HARTWELL, GA -

The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers at Hartwell Lake will accept real Christmas trees for recycling beginning Dec. 26 through Feb. 15, 2008. The Christmas trees can be dropped off at Big Oaks Recreation Area located on U. S. Hwy. 29, one mile past the Hartwell Dam in Hart County, GA. The Corps will use the trees to refurbish marked fish attractors in Hartwell Lake.

Christmas trees can also be dropped off at Twin Lakes boat ramp and Coneross boat ramp in S.C. and Poplar Springs boat ramp in Ga. These trees can be picked up by fishermen at these locations any time for personal use until Feb. 15. The trees should be anchored in 8-to-12 ft. of water. Do not place Christmas trees in the main lake channel or around private docks.

All decorations, including tinsel, lights, ornaments or bulbs, garland, must be removed from the trees before dropping them off at the recycle location. No household trash should be dumped at the site.

Small trees and brush provide cover for fish, particularly as nursery areas for juvenile fish. In addition, they provide habitat for aquatic insects, essential food during the early stages of most fish species.

For more information contact Park Ranger Jess Fleming at the Hartwell Lake Operations Manager’s Office at 1-888-893-0678, ext. 335. Or visit the Corps’ website for fish attractor locations and GPS coordinates at http://www.sas.usace.army.mil/lakes/hartwell/fishing.htm