From Sula to Missoula, volunteers will walk the banks and float the waters of the Bitterroot River gathering trash on Saturday, Sept. 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. They'll finish the day with a free barbecue.
The event has been organized for the past three years by Phil and Doreen Romans.
“It's gone really well these past few years, considering my wife and I did this alone when we started to gather information, get the right people involved and try to get the word out about it,” he said.
Volunteers may either choose to float a section of the river, or walk along the banks. The Romans assign a specific stretch to volunteers. Plastic bags are provided for collection. Following the cleanup is a burger-bratwurst barbecue held at Angler's Roost in Hamilton.
Phil, a Bitterroot River guide, said volunteers find a lot of odd items along the river banks and bottom.
“People would be amazed at the things we find in the river,” Phil said. “Mattresses, tires, car parts, bottles, cans, plastic. It's amazing what people get rid of in the river. The river cleanup used to correlate with Earth Day, but that was always a little chilly and the river was high. We decided to schedule it for later in the summer when it's warmer and the river is lower so you can see more things.”
Trout Unlimited member Doug Nation said the event serves as a significant chance to bring attention to the river's health.
“I participate in the event because I love the river,” Nation said. “For whatever reason, there's significant amount of trash in the river. That's certainly harmful to not only the plants and animals, but to the experience of floating a pristine Montana river.”
The cleanup also seems to be a testament to local interest in keeping the Bitterroot River clean and healthy, as nearly all of the efforts involved in the day are strictly volunteer. From the trash disposals from Bitterroot Disposal to the donated meat for the barbecue, local donations are a big part of the day.
“The people, supporters and volunteers involved really do a remarkable job in helping the event,” Doreen said. “All of our local grocery stores have donated food for the barbecue afterwards, several fly shops in the valley and a few in Missoula, REI, Costco and friends donating chairs and tables, make the day. It just goes to show that good people believe it's important to take care of and protect our river.”
If interested in volunteering for the annual Bitterroot River cleanup held on Saturday, Sept. 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., call Phil and Doreen Romans at 363-0744.
Reporter Jenny Harris can be reached at 363-3300 or at jharris@ravallirepublic.com
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