Local News

Boaters have good, clean fun
BY JEFFREY GAUTREAUX, SUN STAFF WRITER
--See Image(s) Below--

Published on: October 7, 2006

A fleet of about 15 motorboats of all kinds shoved off from Fisher’s Landing Saturday morning, heading upriver with one goal: a cleaner Colorado.

The large group of outdoor enthusiasts picked up trash along the river on the 84-mile trip to Blythe in the Amigos del Rio’s 18th annual Reverse River Run. The group camps overnight near Blythe and then comes back down to Yuma today.

Ron Knowlton, the owner of Yuma River Tours, said his family started the event as a way to clean up the river to look more appealing before the winter tourist season, but it now has a more environmental focus.

"The migratory birds all start coming down right now, so it gets rid of all the plastic, Styrofoam, all the things that create the problems for the environment," he said. "Plus appearance, for looks, which is good for us for the tours."

Trash bags were provided by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s Adopt-a-Shoreline program, and many local businesses donated funds for the event.

Don Keys and Bob Harrison had grabbed their green T-shirts and were preparing to head out. "It’s like a two-day vacation," Harrison said.

Keys said when the group reaches Blythe, there is a barbecue and prizes are handed out for largest amount of trash, most unique trash and other "dirty" categories.

Xavier Martin, 14, was going along on the tour boat with his neighbors Dustin Rau, 12, and Cory Rau, 15. It was the first time that the three had ever done the cleanup.

"I’m excited," Martin said.

About 100 people took part in 2005. There were fewer this year but, Knowlton said, the event goes forward regardless of how many people show up.

Knowlton said that every year, boaters seem to do a better job of reducing littering, so there is less trash. He said this leaves time for socializing on Saturday, but the real fun begins today.

If the boaters see trash on the trip back, they’ll grab it, but that’s not really the point. "Basically, Sunday is just play all the way down the river," he said.

Knowlton said personnel from BLM, the Imperial National Wildlife Refuge, Imperial County Sheriff’s Office and Yuma County Sheriff’s Office all help out with the cleanup.

Jeffrey Gautreaux can be reached at jgautreaux@yumasun.com or 539-6858.


TRASH FOR TREASURE

Prizes were going to be awarded for the best trash found during the Reverse River Run in these categories and others:

• Largest single piece of styrofoam

• Most golf balls

• Most shoes

• Most plastic bags

• Objects with bullet holes




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