PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — A group that promotes environmental protection and outdoor recreation is creating a pilot program in South Dakota to try to keep trash out of the Missouri River.

The Izaak Walton League is using a $10,000 grant from the South Dakota Community Foundation to fund the effort in Pierre, Fort Pierre and Yankton.

The group holds annual river cleanup events. Regional Conservation Director Paul Lepisto tells the Capital Journal volunteers in the Pierre area pick up an average of 2.5 tons during the events. He says the new project is aimed at preventing that trash from getting there in the first place.

The program will focus on educating the public about how trash gets into the river. Lepisto says a Missouri-based group has found storm sewers are the biggest culprit.

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