TSRA Clear Creek Cleanup 

Clear Creek ­ Jett to Nemo Cleanup May 19, 2001


In conjunction with National River Cleanup Week (May 12 - 19, 2001) the Tennessee Scenic Rivers Association, TSRA, will sponsor a cleanup of Clear Creek (Jett to Nemo) on May 19, 2001. We will meet at the Obed Wild and Scenic office in Wartburg at 10:00 AM CDT (11:00 AM EDT). See "the Map" page for directions.

We will at least cleanup the access points. If there is water we will run a sweep of the river. All interested individuals and clubs are encouraged to help with this effort.

We are extremely lucky that the Obed Wild and Scenic River is as clean as it is. However, this week I have been watching the banks trying to determine if urban trash is along this section of river. Yes, there is some. Even half an aluminum canoe wrapped around a tree on river right was located. Several 10-foot sections of plastic pipe are located just up stream from Lilly Bridge on river right.

The tenth annual National River Cleanup Week® will take place May 12-19, 2001. Each year National River Cleanup Week encourages cleanups of local waterways and promotes the importance of keeping rivers and streams clean. More than 54,000 volunteers took part in the last cleanup experience from June 3-10, 2000. Civic clubs, businesses, paddle sports enthusiasts, fishing groups, outfitters and conservation groups join together across the country to organize and execute cleanups of their selected streams. This stimulates cleanups of blighted areas and helps communities focus attention on neglected waterways.

Since the beginning of National River Cleanup Week® in 1992 - 326,707 volunteers have participated in 4,079 cleanups covering 80,451 miles of shoreline and waterways! Many groups report that their efforts are paying off with greater awareness and community support occurring on the local level.

National River Cleanup Week® assists local groups with information on how to conduct a successful river cleanup, how to promote their event, and provides safety tips. Groups that register their cleanups may receive free National River Cleanup trash bags for cleanups occurring during the week of May 12-19, 2001. Trash bags are subject to availability. Groups that register receive a packet of educational materials prior to the cleanup week. A video
on "How to Conduct and Organize a River Cleanup" is available for $10.95.