Day one on the river is in the books.
Paul Mead, a volunteer with Allegheny River Clean-up, said work on Monday shifted to the Allegheny River. On Saturday, things got started with Conewango and Brokenstraw creeks.
There are still four more days of the cleanup left. Monday's haul included about 35 tires, Mead said, and went from the old Wilderness Restaurant to the Tidioute boat launch.
Article Photos
Times Observer photo by Colin Kyler
Quite a haul
Dick Klancher, front, and Paul Mead, back, unload some of the trash taken from the Allegheny River on Monday.
Along the way, Mead said workers collected four truckloads of metal. It took 45 volunteers to get the job done.
Another truckload contained plastic bottles, cardboard and four bags of aluminum cans to be recycled. Dick Klancher, another volunteer, noted the work lasted from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
At the end of the day, Mead said the trash collected filled half of a dumpster. The corner of Market Street and Pennsylvania Avenue is serving as a place to store the trash throughout the event.
Although workers have brought in a lot of garbage from the river, Mead said there has been less than in years past. It's evident the annual event is making a difference.
"We're one of the few organizations who has a goal of putting ourself out of work," Klancher said.
For Klancher, getting involved was simply the right thing to do. While a lot of communities talk about doing things, he said, Warren County has proven to be one of the places where people get them done.
Growing up, Mead said, he had an opportunity to enjoy clean waters. Now, he wants to make sure the children of today get those same opportunities.
"People are getting the message," Klancher said. "The Allegheny and its tributaries have tremendous value. This event makes economic sense in addition to feel-good sense."
Those who want to participate in the clean-up can visit www.alleghenyrivercleanup.com and register for the event.