Shellfish harvesters clean up marine debris in Quahog Bay during a conservation day. The town is organizing a Coastal Cleanup Day on Sept. 23 to keep Harpswell’s 216 miles of shoreline clean. (Paul Plummer photo)
Harpswell will hold a Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday, Sept. 23, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
While marine debris is typically the responsibility of landowners, on this day, the town will facilitate a collection and drop-off of marine debris to keep its 216 miles of shoreline and its inland waters clean.
Participants may accumulate marine debris in advance or collect it on the day of the event, then drop it off at the Harpswell Transfer Station or at one of three pickup locations: Harpswell Community School, Lookout Point Town Landing, or Mackerel Cove Town Landing. Drop-off points will be marked with cones and signs.
Debris that will be accepted includes floating man-made materials, particularly plastic foam, lumber, bags and other containers.
Debris that will not be accepted includes fishing gear with a name, number or color markings; natural material, such as tree branches, seaweed and lobster shells; and household trash.
Harpswell’s Coastal Cleanup Day is part of Maine’s Coastal Cleanup, which runs through September. The state program, in existence for more than 30 years, is part of the International Coastal Cleanup.
For free disposal of debris at the Transfer Station, participants must register with Harbor Master Paul Plummer: pplummer@town.harpswell.me.us or 207-295-3149. The event is sponsored by the town’s Conservation Commission and Marine Resources Committee.
