TOLEDO, OH - Ohio's 2008 Coastweeks observance will again focus on the preservation and protection of Lake Erie and its watershed through a variety of cleanup events along the shoreline and throughout its watershed.
 
This year's observance will kick off Friday, September 12 and will run through September 21. A Coastweeks report will be presented at the annual meeting of the Ohio Lake Erie Commission on Tuesday, September 30 at the Lake Erie Nature & Science Center in Bay Village, OH.
 
Coastweeks is part of an annual nationwide effort to educate the public about protecting America's coastlines. The Ohio Lake Erie Commission coordinates the state's observance.
 
Among the cleanups slated for this year, Ohio's Coastweeks will include International Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday, September 20. It is the world's largest one-day volunteer effort to clean up coastlines and waterways. The 12th Annual Clean Your Streams Day on Saturday, September 13 and the Dive! Put-In-Bay Harbor Cleanup on South Bass Island is set for Monday, September 15.
 
Environmental organizations, schools, scout groups, clubs, community groups and individuals throughout Ohio's Lake Erie watershed are encouraged to get involved and participate in this year's Coastweeks by volunteering at one or more cleanup events.
 
Visit the Commission Web Site at http://www.epa.state.oh.us/oleo for a listing of all cleanup events or call 419-245-2514 to learn more about the Coastweeks program.
 
The Ohio Lake Erie Commission was established to preserve Lake Erie's natural resources, protect the quality of its waters and ecosystem, and promote economic development of the region. The director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources serves as the commission's chairman. Additional members include the directors of the state departments of Transportation, Health, Development, Agriculture, and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.                                                  
 
 

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