Adopt a County Mile

The Adopt A County Mile (AACM) program is a litter abatement program that offers Harris County residents the opportunity to become active in reducing the tax dollars spent to clean county roadways. The Constituent Support Center is actively involved in the coordination and promotion of this program by helping to develop community interest and involvement. Roadway clean-up programs are a successful means for keeping roadways clean of litter and debris. Additionally, it is an excellent tool to promote civic involvement and community volunteerism.

The AACM program also benefits the efforts of the Clean Water Act, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), and the Clean Water Clear Choice program administered through Harris County’s Public Infrastructure Department Storm Water Quality Section.

Anyone interested in helping with the cleanup efforts of Texas lakes and rivers can contact Keep Texas Beautiful regarding their Texas Waterway Cleanup Program.

Waterways and the Adopt A County Mile Program

Participation in the Harris County Precinct 4 Adopt A County Mile Program does more than improve the aesthetics of area roadways. It also improves the cleanliness of area creeks, bayous, rivers, lakes, bays, and eventually, the Gulf of Mexico. Uncollected litter along roadways flow into area storm sewer systems and eventually discharge into these receiving waters.

Harris County has developed and implemented a comprehensive Storm Water Management Program, which capitalizes on the Adopt A County Mile Program. This program offers a cost effective means of educating and involving the public in enhancing water quality, while also allowing public roadways to be operated in a manner to reduce pollutants in area waterways.

The Harris County Precinct 4 Adopt A County Mile Program is a litter abatement program designed to offer Harris County residents an opportunity to become actively involved in reducing the amount of tax dollars required to keep county roadways clean.

This program encourages participation from school and church organizations, local businesses, homeowner associations, and other civic-minded groups interested in cleaning and beautifying targeted stretches of county roadways in Precinct 4.

Signs denoting the participating organization or group name are placed at both ends of the adopted roadway. The signs acknowledge the organization’s or group’s participation in the program and their involvement in the community.

An interested organization or group must qualify and contract with Harris County for one-year increments to clean a designated stretch of roadway. The location is based on a site determined by the organization or group within a targeted area of Precinct 4. Areas are usually one mile long, but exceptions are made for larger groups.

The participating organization or group is asked to clean their designated roadway at least once every three months. Precinct 4’s Community Assistance Department coordinates clean up times and provides the necessary equipment including safety vests and trash bags.