If you "really" want to clean up riverside garbage, read this...

[First Bite]

I've noticed a lot of comments concerning trash along our rivers so I thought I'd post this information. There is a program of SOLV called Oregon Adopt-A-River that is strictly volunteer based. I've been a volunteer with this program for years.

Basically what you do is volunteer to clean up a 2 mile stretch of river twice a year. They will supply you with trash bags, window decals and buttons. You chose the river.

They also have another program called SOLV CUP (clean up program), that is a one time clean up. Again, you chose the river.

Here is the contact information:

Ph#: (503)844-9571 or (800)322-3326

E-mail: erin@solv.org

Web site: www.solv.org

Erin Peters is the person of contact and she has been very helpful over the years. She gave me the go ahead to post her name and number so give her a call and make a difference in this state that we all love. See ya on the river.
Mark

SOLV is an excellent program, and I welcome any and all excuses that I can use to get onto my favorite two miles of river, even if it means picking up some trash while I'm on it.

Personally I'll stick to my current method and clean as I fish. If someone happens to adopt one of the stretches of water that I fish then fantastic. But trust me here, these areas need attention more than twice a year. Especially during the busy times of year.

[Luvtofish]

I have done several of the beach cleanups with SOLV. They are a wonderful group. I just cant stand to leave the trash when I see it somewhere. Maybe the next person in the area will just get to enjoy it with out seeing trash. Fobbman is right it is especially bad during the summer months.

[Gone Fishin]

Hey Mark!

SOLV is an excellent organization, my wife and I adopted the Nestucca River from Beaver to Cloverdale. Even had the Beaverton Chapter of Northwest Steelheaders come down and help clean it! Good info Mark!!!

Great post, I am definately thinking about giving them a call! Thanks!

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LW

[garyk]

SOLV is a good idea. Their beach clean-ups help raise public awareness - and I believe that's the real solution. We shouldn't have to go around cleaning up after slobs.

To that end, when you find a trash pile dumped somewheres if you can find a piece of mail or credit card reciept - anything to trace it to a person - your sheriffs dept. will followup with a citation. In Oregon, if the trash is traceable to you - its your responsibility.

I've been able to nail two slobs by tracing their trash back to them - very satisfying.

[Gone Fishin]

Another good point, garyk!

Last year I ran up the road a few miles from home on the Wilson to see if there were any steelies in a favorite bank drift of mine. I pulled in, and here's bag after bag of household TRASH! Even some old furniture and stuff dumpped right next to the river! Man was I PI**ED OFF!!! I took pictures and then I started digging through the bags of crap, (including crappy diapers) and found some junk mail with an adress, turned out to be a Tillamook address!
Well, I jumpped in the truck and went screaming into town, I was going to make this %^$#@! pick up thier trash! Turned out, the address was for a low-life, scum of the earth apartment complex, so I didn't go knock. Instead I went to the sherriff's office and reported it. Two days later, went back to the same spot and everything was cleaned up! Following Wed. paper had the name of the jerk in the "police log" for; offensive littering next to a public waterway.

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERANCE!

[Bait O' Eggs]

Years ago I knew a guy (late high school age) from Tillamook whos chores included taking the family garbage to the dump. His dad would give him the dump fees and he would pitch the garbage in a ditch and spend the money on beer. The police found some envelopes with there name on it and they got a nice ticket.

Kid got his ass tanned to.

[Salmonator]

Way to go Marty. They deserve what they got. Maybe sentence should include mandatory road/river clean up. They might think twice about doing it again