(FOX40.COM) -- In Stanislaus County, a local volunteer group is asking the community to step in and help tackle a growing problem: illegal dumping in one of Modesto’s Waterways.

Operation 9-2-99 has been cleaning local rivers and parks for more than a decade. Organizers said they are facing a big job at the Tuolumne River Regional Park, but they can’t do it alone.

“Not a lot of people know this park is here for them, but that’s why we want to clean it up so that we can get people back here to be by the water and recreate,” said Chris Guptill with Operation 9-2-99.

Organizers said debris and garbage have been piling up for at least six months without being addressed. Just last week, a team of 5 volunteers pulled nearly 2,000 pounds of waste from the water, including tires, shopping carts

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