EPA partners with Atlanta, local organizations to clean up Proctor Creek

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the city of Atlanta, Georgia, recently joined other local partners to launch the Proctor Creek Trash Free Waters Community Workforce Program.

“The purpose of the program is based on a simple idea: hire workers from the local community to help clean up Proctor Creek,” Director of the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability Stephanie Stuckey Benfield said. “This program will serve as a demonstration that can be duplicated in other waterways. Communities in the city core can become leaders in urban sustainability through intensive environmental education, revitalization, and job creation.”

Proctor Creek is often the site of trash and tire dumping, which contributes to bacteria levels in the creek and poor water quality in its watershed. The program, led by grassroots environmental education organization Community Improvement Association Inc., is seeking to hire 20 individuals from the local community who will be trained to undertake cleanup activities.

“EPA's Trash-Free Waters program is a wonderful tool to help the Proctor Creek community reduce trash in their waterways,” EPA Regional Water Division Director Jim Giattina said. “EPA is proud to be able to assist local efforts to transform degraded, forgotten waterways into community centerpieces that revitalize the surrounding neighborhoods.”