(MOBILE, Ala.) - The City of Mobile has installed a brand-new litter trap to help stop the flow of trash into Mobile’s waterways.
It’s a big win for nonprofit environmental group Dog River Clearwater Revival, which has been tirelessly pushing the city to install a litter trap for five years.
After heavy rains, residents living along Mobile's waterways, namely Dog River, have voiced serious concern about large masses of trash floating by.
With galvanized steel poles, booms and a big metal cage, the approximately $36,000 system will collect garbage floating down Eslava Creek. The spot was picked because it’s a major artery of trash flowing into Dog River coming from Airport Boulevard and the Bel Air Mall area.
Dog River Clearwater Revival said they’ve raised more than $100,000 for litter traps through grants and fundraising, but the city has been reluctant to install one. The group even threatened legal action against the city following fines handed down by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management, citing violations of the Clean Water Act.
A public works official told Local 15 they’ve been reluctant to install a litter trap, because of the budget crunch and how much manpower it would take to maintain.
Dog River Clearwater Revival said they want to monitor the system over the next few months to see how it works. Depending on its effectiveness, they would like to possibly install two more in other creeks.
