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Tire debris cleared from Southwinds Marina

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Angela Martin
  • 47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Recent cleanup efforts took place at Laughlin's Southwinds Marina at Lake Amistad, where thousands of tires were removed from the shorelines as an effort to provide a safer, cleaner environment for Laughlin Airmen to enjoy.

According to Gene Moore, 47th Civil Engineer Squadron, old WWII Jeep tires had been installed in the marina decades ago by the Army Corps of Engineers to protect the marina from high winds. However, powerful storms throughout the last 30 years damaged the structure. The summer of 2011 brought storms too powerful for the wave breaks to handle anymore.

"When the storms came through, the wave breaks completely broke and the tires were spread everywhere throughout the marina," said Moore.

A portion of the lake, Diablo East, was one area that had more than 2,000 tires littering the shore. To make matters worse, the tires were grouped in bundles of 17 and some were under water. With the help of volunteers from Laughlin, Defense Logistics Agency and National Parks Service, every tire was removed from the marina, leaving a cleaner and safer environment behind.

"The National Park Service International Boundary and Water Commission came together with Laughlin to help with the project," said Mike Easterly, 47th Force Support Squadron. "A major joint effort was the only way to get the job done and get it done well."

This was the third cleanup effort since 2001. Prior to these cleanups, tires were being removed on an as needed basis.

"These tires are an eye sore and customers were beginning to complain about them," said Easterly. "Regardless of how the tires got here, this is a national park and we should keep it as beautiful as we can."

The tires were also imposing an environmental hazard to animals in the water. Wildlife was eating foam deteriorating from within the tires, which was killing them.

"Lake Amistad has a great reputation for being among the clearest waters in Texas and is the top bass fishing destination in the world," said Easterly. "We are doing our part to leave this land as we found it and save the integrity of nature."

This past summer, more than 300 bags of trash were removed from the marina and concrete barriers are in place to eliminate the need for wave breaks made from tires. Other cleanup efforts have been scheduled, including the removal of an old fuel tank area. Easterly ensured that maintaining the marina is a constant effort that not only benefits the environment, but Laughlin's Airmen as well.

"The marina is one of the biggest morale boosters for our Airmen," said Easterly. "It is a great spot to get out with friends and family for boating, camping and picnics. We want to make sure it stays pristine and beautiful."