FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. -- The timing could not be more perfect as the staff of the Storm Water Program of Fort Campbell's Directorate of Public Works, Environmental Division, prepare to host Project Clean Streams in observance of the 49th anniversary of Earth Day.

Grab your gloves and sturdy shoes and join the DPW staff 8:30 a.m.-noon April 26 for the 11th annual clean-up project that begins with registration at Wohali Pavilion near Lake Taal.

Once registered, volunteers will be given a safety brief, be divided into groups and assigned a team leader.

Over the years, Project Clean Streams volunteers have included Soldiers, Department of the Army civilians, as well as people from the surrounding communities. Together volunteers have joined forces with DPW to pick up trash and improve the quality of Fort Campbell's natural spaces, specifically the waterways.

Fort Campbell's waterways -- Lake Taal, Lake Kyle, Fletcher's Fork and West Fork -- are directly impacted by storm water drainage.

Fort Campbell has a separate storm sewer system from the surrounding communities. Any refuse that is disposed of on the ground or in waterways eventually ends up in the aquifer. The clean-up effort ensures Fort Campbell's waterways remain free from these pollutants.

During the 2018 Project Clean Streams clean-up DPW staff and volunteers found discarded furniture, boxes, Styrofoam, carpet, flooring, alcohol containers and packaging from meals ready to eat scattered along the tree line near Lake Kyle. In total, 755 pounds of litter, including 665 pounds of trash, 10 pounds of plastic, 30 pounds of glass, 10 pounds of aluminum cans, 20 pounds of scrap metal and 20 pounds of waste oil were collected.

The trash that is collected is separated and usually half of what is gathered is sent to be recycled, said Dan Etson, DPW Environmental Division director.

In the event of inclement weather Project Clean Streams will be rescheduled.

Everyone is invited to volunteer in the Project Clean Streams clean-up effort. This is a Family- and unit-friendly event. Large parties of volunteers and those with questions about the event should call 270-798-7470.

In addition to removing trash from the waterways, Project Clean Streams serves as an educational opportunity for participants, Easton said.

"We are able to show [participants] what happens to materials that gets casually thrown out," he said.

For those who may not be able to join the clean-up but want to do their part in the installation's recycling effort, Fort Campbell's Recycling and Convenience Center, 6802 A Shau Valley Road, is open 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturdays, and noon-4 p.m. Sundays. Additionally, there are three drop off stations located near Dolan Pool at Gate 1, by the Exchange and in front of Dreyer Field House.

The Qualified Recycling Program at Fort Campbell brings in some $2 million each year through recycling waste products like paper and metal. That money is then returned to the community in the form of projects like the post's walking trails as well as events like the Fourth of July Fireworks display.

For more information, call 270-798-5695.