(Note: As a partner with the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) the City of Las Cruces shares this information).
With an increase of litter in New Mexico, the New Mexico Department of Transportation wants to assist local and volunteer partners in conducting an event to help keep all state roadways clean and safe.
The NMDOT is coordinating a Statewide Litter Cleanup Event from 8 a.m. to noon September 18, or longer if requested by our partners. The event requires a sponsor or liaison, which can consist of a representative from a municipality; the Chamber of Commerce; a non-profit group such as a 4-H, church or school group; or even an individual willing to accept the challenge.
The general purpose of the sponsor is to coordinate the event as a whole and tasks include, but are not limited to:
- Coordinate with stakeholders (to include the NMDOT and any municipalities involved in the e-vent).
- Determine the event time and the routes to be cleaned. Interstate routes are NOT allowed.
- Establish a staging location for waiver handout and safety topics guidelines distribution to volunteers.
- Ensure volunteers sign the Release of Liability before participating in the event.
- Schedule and direct volunteers before and during the event.
- Seek donations of items, such as water, gloves, food, and any other needed items that other participants do not provide.
The NMDOT will be a stakeholder in these events. The NMDOT, through Ami Evans, Public Information Officer for District 1, can assist with flyers and dissemination of the event information. The NMDOT will provide all necessary bags and vests for litter pickup along NMDOT routes. The NMDOT will also pick up and haul away any bags collected within state roadways.
Please note that people should not be picking up litter within NMDOT rights of way without authorization and completing a Volunteer Litter Pick-up Event Agreement and Permit form A-1367. It is the coordinator’s responsibility to ensure the permit has been completed, notarized, and approved by the NMDOT as well as all volunteers complete their section of the Permit form.
If anyone is interested in a more long-term litter pick-up, arrangements can be made with the Adopt-A-Highway Program (form A-1284), managed by the District Public Information Officer. A process and release are in place that allows people to perform litter pickup within NMDOT rights of way. If volunteers want to do something on a more regular basis, they are encouraged participate in our Adopt-A-Highway program.
Safety is NMDOT’s number one priority! A list of Safety Information available. All volunteers need to be made aware of all Safety Guidelines and specifications. The NMDOT has also created a video for dissemination prior to a clean-up that can be accessed utilizing the link in the Safety Information section.
Without the participation of all New Mexicans, keeping the state clean would not be possible. Thank you to all who help keep New Mexico beautiful and Can the Trash!