Licking River will get a clean-up

By Sheree Coleman
Post staff reporter

HOW TO HELP
What: Licking River Cleanup

When: Saturday 20 August from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Whe Volunteers will gather at 10307 Pond Creek Road in Campbell County at 9
a.m.

More information: 800-858-1549 (ask for aquatics education office).



Volunteers have been willing for the last two years, but the Licking River has
failed to cooperate.

Now the river has finally fallen to a level that will permit renewal of what was
an eight-year tradition of cleaning up the stream before high water forced it to
be canceled in 2004.

"Two summers ago, we cleaned the river of more than 400 tires, washing machines,
parts of refrigerators and car parts," said Vickie Rawe, an aquatics educator
for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources who lives in
Alexandria, Ky.

"We live on the water. Our recreation is there. Whether we are fishing,
canoeing, crawdad catching or swimming, we don't want to see that stuff."

The garbage has piled up since the volunteers did their last cleanup. Walking
along the river last week, Rawe counted about 30 tires in one section and more
than 60 in another.

Rawe said that over the years, the river cleanup has become a family thing.
Volunteers don't just come - they bring their families.

Kim Snowball of Alexandria, a teacher at Campbell County Middle School, brought
her entire family along the last three cleanups. This year, she plans to bring
friends as well.

"The tire cleanup is a very rewarding experience," she said.

"When my kids do this, they see that when you pollute the community, it doesn't
just go away."

In the last three cleanups, bicycles, tractor parts, household appliances and
furniture cushions have been pulled from the water or the bank, said Snowball.

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