Peninsula Daily News news services
PORT ANGELES — Online registration is open at www.coastsavers.org for volunteers wanting to take part in the annual Washington Coast Cleanup on April 19.
As in the past, the cleanup will extend from Hobuck Beach near Neah Bay to Cape Disappointment.
New this year, organizers said, will be the opportunity to clean some beaches along the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Washington CoastSavers, which organizes the event, has selected nearly a dozen beaches from Bullman Beach to Port Williams for cleaning.
See different stretches
“This is a great chance to see some new stretches of beach you may have never visited,” said Jon Schmidt, the group’s coordinator.
“It’s your pick. We can use your help wherever you’d like to be that weekend.
“The debris levels may not be making news, but there is garbage to pick up, and it won’t be done without your support.”
As a way of thanking the hundreds of volunteers that turn out, organizers and partner groups will offer free food at various locations following the cleanup.
Here are some of the planned locations:
■ Port Angeles: The Landing mall, noon to 3 p.m.
■ Forks: Kalaloch Campground, Kalaloch Lodge, noon to 3 p.m.
Also, volunteers planning to work in the Forks area for the cleanup will have the chance to take in the River and Ocean Film Festival in the Forks High School auditorium from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. April 19.
The film festival is free and open to the public, and will showcase films looking at relevant environmental issues.
■ LaPush: Three Rivers Fire Station, Surfrider Foundation, noon to 3 p.m.
■ Neah Bay: Hobuck Beach, Surfrider Foundation, noon to 3 p.m.
■ Sekiu: Chito Beach, Lions Club, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
■ Westport: Twin Harbors State Park, Surfrider Foundation, noon to 3 p.m.
■ Ocean Park: Klipsan Beach, Peninsula Senior Center, noon to 1:30 p.m.
If you will be wilderness camping within Olympic National Park as part of the cleanup, volunteers will need to check in at the Olympic National Park Wilderness Information Center at 3002 Mount Angeles Road in Port Angeles to get a permit.
But camping and permit fees will be waived for cleanup participants on the nights of April 18 and 19.
Front-country camping at the coastal campgrounds is on a first-come, first-served basis, and camping will be free for participants the same two nights.
The park also will waive all wilderness permit fees and entrance fees for coastal areas during the cleanup for participants.
The wilderness center in Port Angeles will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For hours, directions, trail status and other information, phone the center at 360-565-3100.
