A Clean Community Partnership

Campfire girls clean up

Litter-free shorelines and clean roadsides create economic value for Lake Martin

STORY BY JOHN THOMPSON

Lake Martin Community Works Together

Lake Martin Resource Association has been working for the Lake Martin community since 1972. Throughout the years, efforts have been made to solicit the support of volunteers, businesses, associations and other organizations that share an interest in protecting Lake Martin for future generations to love and enjoy outdoor activities. These efforts are focused on boating safety, environmental education, property protection and membership advocacy. A recent impact study revealed that Lake Martin is the economic engine for a three-county area, Tallapoosa, Coosa and Elmore. Therefore, environmental beautification and protection is critical to everyone that enjoys Lake Martin.

Renew our Rivers

LMRA has partnered with Alabama Power Company, Russell Lands, Advanced Disposal, Wind Creek State Park, TowBoat US Lake Martin, Lake magazine and Lake Martin Dock Company in the annual Renew Our Rivers cleanup of Lake Martin. Over the past 18 years, this enormous effort has removed more than 160 tons of trash from the shoreline and roadways surrounding Lake Martin. Additionally, more than 1,000 automotive tires have been removed and recycled. This event is usually scheduled in early November when the lake level is at winter pool, making it easier for volunteers to remove litter.

Treasured Mile

The Treasured Mile Program is a partnership program established by the LMRA with sponsorship from Russell Lands and Alabama Power Company that allows for recreational, volunteer public participation in controlling litter year-round at Lake Martin by adopting a shoreline segment or adopting an APC owned island.

Individuals, families, educational institutions, houses of worship, organizations, civic groups, youth groups and businesses are all invited to adopt a section of shoreline or an APC island in order to help control litter and maintain these areas to provide beauty and openness for the benefit of the public and also assist in providing for a cleaner, healthier and more attractive recreational environment at Lake Martin.

This program has been a tremendous success and has helped keep Lake Martin shoreline litter-free yearround.

LMRA has also worked to develop a Clean Community Partnership approach to address roadside litter.

Clean Community Partnership

In an effort to get more volunteer involvement and build pride within the community, partnerships have been formed, which include the chambers of commerce in both Alexander City and Dadeville, as well as the utility departments in both cities, Russell Lands, County Commissioners Steve Robinson and John McKelvey, Lake Martin Tourism, Tallapoosa County Tourism, LMRA and many volunteers. The focus of this group is to establish community roadside cleanups on a regular basis. This initiative has resulted in the creation of regularly scheduled cleanups, which include a First Saturday cleanup in Dadeville, a Third Saturday cleanup in Alexander City, community cleanups in Commissioner John McKelvey’s district and a 63 Pride Drive cleanup on state Highway 63, which is considered the gateway to Lake Martin.

Lake Martin Community Pride

Clean, litter-free lake shorelines combined with clean roadsides create tremendous economic value for the Lake Martin community. In addition, locals want visitors and investors to drive through a clean environment that demonstrates the pride residents have in the community. Everyone can play a part by being a good citizen and participating in a cleanup. Information on scheduled cleanups can be found in all TPI publications or follow the social media pages for Clean Community Partnership, Lake Martin Tourism and Tallapoosa County Tourism.

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