The Shafer and Freeman Lakes Environmental Association (SFLECC) have filed an application with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to join Indiana's Adopt-A-River (AAR) program.

The AAR is similar to INDOT's Adopt A Highway program. In doing so SFLECC is committing to organizing local citizens to help clean trash and litter from a half-mile section of the banks of the Tippecanoe River as it flows through Lake Freeman. The cleanup will occur twice a year.

SFLECC has chosen the half-mile section of banks downstream of the Norway Dam Bridge to the Riverside Restaurant for adoption. The first cleanup is scheduled for Sept. 12.

According to Daryl Johns, SFLECC executive director, "SFLECC is committed to improving the natural environment of the twin lakes. We think that the goals of the Adopt-A-River program match our mission and activities as we strive to keep our lakes clean."

Litter on the shoreline of the lakes is normally the responsibility of individual owners and licensees. The area SFLECC has chosen to adopt is one that sees high use by the public.

In addition to the SFLECC board, committee members, and administrative staff, SFLECC hopes to energize people living or owning adjacent properties in the adopted stretch of the river to assist, for an hour or two twice a year, in cleaning the banks of the river of trash and litter.

President Obama will soon designate Sept. 11 every year as a National Day of Service similar to Martin Luther King Day in January and Earth Day in the spring. SFFLEC has scheduled the first cleanup as part of the September event. The cleanup will be Sept. 12 to allow more people to attend. The second cleanup will take place as part of the Earth Day observance in April next year. It is scheduled for next April 17. SFLECC Board Member Lee Kreul will chair the cleanups.

The SFLECC board of directors meets at 7 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month at the White County REMC. Meetings are open to the public.