Locals help clean beaches of Hurricane Sandy aftermath Saturday

CLEVELAND - Several local residents participated in the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ organized coastal cleanup Saturday afternoon.

The event was organized to help clean up the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy along Ohio's coast.

The tourism industry along Ohio's Lake Erie shore creates $10 billion annually for Ohio's economy. Currently, several groups are working together to clean up the coastline to benefit local communities, counties and the state.

Volunteers cleaned the ares including the Cleveland Lakefront State Park sites of East 55th Street Marina, Euclid Beach, Villa Angela and Wildwood from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

 "Whether people are visiting in the summer, winter, spring or fall, we want them to have a positive interaction with Ohio's natural resources so they return on future trips," said ODNR Director James Zehringer. "By working together to clean up the aftereffects of Hurricane Sandy, we can benefit coastal communities, counties and the state of Ohio."

"Lake Erie is feeling the hurt from Sandy's blast, but we are pleased to be able to give Ohioans a chance to help the Great Lakes in a time of need," said Joel Brammeier, president and CEO of the Alliance for the Great Lakes.

 A listing of additional sites where volunteers may help remove litter will be posted on the Office of Coastal Management's website: http://www.ohiodnr.com/coastal