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Idaho Transportation
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P.O. Box 7129
Boise, ID 83707
208.334.8005
Fax: 208.334.8563

 


Pocatello couple, Preston Rotary Club
recognized for Adopt-A-Highway cleanup efforts

Jack and Monica Naylor saw a large swath of the United States when they ventured west several years ago. Their travel, and eventual relocation to Pocatello, took them from coast to coast. They saw well-kept, clean highway corridors and those that suffered from neglect.

So when they moved to Idaho, they made a personal commitment to do what they can to keep their piece of heaven clear of highway litter. They adopted a two-mile stretch of Interstate 15 near Pocatello (from milepost 43 to 45) and try to clean up the highway shoulders at least three times a year.

Much for the same reasons, members of the Preston Rotary Club conduct regular campaigns to clean U.S. 91 between mileposts 4 and 6.

For their commitment to highway cleanup and improving the environment in which they live, the Naylors and members of the Rotary Club were honored as District 5 Adopt-A-Highway small and large groups of the year.

The Idaho Transportation Board, led by District 5 member Neil Miller, presented framed certificates and clocks made from sample Idaho license plates to the Naylors and Rotary Club Wednesday. The special presentation came during the board’s May business meeting, at the District 5 office in Pocatello.

“After seeing the beautiful country side of the United States from coast to coast, and also seeing the trash along its highways they decided to do their part in helping keep some of our area picked up,” explains Sharon Short, the district’s Adopt-A-Highway coordinator.
 
“They enjoy keeping the highway clean, and it is also great exercise.  The walking and bending is great for the body.”
 
Although they do not pick up dead animals or anything that looks hazardous, they have found some interesting things along during their regular cleaning, such as underwear (both men's and women's) diapers, bungee cords, tires, remnants of tires, and normal litter like cans and fast food trash.

“The most interesting thing they found was a $5 bill,” Short said. “Jack thought someone must have felt guilty and decided to leave a tip.”
 
Although the Naylors are a group of just two, last year they picked up 2,965 pounds of trash. “ I think that is quite an accomplishment,” Short said.
 
The Preston Rotary Club was selected as the district’s large group of the year. Members have cleaned U.S. 91 the past decade. Outings attract between 10 ad 20 volunteers.

They try to do their cleanup twice a year – in the spring and fall, Short explains.

“They have found many interesting items while cleaning over the years, such as tools, very ‘questionable items’ if you know what I mean, plus the usual junk. I believe once they even found a small amount of cash. They often have a lot of youth that help, including their own children and kids from local church groups.”
 
In 2009, the volunteers removed 2,450 pounds from their adopted two-mile section.

ITD’s statewide Adopt-A-Highway program organizes the cleaning of Idaho roadsides by volunteer groups. Those groups “adopt” a specific stretch of highway – usually two miles long – and take responsibility for keeping it clean through regular litter patrols.
 
Approximately 1,100 groups spent nearly 60,500-person hours statewide removing litter in 2009, collecting an estimated 1.5 million pounds of litter from Idaho’s roadsides.
 
More than half of Idaho’s highways have been adopted, leaving ample opportunities for other groups and individuals to become involved.

The volume of material collected makes a tremendous difference in the appearance of Idaho’s highways, said Sherie Sweaney, statewide AAH coordinator.
 
The estimated value of the cleanup labor is equivalent to more than $730,000 – savings that can be applied to other projects, improving highway safety and driving conditions.
 
For more information about adopting a stretch of highway, contact Sweaney at (800) 443-2878.

Published 5-21-2010