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Call for Volunteers: Operation Clean Sweep Coming up on August 28, 2010

Wednesday, 04 August 2010
Contact: Marguerite Elicone (619) 686-6222

Calling all volunteers! The San Diego Port Tenants Association needs your help cleaning San Diego Bay and the tidelands surrounding it. Operation Clean Sweep, the annual cleanup event sponsored by the Port's tenants, will take place Saturday, August 28, 2010, from 8 to 11 a.m.

Video recap of Operation Clean Sweep 2009

This year's cleanup will focus on the Paradise Creek Marsh (map), located near Pier 32 Marina in National City. There will also be a cleanup nearby at Pepper Park and the shoreline near the National City Marine Terminal. For families with young children, the Pepper Park cleanup is ideal. Registration for this area is at Pier 32 Marina, 3201 Marina Way, National City.

Once again, there will be an intensive cleanup at Chollas Creek. Although Chollas Creek technically isn't part of the Port of San Diego tidelands, it flows into San Diego Bay. This area is often littered with heavy debris such as shopping carts, tires and mattresses. This cleanup will begin at 7:00 a.m. and volunteers are encouraged to wear work boots. Since the area involves heavy cleaning, only those 18 and older will be allowed to participate.

Photo slideshow of Operation Clean Sweep 2009

Divers are also needed to help clean the waters of San Diego Bay. Volunteer divers from the Navy, Coast Guard and Harbor Police will work with civilian divers to clean the bay near the San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina and the former A-8 anchorage near the Sweetwater Channel in National City. Divers should meet at the Marriott's marina at 7 a.m. or at the Pepper Park launch ramp (map) at 7 a.m.

All volunteers will be treated to lunch at the Treasure Junk Hunt Party, which takes place from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Pepper Park. The party will feature family entertainment and prizes for the most unusual trash.

This year's cleanup is produced by the San Diego Port Tenants Association and sponsored by San Diego Gas & Electric, the Port of San Diego, Manchester Grand Hyatt and many other tenant businesses. All volunteers must complete a waiver prior to joining the cleanup. Once the waiver is turned in, volunteers will be given an Operation Clean Sweep t-shirt. The shirt is necessary for admittance to the Treasure Junk Hunt Party. Trash bags will be provided, but volunteers should bring their own gloves.

For more information on Operation Clean Sweep, or to become a sponsor of the event, visit the San Diego Port Tenants Association website.