Stream Clean Up

The Friends of the Patapsco Valley Heritage Greenway will join volunteers from Constellation Energy for a stream clean-up of Miller Branch in Catonsville, just off of Route 40 behind the Mercedes Benz dealership located at 6631 Baltimore National Pike, Baltimore, 21228.
 
This is a feeder stream that stretches for about 1¼ miles behind the dealership and runs parallel to Baltimore National Pike. The stream path is primarily east to west and empties directly into the Patapsco River at Patapsco State Park, Holofield. It is dammed at numerous locations with plastic bags, street litter and a wide variety of items that include empty barrels, tires, bottles, packaging materials, boxes, Styrofoam, and litter thrown from passing vehicles. The General Manager of the Mercedes Benz dealership has graciously agreed to allow us to park in their large fenced-in "green lot" (it really is a parking lot with a green fence) on the west end of their property. We will gather around 12:00 noon, enjoy a brief safety talk by Jim Howard, Manager of Health & Safety at Constellation Energy and then the fun (or work depending on your perspective) begins!
 
We are hoping for 40+ volunteers to arrange in two teams working in separate directions. There is opportunity for both light duty and more laborious trash removal on a trail, along a sloping and steep bank as well as in the stream. We will ask one team to work east which is the most highly concentrated area of scattered litter. Once gathered, full trash bags can be carried or wheel barrowed about 400 yards to a pick up site along side of the Caldron Crafts store. The other team will work west where there is lightly scattered trash such as plastic bags and bottles and an abundance of fast food wrappers.
 
Register on our website at:  www.patapscoheritagegreenway.org/eventcal.html
 
What to Wear:
 Rugged work shoes or hiking boots (this is especially important for walking the banks as they become steep in some areas);
 
Waders or high water proof boots: (there are plastic bags and other trash "damming" the water flow at numerous locations; water is only about 3" to 10" deep);

Leather work gloves are recommended for heavier debris if you have them; we do have a supply of cloth gloves;

Long pants and long sleeve shirts (there is much deadfall, low hanging vines and branches and prickly rose bushes throughout);
 
We also recommend your own sunscreen and insect repellent, particularly if you have sensitive skin. If you are allergic to insect bites or stings, please bring any needed medications and notify the stream captain of your allergy.
 
Hat and protective eyewear are suggested but optional depending on the weather.
 
What we need if you have them (please label):
1.     Wheelbarrows
2.    Shovels
3.    Clippers
4.    Garden Shears
 
What to Know:
 
1.     The closest public access bathrooms are located about 3 miles away in Patapsco State Park; however, the Caldron Crafts store has graciously agreed to allow a volunteer or two to use theirs in the event of an urgent calling.
2.    We will begin and end on time to respect people's time.
3.    Volunteers will be from various organizations including PHG, Constellation Energy, local community colleges and universities, civic and community groups - so make new friends!
4.    You are welcome to bring your family and friends. Children under 16 are welcome if they are supervised and accompanied by an adult volunteer; please note that no child care services are available.

Contact Information:

If you have any questions, please email Stream Captain Susan Kane, Volunteer Maryland Coordinator, at patapsogal@gmail.com.  Hope to see you there!