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Our Passion Is Your Safe Way Home 1440 Bunker Lake Boulevard N.W. Andover, MN 55304-4005 Office: [PHONE REDACTED] Fax: [PHONE REDACTED] www.anokacounty.us/highway Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer Adopt-a-Highway Terms and Conditions Program Description The Anoka County Adopt-a-Highway (“AAH”) Program was established to maintain the beauty of the county highway right-of-way and ditches, with help from the community. The AAH Program currently has 188 segments along the Anoka County highway system, varying from one to three miles in length. Community participants have the opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to maintain and keep the county right-of-way and ditches clean, by adopting segments of the highway system. Participants, such as single families, 4-H Clubs, Girl and Boy Scout Troops and Packs, snowmobile clubs, etc., are welcome to apply for a segment of county highway. Terms and Conditions • The group agrees to pick up litter a minimum of twice per year on a specific Anoka County highway segment. • The recommended segment length is two miles. The segment will be determined during consultation with the Program Coordinator; at Anoka County’s discretion, certain highways may not be eligible for the AAH program. • Highway segments are offered on a first come, first serve basis. • Approved permits are valid for a two-year term; groups in good standing may re-apply every two years. • Highway Department maintenance crews will be scheduled to pick up the filled bags, based on the date an event is scheduled with the Program Coordinator; therefore, if the event is not held on the scheduled day, the Program Coordinator must be contacted as soon as possible so the crews do not go out to pick up the bags. • Because a limited quantity of supplies are available, borrowed and unused supplies must be returned to the Anoka County Transportation Division within one week after the event day. As a courtesy to other groups, please adhere to this timeline. Getting Started • Contact the Program Coordinator at (763) 324-3113, or email [EMAIL REDACTED], to start the process. • Choose a group representative and group name. The group representative will sign the permit on behalf of the group, serve as the main contact with the Program Coordinator, and be responsible for the safety of the volunteers. Planning the Event Day • The group representative must contact the Program Coordinator to schedule the date your group wants to pick up litter. • Safety vests and bags must be picked up by the group representative at the Anoka County Transportation Division (ACTD) offices, located at 1440 Bunker Lake Boulevard N.W., Andover, during regular ACTD hours. On the Event Day • Wear “work” clothing: long sleeve shirt, long pants, work boots or leather shoes, gloves, and a hat. • All participants must wear an approved AAH safety vest. • Each participant must bring and wear their own gloves. • Sunscreen and insect/tick repellent are strongly encouraged. • Water, a first aid kit, and cell phone should be available. • All participants must review the safety information provided by the ACTD before each event. • When filling the trash bags, leave enough space in the bag to secure the contents by tying the bag ends together. • Place filled trash bags on the shoulder slope, close to the ditch bottom. Revised February 2023 ---PAGE BREAK--- General Safety Guidelines • We want the event to be safe and enjoyable for your group; therefore, events must be held only during daylight hours. Events cannot be held when roads are wet, or visibility is poor. • Events are not allowed on certain dates and times, such as on or near holidays, or when construction activities are occurring on the selected roadway segment. • Adequate supervision must be provided to participants 18 years of age or younger. Unless specifically permitted, children 11 years of age or younger cannot participate. • Volunteers should be in good physical health, be mentally alert, and use common sense regarding the safety of themselves and others. • Volunteers should have an up-to-date tetanus shot. • Pets are not allowed. Additional Safety Guidelines to Follow When Picking Up Litter • Face oncoming traffic when you pick up litter. • Work shall be limited to the area between the outer shoulder and the right-of-way boundary. • For the safety of the participants, no litter pick up activities will be allowed in median areas or roundabout center islands unless specifically permitted by ACTD. • Use a trash picking tool whenever possible to minimize direct contact. • Participants should not touch any abandoned containers or suspicious/hazardous objects found in the right- of-way. The group representative must contact the Program Coordinator immediately to report any suspicious or hazardous objects found in the right-of-way. • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth while picking trash. • Avoid open water, ravines, bridges, overpasses, and retaining walls. • Avoid poison ivy and other noxious weeds. • After trash picking is complete, use soap and water, hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, or disinfectant wipes to wash your hands. Anoka County Highway Department’s Role • ACTD will provide volunteers with safety information, AAH safety vests and trash bags. • ACTD Maintenance crews will remove the filled trash bags and all large, heavy, or hazardous items on the next business day following the Event Day. • ACTD will erect a sign for groups that agree to adopt a highway with a minimum two-year commitment. Sign Guidelines o Signs will contain the group name only and will be limited to two lines of 18-20 characters, including spaces and punctuation. o Signs may not contain any political, social, or advertising messages. o Names of political individuals that are currently in office or candidates that are running for office are not allowed. Individual names are allowed, but not titles John Smith, not Senator John Smith). o Names of volunteer groups supporting a candidate for office are not allowed. o The name of a political group (“Republican Party”) is allowed, but not the candidate name. o No business logos, special lettering, or additional colors. o No product names, slogans, or colors. o No advertising directions or business addresses. o No website, email address or social media handles. o Anoka County reserves the right to approve and/or edit names or acronyms. Anoka County Adopt-a-Highway Program Coordinator – [PHONE REDACTED] or [EMAIL REDACTED] Business Hours: Monday thru Friday 7:30 am – 4:30 pm Anoka County Transportation Division 1440 Bunker Lake Boulevard NW Andover, MN 55304 Revised February 2023