August 30, 2004

Volunteers Sought For Sixth Annual Riversweep Cleanup Event

Boise State President Bob Kustra today issued a call for student, faculty and staff volunteers to join with a countywide coalition aimed at cleaning up the Boise River. The sixth annual RiverSweep is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 18. At least 400 volunteers are needed to lend a hand. The cleanup extends from Barber Park to the Snake River, 40 miles downstream. Volunteers can sign up by calling Jerry Pugh at 384-4060, Ext. 319. At the 2003 RiverSweep, more than 500 volunteers collected 2,260 pounds of trash — enough to fill 15 dumpsters. Items collected included half a couch, a drive train and chassis for an old Ford and more than 70 shoes. In addition, more than 1,500 cans were collected over a two month period from one river eddy alone. An excess of 118,000 people floated or fished along the Boise River between Barber Park and Ann Morrison Park this summer, an increase of 93 percent since 2001. This increased use has led to a corresponding increase in litter, vandalism, bank erosion and riparian plant impact. To help keep the river and Greenbelt clean before and after RiverSweep, the Boise Parks and Recreation department runs the Adopt a Greenbelt program. That program relies on about 20 groups of five or six volunteers to pick up litter on a year-round basis. -30- Media Contact Kathleen Craven Boise State communications and marketing 208 426-3275 kcraven@boisestate.edu