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River Sweep set for Saturday

June 19, 2008|Acquanetta G. Donnell Jr.

The annual Kentucky River Sweep will take place Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fort Boonesborough State Park beach.

Organized by solid waste management leaders, the sweep will consist of cleaning up trash and debris that have washed downriver from upstream and the river's tributaries. The Kentucky River borders 18 miles of Clark County.

Local officials are expecting 80 to 120 volunteers to help clean the river this weekend. They are also looking forward to restoring the river back to its natural state during the sweep.

Volunteers will be shuttled up the river and down the banks by members of the Boonesborough Boat Club.

Gary Epperson, solid waste coordinator for Clark County, said, "It's something that we all should be involved in, protecting our river."

Not many volunteers turned out for last year's sweep because the river water had not been high the previous year.

"If we get at least 40 to 50 volunteers, we should be finished picking up by 11 that morning," Epperson said.

Epperson said this event helps Kentucky keep a healthy environment as well as good economic development.

"A clean environment is a healthy environment," he said.

During the sweep, most of the trash and debris is pushed by the current, to the Clark County side of Lock 10 of the state park.

Groups will be meeting in the morning at the beach located off Boonesboro Road just over the Clark County border. Epperson is advising all volunteers to remember to bring sunblock and a good pair of tennis shoes. Lunch will be provided to all volunteers.

"Not only are the citizens of Kentucky affected by unclean waters, but as well as the wildlife that's here," added Epperson.

Contact Acquanetta G. Donnell Jr. at adonnell@winchestersun.com.

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