Adopt A Ramp

Over the past few years, we have recognized that two lake sweep events are not enough to combat the amount of littering that occurs at the public boat ramps. In 2021, FOLKS launched a pilot Adopt-a-Ramp program that is like the Adopt-an-Island (i.e. Island Keepers) program. We request volunteers to, once a month or more, visit the ramp they have agreed to adopt and pick up the litter around the beach, picnic, and ramps areas and place the litter in the trash cans/dumpsters. If the trash receptacles are full, they can notify FOLKS and we in turn will notify Duke Energy so that arrangements can be made for the trash cans to be emptied. To date, Adopt-a-Ramp has been very successful and FOLKS is planning to expand the program in 2022. We will need new volunteer groups to take up this new initiative. Click HERE to fill out your Adpot-A-Ramp Report.

 

Lake Sweeps

There is a week set aside in the spring and fall for the event. About 100 boats go out and collect whatever trash they find along their designated section of the 370 mile shoreline.

The large plastic bags are provided by Duke Energy. The location of any very large items is reported to Duke Energy Lake Services (DELS) and they have a contractor pick up these large pieces. The bags collected by the volunteers are dropped off at the closest Duke Energy Access Area and are collected by their maintenance employees.Most of the trash comes from packaging for picnics, diapers, broken plastic rafts, and some “unmentionables”. Hundreds of bags are collected each year and the total since 1994 ranges up into the tens of thousands!

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FOLKS is always looking for additional volunteers for Lake Sweep as it is vital to keep the thousands of pounds of trash out of this beautiful lake. Trash affects not only the beauty of being on Lake Keowee but can damage boats and is harmful to fish.

 

It's another service provided by FOLKS to the people of Oconee and Pickens county to help maintain the single most valuable asset of this area. Please join us!
 

ADOPT AN ISLAND

The Adopt an Island program began in December 2009 with a grant check presented to then President Bill Graham and Idea Champion, Jack Lewis. The funding provided for producing new aluminum island signs which were “planted” in concrete by a group of volunteers led by Jack. The GPS coordinates of the Island number signs were given to DNR as well as the Oconee County Marine Patrol so boaters having a problem could cite the island number nearby and the patrols would know where to go to assist. Although not official navigation aids, they do help boaters get around the lake.

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Individuals and HOA’s volunteered to adopt islands and the program was off to a good start. However we are always in need of additional volunteers as others retire from the project. The individuals or group check the island during the official lake sweeps and at least two more times a year as needed. One of the issues is that people are not aware that islands are only for day use and no fires are allowed.

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Please consider calling the FOLKS’ office at 882-3655 to find out about adopting an island near you. There are still several islands that need to be adopted! Adopt An Island Report Form  - print form, fill out and drop off at FOLKs or email it to FOLKS@KeoweeFolks.org

OR you can fill out the Island Keeping Report Form on line HERE.

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WATER TESTING

FOLKS has joined with Adopt A Stream and Clemson University to enable our members to get certified and do source water testing throughout the region. Join your neighbors in helping keep Lake Keowee clean, clear, safe and beautiful!

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THE SENTINEL

FOLKS always needs help with writing, editing, layout, production liaison, mailing, and soliciting advertising. The Sentinel is an excellent publication with a focused demographic of lakeside residents -- an advertiser's dream!

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Committees

FOLKS has various committees that always needs volunteers including Membership, Legislative, Public Relations, Ombudsman, and Fundraising.