Haywood Waterways creates jobs to clean up Helene litter
Crews will conduct cleanups across private and public land, along and within the waterways, using boats and barges during the warm weather months. Donated photo
After Tropical Storm Fred moved through Western North Carolina in 2021, litter cleanup throughout the East Fork and downstream along the Pigeon River was an unfunded effort, leaving local responsibility on the backs of property owners, volunteers and programs like Adopt-a-Stream.
Larger woody debris and hazardous material removal was led by Haywood County Soil & Water Conservation District, with the program nearing completion just as Helene arrived.
As was the case post-Fred, no immediate funding was available to conduct litter cleanups after Helene moved through the region. Haywood Waterways Association pitched the need to several partners and found an opportunity with Southwestern Commission and the Haywood County NCWorks Career center.
A program was developed to hire individuals impacted by Helene (reduced income, lost jobs, etc.) to conduct litter cleanups and streambank plantings across the county for the next 12 to 24 months, at $25 per hour, part or full time. As of mid-December HWA has hired eight individuals and is working with towns, the county and various agencies to grow the program over the next few months.
The crews will conduct cleanups across private and public land, along and within the waterways, using boats and barges during the warm weather months.
This is an ongoing effort, as is the hiring process. Anyone interested in working picking up litter for $25 per hour (paid weekly) can call the NCWorks Career Center in Waynesville at 828.456.6061 and ask about the Haywood Waterways job opportunity. Equipment will be provided.
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Anyone interested in having the HWA Cleanup Crew clean up their property can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., subject line “Cleanup” and they will send someone to scout the property, followed by a scheduled cleanup.
More information about the organization can be found at haywoodwaterways.org or by contacting them at 828.476.4667 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
