Chilliwack Progress
Cleanup a way to show stewardship
By Jennifer Feinberg - Chilliwack Progress
Published: September 25, 2008 6:00 PM The world-class recreational waterway known as the Chilliwack/Vedder River will be the site of a major cleanup Sunday morning to celebrate World Rivers Day.
“Most of the user groups on this pristine river system have a real and true appreciation for it, and are disappointed by the continued abuse of the resource by the very few,” said Lew Chater of the Chilliwack/Vedder River Cleanup Coalition.
They’re hoping more than 250 volunteers will get out the gloves and boots and hit the river banks for the cleanup, he said. It’s the 25th cleanup on the Chilliwack/Vedder the coalition has hosted, and the seventh fall event in conjunction with B.C. Rivers Day, which has become World Rivers Day.
Organizers consider the cleanup an ideal way for anglers and others on the river to give back, since it’s one of the most heavily used river resources by recreational groups in B.C. Cleanup volunteers pull out tons of trash out of the bush every year, including hazardous garbage like old batteries and paint cans, as well as food containers, fishing line, household furniture, and appliances.
Participants will be assigned to different sections of the Chilliwack River, and up until recently there were 21 sections of the river spoken for in the Adopt-A-River program.
“A couple of those sections are up for adoption again,” Chater said.
River celebrations are all about promoting river stewardship, according to World Rivers Day chair Mark Angelo.
“It highlights the many values of rivers and strives to increase public awareness and hopefully encourage the improved stewardship of rivers around the world. Rivers in every country face an array of threats, and only our active involvement will ensure their health in the years ahead.
World Rivers Day evolved out of the “incredible success” of B.C. Rivers Day in the province over the past 28 years, he added, and there are now events worldwide.
Ultimately the group of local river stewards are focused on protection and access issues.
“We’re also concerned about maintaining continued access to the river,” said Chater. “Because the easiest way to stop the damage and the dumping would be to close off or restrict access in some way. So as users, we want to maintain the pristine wilderness, while maintaining access. That’s why we’re out there cleaning up other people’s messes.”
The river celebration will start with a river cleanup. Registration get going on Sunday, Sept. 28 between 8:30 a.m. and 9:30. a.m. at the Chilliwack Fish and Game Club (48685 Chilliwack Lake Road, across from Thompson Park).
The cleanup runs from 9 a.m. to noon, followed by a barbecue, live bluegrass band, live displays and prize draws.
jfeinberg@theprogress.com