|
Clay County groups, individuals and businesses are being encouraged to adopt a
section of the Elk River as part of the first-ever Elk River Cleanup set for June
5-20.
"It's a huge effort," said Greg Rote, a district manager in the Pollution Prevention
and Open Dump Program. "It's going to take a lot of people power."
The Elk River Cleanup is the first collective effort to beautify littered sections of
the Elk River from Clay County line to Clay County line. The Department of
Environmental Protection's PPOD program, the Clay County Solid Waste
Authority, the Human Resource Development Fund, the Clay Family Resource
Network, the
Division of Natural Resources and the Department of Health and Human
Resources are sponsoring the cleanup.
"Some people have already come out to choose their section of the river," Rote
said. "We're hoping for a huge turnout for this."
Rote says he was approached by Clay residents who wanted a massive cleanup
of the river. It's an unprecedented effort because most PPOD cleanups involving
volunteers don't last more than a few days at a time and they take place in
smaller areas. The Elk River Cleanup will stretch for approximately 46 miles.
Boats, trucks,
trailers and other cleanup artillery will be used during the effort.
"It's a unique request, but when people approach us for help, we do what we
can. They want to see the river beautiful and clean and are willing to roll up their
sleeves
and work with us," Rote said. "We're all for that."
Volunteers from the sponsoring agencies have been planning the event for
months. A logo contest resulted in T-shirt and poster designs from Clay County
students,
grades 1 through 12. The overall winner was Kristen Clonch, 16, a junior at Clay
County High School. Her depiction of a wild turkey on a sign won her $200 in
savings
bonds. Her artwork will be featured on T-shirts.
The winner in the high school division was Darrell Ray Drake, 17, a junior at Clay
County High School. He won a $100 savings bond. The junior high division winner
was Amber Harris, 12, a seventh grader at Clay Middle School. She won a $100
savings bond. Two students in the elementary school division tied for top prize.
Jared
Casto, 11, a fifth grader at Valley Fork Elementary, and Clay Elementary School
first grader Teyah Powers, 7, will have their artwork made into posters to
promote the
cleanup.
To volunteer, adopt a section of the river, or for more information on the cleanup,
contact Greg Rote, (304) 558-7763.
For copies of artwork from the logo contest, contact Lalena Price, Public
Information Office, at (304) 558-0886,
or by e-mail at lprice@wvdep.org
|
