Jefferson County Commission sponsors Litter Gitter trash filtering device in Beaver Creek

The Turkey Creek Watershed’s first “litter gitter” device was installed in Beaver Creek at Pinson Bicentennial Park this week to intercept floating litter from stormwater runoff in the waterway, according to a press release from local nonprofit Freshwater Land Trust (FLT).

District 4 County Commissioner Joe Knight dedicated $25,000 in discretionary funds to sponsor the device for the next year according to Jefferson County Public Information Officer Helen Hays. Alabama-based company Osprey Initiative installs and maintains the devices, removes trash, shares inventory data from the devices, and recycles as much collected litter as possible according to the release.

“They’re not cheap and they must be checked frequently to empty the contents, but I think it’s important. Because unfortunately we shouldn’t have to put these in, but we do [have to],” Knight said. “And we do it to keep our waterways clean. It protects our fish, it protects our wildlife, and it keeps our water clean... So, it’s a good project and if there’s another need, an identified need, we’ll definitely take it under consideration and see what we can do to help.”

Jefferson County’s roads and transportation department has proposed $150,000 in the county’s 2024 budget for additional litter gitters along with other waste classification items according to Hays. If this passes when the budget is finalized in the fall it could fund more than 3 additional units through 2025, Hays said.

Clay resident Charline Whyte said she recently approached Knight about having one installed at Beaver Creek after years of picking up trash in the waterway and noticing how quickly it would reappear.