Christmas tree recycling program begins Dec. 21

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Thurmond Lake will accept real Christmas trees beginning December 21 through January 8, 2008. The Christmas trees can be dropped off at Riverside Middle School on Fury's Ferry Road in Evans, Georgia.

The recycled trees will be used as fish attractors in Thurmond Lake. Corps rangers and volunteers will place submerged trees around fishing piers to improve fishing habitat. Additional trees will be delivered to selected ramps around the lake to be used by fishermen who wish to sink their own fish attractors. Anyone wishing to obtain a list of locations where the trees will be available can contact the Thurmond Lake Office at 1-800-533-3478 after January 15.

All decorations, including tinsel, lights, ornaments or bulbs, garland, must be removed from the trees before dropping them off at the recycle location. No household trash should be dumped at this site.

Small trees and brush provide cover for fish, particularly as nursery areas for juvenile fish. In addition, they provide habitat for aquatic insects, essential food during the early stages of development for most fish species.

For more information or to volunteer, contact Ken Boyd or Jay Weidman at the Thurmond Lake Project Office at 1-800-533-3478.