for the News-Tribune
RIDGELEY — The Allegany County Chamber of Commerce sponsored Potomac River Project’s “Clean It” Committee will be holding its first public cleanup of the stretch of the North Branch of the Potomac River between Cumberland and Ridgeley on Saturday, Oct. 31, and organizers say that volunteers are needed to help make the day as successful as possible.
“We need people with waders who are willing to go into the water,” says Mark Bowen, committee chair.
“But,” Bowen adds, “there will be plenty of work for everyone who is there to help, whether you go into the water or not.”
The clean-up effort will focus on removing trash and tires from the river bed and the banks of the North Branch immediately down-river from the dam beneath the “Blue Bridge” between Cumberland and Ridgeley.
see ‘CLEAN IT’ page 13
There will likely be a range of volunteers, from elected officials to children. The volunteers will assemble at 8 a.m. at the lookout along the railroad tracks between the Canal Place and the River on Oct. 31, rain or shine.
The cleanup will continue until 2:30 p.m. and participants are asked to bring gloves, boots, and long
sleeve shirts and jackets.
There is no need to pre-register.
For more information on the clean up effort or the Potomac River Project call the Allegany County Chamber of Commerce at 301-722-2820.
The Potomac River Project is a multi-faceted endeavor involving a wide range of governmental, environmental, business and community interests who ultimately hope to see the stretch of the river through the Cumberland and Ridgeley areas become a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, an engine for economic development, and the pride of the entire region.
These projects include providing direct access for boats and other recreationalists at Cumberland's Canal Place and conducting a feasibility study on the removal of the dam beneath the Blue Bridge. These projects will reconnect the local community with the Potomac River and give everyone a safer, more enjoyable place to bring their families.
The brainchild of Allegany County Chamber of Commerce President Kolin Jan, the project was born out of a visioning session that Jan organized in July of 2009.
“I always thought we should make better use of the beautiful natural resource that we have here, flowing through our back yard,” says Jan, “and when I came to the chamber I made it a priority to find a way to do something.”
This month’s clean up effort was envisioned by Jan as when he recently toured the river.
“The good news is the river is very clean,” Jan says smiling, “but the bad news is that the river is very clean and there are a lot of visible white wall tires in there.”
Jan adds, “We hope this clean up effort on the 31st will bring people out who want to see the river become a show piece of the region.”
