy, local White Oak River expert, has identified more than a dozen areas surrounding the river in need of attention.
     In addition to sprucing up the area, the Big Sweep is an excellent opportunity to show community support for the White Oak River. This support will be critical to a recent initiative begun by the Croatan National Forest and the NC Coastal Federation to obtain Wild and Scenic River designation.
     "Designation, explains, NCCF Executive Director, Todd Miller, would bring national recognition to the natural wonders of the river. Through this effort, we hope to protect the pristine qualities of the river so that we may all enjoy the river for generations to come."
     The White Oak River Big Sweep begins at 8:00 a.m. and ends at noon. Volunteers are then invited to bring a picnic lunch and share "fish stories" of their clean up from noon to 2 p.m. at Boon Docks in Stella. Prizes will be awarded for the most unusual items found.
     Kayakers, canoers and boaters may sign up by calling Ms. Asero at 252-726-6841 ext.155 or 252-247-9265. Land-lovers may call the NC Coastal Federation at 252-393-8185 to sign up.

The North Carolina Coastal Federation (NCCF) is the state's largest nonprofit organization working to restore and protect the coast. NCCF headquarters are located at 3609 Highway 24 in Ocean between Morehead City and Swansboro and are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5 pm. The headquarters include NCCF's main offices, the Cape Lookout Coastkeeper office, a gift shop, Nature Library, Weber Seashell Exhibit, ShoreKeeper Learning Center, and adjoining nature trail. The NCCF also operates field offices in Wilmington and Manteo. For more information call 252-393-8185 or check out NCCF's website at www.nccoast.org.