The 19th annual Beach Sweep/River Sweep is scheduled to take place from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 15. Each year, thousands of people participate in the sweep, South Carolina's largest one-day cleanup of the state's beaches, marshes and waterways.

There are 45 public landings along the Edisto River in need of clean-up. A list and map of Edisto River access sites is located at the Friends of the Edisto Web site, http://www.edistofriends.org/edisto_access.htm.

Beach Sweep/River Sweep is a statewide event organized by the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium and the S.C. Department of Natural Resources. Anyone can participate -- individuals, families, schools, youth groups, civic and conservation clubs or businesses. All the necessary supplies are provided.

Last year, nearly 5,000 volunteers cleaned 67,000 pounds of trash from over 700 miles of public waters and shoreline in 32 counties of South Carolina. Local citizens taking action to clean waterways in their communities can make a difference.

To volunteer for the sweep: on inland waterways (rivers and lakes), call 843-953-9335; in coastal areas, call 843-953-2078. For more information, visit http://www.dnr.sc.gov/water/envaff/river/BeachSweep/index.html.

• Story special to The T&D.

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