Volunteers needed for River Sweep

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, June 14, 2006

Community groups, organizations and concerned citizens are now being recruited for the annual cleanup of two local boat ramps.

The River Sweep is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon June 17 at the boat ramps at Ironton and Indian Guyan near Chesapeake.

The event covers the entire length of the Ohio River and has participants from six states. The Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) is partnering with the Lawrence-Scioto Solid Waste Management Commission to sponsor the Sweep.

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Volunteers are a vital part of the cleanup’s success, said Stephanie Helms, education coordinator with Lawrence-Scioto solid waste office.

Usually, there are about 50 who come out, she said. But, this year there will be the need for more volunteers because of the amount of trash at Indian Guyan — a new site chosen this year because of the terrible condition it is in, Helms said.

Indian Guyan replaces the former clean-up site, Symmes Creek, which has made a dramatic turnaround, she said, because of the hard work by creek’s restoration committee.

“Indian Guyan is in desperate need of attention,” Helms said. “We are hoping that we can get most of the trash and other items removed from down there. We’ve had several people call in about its condition. I’ve personally looked at it and know how bad it is. It’s just not usable.”

The Ironton Boat Ramp has been a site for cleanup since the River Sweep began 17 years ago.

Those who want to lend a hand at either of the sites can call (740) 532-1231.

Overall, ORSANCO organizers say the River Sweep has been an important part of keeping the Ohio River clean.

“In the years that the River Sweep has been in operation, more than 80 million tons of trash and debris has been removed from the Ohio River,” said Jeanne Ison, project coordinator.

She said the clean up is especially important during the spring months because of the amount of debris and trash that collects along the river during the winter. This is compounded by high water or flooding,

Volunteers collected more than 9,000 tons of trash last year alone, Ison said.