LEE COUNTY, GA (WALB) -
The DNR is helping remove all those roofing nails dumped in the Kinchafoonee Creek near the Blue Hole. They've loaned a dredger tool to code enforcement officers who will dive to retrieve more of the hundreds of nails.
Nearly 700 nails have been recovered from the area since Tuesday.
Saturday volunteers with the CERT team and other officials will close off an area about 1,000 yards long. They plan to search the creek, bank to bank and they want to get everything out of that water they possibly can.
It may be a popular spot to go cool off but this first Saturday of Summer the area will be closed off to the public.
The Army Corps of Engineers and EPD have been notified and Saturday the Community emergency response team along with others will spend the entire day making sure the area is free from any roofing nails or other dangers lurking underwater.
"If it's under the water we are getting it out so it will probably take 6 to 8 hours," said Bobby Spencer of the Lee Co. Fire Department.
Thankfully, an off duty deputy discovered hundreds of the roofing nails before anyone got hurt. Now, crews are on a mission to get the area clean before someone does get hurt.
"I think this was done intentionally to harm people So far hundreds of roofing nails have been discovered. We've picked up between 500 and 700 nails so far..and we were down there this morning and picked up more nails then," said
And there is no telling how many more are out there that's why specialized equipment will be brought in to help crews get as much as they can. Two dredges, divers, support people, and sifters will be used.
And the Department of Natural Resources is loaning this Dredge to help pick up other debris that may lurk in the sand.
Crews have to take special precautions to avoid injuries as they clean the creek, like hard soled shoes and gloves.
All of the people who will be there on Saturday are volunteers, and they estimate just cleaning the area up will cost them $5,000 of their own money. This falls under illegal dumping ordinance and it punishable with up to a $2,500 dollar fine.
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The DNR is helping remove all those roofing nails dumped in the Kinchafoonee Creek near the Blue Hole
volunteers will spend $5,000 of their own money
Nearly 700 nails have been recovered from the area since Tuesday
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