County, volunteers team up to clean up highway

The Oneida County Solid Waste Department and local volunteers are teaming up to clean up County Highway K.

“Litter on the highway is in even larger quantities this year which sparked conversations about causes and resolutions,” county solid waste department officials explained in a press release. “Many attribute large pieces of litter along the highway to vehicles with uncovered loads heading to the Oneida County Transfer Station and Recycling Center located on Highway K.”

Starting in April, the solid waste department has begun tracking license plates and vehicle descriptions of those entering the facility without covers, and issuing reminder warnings, the release states. Repeat violators will be turned over to the sheriff’s department for further action which could include citations.

In addition, new signs that remind motorists that loads must be covered, in accordance with county ordinance, will replace older signs located on both ends of Highway K and also on the entrance road to the transfer station.

“We value our customers and ask that they please respect the Solid Waste facility neighbors, as well as our beautiful Northwoods in general, by kindly covering and securing loads before driving to the facility in order to avoid any consequences from uncovered loads,” department director Lisa Bauknecht said in a press release.

In addition, the department and area community members are working together on a County Highway K cleanup day starting at 8 a.m. Saturday, May 4. The group will meet at the cross country ski trailhead just west of the transfer center.

“We see an issue and know that we need to all work together to help, so we’re coordinating our own cleanup day,” stated community member Rachel Boehlen. “Only 4 miles of the 14-mile stretch are currently adopted through the Adopt-a-Highway program. We are encouraging community members to consider adopting a portion of the highway as well as participating in the clean-up day event.”

All community members over the age of 12 are welcome to join in, the release states. For more information on the solid waste department, contact Bauknecht at [email protected] or call 715-282-4945. For more information on the cleanup, contact Boehlen at [email protected] or call 715-490-1195.

For information on the Adopt-A- Highway program, contact Jerri Cooper at the Oneida County Highway Department at [email protected] or call 715-369-6184 ext. 5.