Galen Kusic, Editor

For anyone that has noticed how clean Interstate 780 west of Southampton to the Interstate 80 interchange is, you can thank Caltrans’ Adopt-A-Highway (AAH) program and the In Honor of Mother Earth team.

Benicia residents Sindy Harris and her husband Steve have been cleaning up the area for years as trained Caltrans AAH volunteers, picking up an average of 200 bags of trash per month. But due to the Covid-19 pandemic, they have been forced to stop per orders from the state.

“I wanted Benicia citizens to know what is going on with their roadway, when they see the inevitable accumulation of trash along the freeway,” she said.

Harris recently received a letter from Caltrans Adopt-A-Highway Statewide Coordinator Trent Manning informing them that all AAH scheduled cleanups are canceled through April.

“Litter removal is a vital function in keeping the state’s highway system safe,” wrote Manning in an e-mail. “It is also vital in keeping the state’s water supply clean. AAH participation is a big part in achieving this goal. I’m hoping we get back to normal AAH participation soon.”

But the order hasn’t stopped Harris from continuing to make a positive impact on the Benicia and Vallejo environment.

“Picking up the freeway is the ultimate form of social distancing since there is no one on the freeway,” she said. “Yet, this program was canceled with no exceptions for teams of solo individuals or couples who live and work together.”

Harris feels this order was a case of overzealousness, but the team has adapted to continue their quest to keeping Benicia and Vallejo streets clean and safe. Following the state’s social distancing guidelines, the In Honor of Mother Earth team is devoting its time to cleaning up Benicia’s dirtiest streets, picking up 12 bags of trash last week along a mile stretch of Columbus Parkway.

A recent Harvard study found long-term exposure to air pollution was associated with a 15 percent increase in Covid-19 deaths. While this may not necessarily fall into the air pollution category, trash degrades soil and water quality the longer it builds up, which ultimately can have adverse effects on public health, the environment and wildlife.

“Last week, we picked up seven bags of trash from Southampton Dr.” said Harris. “We will be back someday to I-780. Until then, please show a little respect to our earth and to each other.”

She thanks Republic Services for agreeing to pick up their bags on Columbus Parkway. They have found a hauler that is willing to accept a low fee to pick them up going forward and will pay for it out of pocket. Matthew, with Iamhaulingforyou, even picked up a load for free.

“I want to assure everyone that Steve and I are taking every precaution in picking up,” said Sindy. “We are trained CalTrans Adopt-A-Highway volunteers, so we know safe practices and don’t take risks. We wear gloves, use pickers and never touch the trash, and of course, wash thoroughly after every pick up.”

Harris’ latest clean up project is on Bayshore Road near the Industrial Park and Port of Benicia. Over several days of picking up there, they collected 51 bags of trash.

“We saw one runner and one walker, which of course, we stayed more than 100 feet from,” she said. “Both were very thankful for our efforts. I would hope the City would see it the same way.”

Unfortunately for Harris, the City has not.

City Manager Lorie Tinfow has requested Harris to cease clean-up operations until shelter-in-place orders have been lifted.

“Even though I’m sure you are being as safe as possible, you are still exposing yourself (and I presume others) unnecessarily,” wrote Tinfow in a letter. “We are having issues with some folks in town not taking this emergency seriously and not staying home. I would appreciate your help with modeling the right behavior for everyone.”

While Tinfow recognized Harris’ efforts to keep Benicia clean, she asked “that you put your efforts on hold until this emergency is past.”

Harris wants to emphasize the complete safety of what she and her husband are doing, and for everyone to follow the recommended guidelines to keep everyone safe.

“Many of my friends throughout the Bay Area are complaining about the increase in garbage on all the roads,” she said.

Harris has been recognized for her efforts on the front page of the Vallejo Times-Herald and was featured in a CBS-5 KPIX story. While picking up trash on the freeways isn’t currently allowed, Benicia’s streets are getting a makeover.

“All Californians should come together, so we can all get through this crisis,” said Manning. “I’m sorry for any confusion this has caused, and again I would like to thank you for your past and continued participation in the AAH Program.”