River Sweep collects 12 tons of trash

Though the 80-plus degree temperature Saturday was conducive to taking a dip in the nearest pool, more than 700 volunteers turned out for the 17th annual River Sweep.

Pennsylvania River Sweep coordinator Betsy Mallison said yesterday's cleanup produced 1,211 bags, or 12.1 tons, of trash. Mallison expected the official count to go higher because some sites had not reported in by yesterday afternoon.

Some of the unusual items recovered were a three-piece drum set from Armstrong County, a complete bathroom set with toilet, sink, rugs and towels from Washington County, a hazardous materials suit in Manchester and a stolen car in Beaver County.

Mallison said the cleanup was particularly timely because the city will be showcased next month during the Major League Baseball All-Star game.

"I'm pleased so many people came out," Mallison said. "Without the volunteers, we couldn't do it."

The River Sweep is a multistate effort to clean up the Ohio River basin. Thirty-eight sites along the shorelines of the Allegheny, Ohio, Monongahela, Beaver and Youghiogheny rivers and their tributaries were cleaned yesterday.

More than 40 volunteers came out to pick up trash, trim bushes, remove brush and basically beautify the riverbank along the Allegheny River in the Natrona section of Harrison from Lock and Dam No. 4 to the Brackenridge line, said Don Gallagher, vice president of Natrona Comes Together Association.

Volunteers worked right up against the river. They pulled out rusted bicycles and tires. Crews also worked on the top of the riverbank along Veterans Way, picking up paper, bottles, cans and litter.

Jason Cook, 16, of Harrison, said he wanted to help make the area look better. He said he's witnessed drinking parties and bonfires along the riverbank.

"It definitely looks better now," he said.

Jason's mother, Judy, said she had no problem getting her son up and moving early Saturday.

"He was ready before I was," Judy Cook said.

Last year, 50 tons of trash were removed from the shorelines of the sites in Allegheny County. Mallison said she expected this year's collection to fall below last year's because the shorelines got a thorough cleaning prior to the CITGO Bassmaster Classic last July.