Chain link fence, trash cans, and dumpsters: Flying J, Exit 2 2022-07-02 | WWALS Watershed Coalition (WWALS) is Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®

The Flying J at I-75 Exit 2 in Georgia has put in a chain link fence, trash cans, and dumpsters, which now seem to keep its trash out of the detention pond, which eventually drains to the Withlacoochee River.

The trash cans and dumpsters are full and need emptying, but that means people are using them, which is a big improvement over the previous situation of just chucking trash on the pavement and into the detention pond.

There is more to do, but this is much better already.

Many thanks to Lowndes County Code Enforcement and to the Flying J.

Trash much more contained

After a WWALS member told me about this problem, I first reported it August 23, 2019, after which Code Enforcment took some action. By December 10, 2019 much of the trash had been cleaned up and a wood fence mostly built. But on February 2, 2022 I reported that the wood fence never seemed to have been finished, and there was trash in the detention pond again. The next month, March 19, 2022, the wood fence still wasn’t finished, and there were still Marie Callendar boxes down into the detention pond.

I didn’t hear much back from Code Enforcement, but I am patient, and being a Riverkeeper is always playing the long game, in stewardship of the waters.

As near as I can tell, the closest creek seems to have no name (we call it Deese Tract Creek). It flows southwest to join the Withlacoochee River just upstream of Sullivan Launch (in the lower left of the map), in Hamilton County, Florida.

Map: Flying J to Withlacoochee River in the WWALS map of the Withlacoochee and Little River Water Trail (WLRWT).

On June 30, 2022, Mindy Bates, Lowndes County Code Enforcement Director, sent me an email update:

The trash has been removed from the wetlands and area immediately around it at the end of the truck lot. They have cleaned out (up) that area twice as the wooden fence was removed during the first attempt and not replaced quickly enough to prevent a re-occurrence. Flying J has now erected what I believe to be an 8 foot high chain link fence where the wooden fence was previously. We are still working with them to ensure the side portion of that lot and waterway remains clear of debris and additional fencing is installed.
There is still an issue with debris in the parking area itself and we are working with them to find a more permanent workable solution. I am hopeful that a more proactive approach will prevent yet another re-occurrence.

Please let me know if you have any additional questions or concerns.

On July 2nd I was down that way, so I took some pictures. Here they are.

-jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®

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Southwest corner with trash cans, 12:36:33, 30.6400729, -83.1896884