Adopt-a-Road Overview

The Douglas County Adopt-a-Road Program is a litter reduction campaign designed to remove litter debris from Rural Douglas County roads and improve the quality of the environment. The program establishes a partnership between volunteer groups and the County.

The County provides guidance and equipment to foster safe and effective cleanups and the volunteers do the work of gathering the litter along designated roads. Countywide Solid Waste crews follow up by picking up and disposing the collected litter. Every participant in this program makes a positive impact on the appearance of both the Douglas County road network and the community.

Participant Expectations

Participants volunteer to remove litter along an adopted route for a minimum of two years. The assigned routes will generally be up to two miles long, depending on the roadway topography and traffic volumes. Participants will clean the route a minimum of two times per year: Two miles - twice a year - for two years.

Safety of the participants is primary concern in determining if a route may be assigned. Participants can apply to adopt a currently available route or may apply for a route of their choice. However, in general, routes should be:

Located within unincorporated Douglas County
A collector-distributor route
A minimum of two road miles long
Approved by the Traffic Safety Engineer as appropriate for the program

Participant Requirements

The minimum length and collector-distributor requirements may be waived on a case-by-case basis at the request of the adopting group or the discretion of the County; however, all routes must be located within unincorporated Douglas County and approved by the Traffic Safety Engineer as appropriate for the program.

Adopting groups may be an individual, a club, a business, or group of citizens. There are no costs or fees to the participants. However, participants must be at least 18 years of age, in good physical condition, and have good eyesight and hearing. 11 years of age and older and/or in 6th grade can participate with a signed Parental Consent Form by a parent or guardian.

Provisions

The County will install two recognition signs identifying the adopting individual or group, provided the necessary safety equipment and safety training materials, and provide litterbags and removal of the filled litterbags.

Coordinators

Each group will designate a Primary Group Coordinator and a Secondary Group Coordinator who will act as a liaison between their group and the County. The Group Coordinator will be responsible for overseeing the group and administering the agreed upon rules to the individuals in the group. The Group Coordinator will work closely with the Adopt-a-Road Program Coordinator.

Objective

The purpose of the Douglas County Adopt-A-Road Program is to provide citizens an opportunity to control litter and to improve the appearance of the roads in their community.

Program in Brief

A group (or individual) may adopt a route for litter control for a minimum of two years. The group agrees to adhere to the safety rules and guidelines of the program. The County will furnish safety equipment, but the group will be responsible to be properly equipped (clothing, water, etc.) There are no fees to the participants. The County will pay litter disposal costs. The group will be recognized with signs placed on the route for the duration of their active participation.

Definition of Roles

The Adopt-A-Road Program Coordinator is the County's representative who coordinates the day-to-day operation of the Adopt-A-Road Program.
An applicant is defined as the individual or group interested in adopting a section of roadway.
The County is Douglas County, with the Adopt-A-Road Program being administered by Douglas County Solid Waste Programs.
A Group is defined as an individual or member of a group actually performing work on the road section
A Participant is defined as an individual or member of a group actually performing work on the road section under this program.
The Primary Group Coordinator is defined as the lead individual representing the group.
The Secondary Group Coordinator represents the group as the alternate Group Coordinator.