The Source for Navy News

Naval Station Norfolks Cleans Bay
Story Number: NNS130603-08
6/3/2013

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Molly Greendeer

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Sailors and civilians from Naval Station (NAVSTA) Norfolk participated in the 25th Annual Clean the Bay Day (CTBD), June 1.

All over Hampton Roads, more than 5,900 volunteers, including 236 active duty military personnel, removed 85 tons of trash from 300 miles of shoreline and roadway during the event, according to a preliminary count by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, which sponsored the clean-up.

"Everyone involved did an outstanding job," said Chief Boatswain's Mate Lee Gaines, event co-coordinator. "NAVSTA Sailors were charged with cleaning up the Mason Creek area on base, and we collected more than 500 pounds of trash and discarded building materials."

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation holds these events annually as part of its mission to ensure the bay has clear water, free of impacts from toxic contaminants, and with healthy oxygen levels.

"Much of the trash in our waterways comes from our streets and parking lots as storm water runoff carries it through storm drains, directly into rivers, streams and the bay," said Andrea Moran, Chesapeake Bay Foundation Hampton Roads communications director. "It is not only unsightly and unhealthy, but also poses a threat to wildlife and can block sunlight needed for underwater grasses to grow and create a healthier ecosystem."

At NAVSTA, the bay clean up began at Breezy Point Park and lasted for about three hours, with the Sailors scattering out all over the Mason Creek area to collect whatever trash and debris they could find.

"We picked up a lot of debris that was scattered all over the place," said Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Sarah Thompson, NAVSTA participant. "I felt like I did my part in making the base more beautiful."

"I like to help out the community in every way I can, so I was glad to participate," said Boatswain's Mate Seaman Jonathon Tubbard. "It was crazy to see just how much trash we had picked up after everything was loaded into the trash trucks. The bay was definitely cleaner as a result of our efforts."

CTBD event organizers said they greatly appreciated the hard work of the NAVSTA Sailors and their families and everyone else who participated.

"We at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation are always very pleased at the turned out, that so many Sailors were concerned about the quality of the water in our waterways."

Since 1989, Clean the Bay Day has engaged more than 122,000 volunteers, who have removed approximately 5.8 million pounds of debris from nearly 5,500 miles of shoreline in Virginia alone.

For more information on the Chesapeake Bay Foundation visit www.cbf.org .

For more news from Naval Station Norfolk, visit www.navy.mil/local/nsn/ .