Great Lake Allatoona Cleanup

In 2008, the Great Lake Allatoona Cleanup drew over 3800 volunteers from all over Metropolitan Atlanta.  Over 24 tons of trash was collected from over 250 miles of shoreline.  Join us on September 12, 2009 for another great opportunity to learn about environmental stewardship, first hand.

Lake Allatoona is one of the most visited U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) projects in the nation with over six million visitors in 2004. The close proximity to Atlanta and expanding urbanization has become a heavy burden on the lake and its resources. Rapid development in the area and increasing visitation to the lake only strengthens the need for this environmental and educational conservation partnership.

The Great Lake Allatoona Cleanup (GLAC) had been created in 1986 to serve a twofold purpose, first to serve as a hands on educational experience for the public awareness of harmful effects that litter and waste can have on their natural resources, secondly, to clean the shoreline of tons of trash and debris, protecting the environment and its resources, and saving thousands of tax payer’s dollars. Since that time, the partnerships with organizations and businesses has expanded as the role of the cleanup becomes ever more important.

This first of a kind in Georgia, has become the model for others to follow.

Over the past few years, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Allatoona Project has had significant cutbacks in their budgets. The importance and impact of this 23 year old event could have been in jeopardy if change did not occur.

In 1999, the Georgia State Legislature created the Lake Allatoona Preservation Authority (LAPA) to “restore; preserve and protect” the water quality of Lake Allatoona. Over the past few years, LAPA and the Corps have worked together on a number of projects to accomplish this mission. This year, the Corps has asked LAPA to take over the logistics and operations of the Great Lake Allatoona Cleanup.

The partnership between LAPA; USACE; Corporate Sponsor; Marinas; Scouting Groups; Boaters; Civic Organizations and others will come together on September 12, 2009 for the 24th Annual Great Lake Allatoona Cleanup.

You can help by volunteering as an individual or group by submitting the form on the Volunteer page or contacting the GLAC Coordinator, Erin Chavda at (678) 801-4010 or Ron Papaleoni at (678) 801-4011.