Kress stated approximately 100 volunteers (including numerous repeat performers from prior years) participated over four consecutive weekends beginning September 25th. Over 40 miles of river were cleaned up. Property owners along the river were especially cooperative, providing river access to participants. This was essential as more than 95 percent of river frontage is privately owned.
This year's yield included:
* more than 350 tires
* two tons of scrap metal
* 1,250 pounds of recyclables
* one ton of trash
* many toxic items including insecticide canisters, anti-freeze cans and oil filters
* assorted automobile carcasses, hub-caps and hood ornaments
* and, according to Kress, wonderful experiences, pleasant memories and a great sense of camaraderie.
In addition to volunteers and property owners, the project was supported by many businesses and community agencies. Road crews helped clear the banks in some locations and the Department of Fish and Game authorized the removal of several trees that would have been hazardous to persons navigating the river. The Russian River Flood Control District made a contribution to pay costs of liability insurance and young people residing at Discovery House in Redwood Valley were of great help in many aspects of the clean-up including work at a difficult site with a steep embankment.
Participants celebrated completion of this year's project on October 23rd with a party at Kohn's Kirchen ranch featuring live music, a barbecue (pig feed), sky-diving and a poster contest.
Next year's volunteers will operate under a different schedule. Rather than four consecutive weekends, the clean-up will be held one weekend per month, for four consecutive months (June through September). The first section to be cleaned will be from Redwood Valley to Ukiah, followed by Ukiah to Hopland, Hopland to Cloverdale, and finally Cloverdale to Asti.
Copyright Mendocino Environmental Center 2004
Permission granted to excerpt or use this article if source is cited