Nearly 100 volunteers filled a truck with litter from the Kentucky River in Clark County this weekend.

It’s a sad realization that filling only one truck this year is actually an improvement from years past when volunteers filled two dump trucks with garbage collected from the banks of the river at Fort Boonesborough State Park.

The event was the 25th River Sweep, a collaborative effort between solid waste officials in Clark and Madison counties. The river forms the border between the two and runs past Fort Boonesborough State Park.

Volunteers worked for about three hours Saturday morning collection the litter.

Clark County Solid Waste Coordinator Gary Epperson said the reduction in litter is likely contributed to less flooding this year than past years. The event has been cancelled in recent years because of high water at the site of the clean up initiative.

Besides the aesthetic aspect, keeping the river clean is important for the wildlife and communities living nearby.

Keeping litter out of the water and off the banks of the river can prevent animals from ingesting or getting stuck in the garbage, which can be fatal.

Additionally, Clark and Madison counties draw their drinking water from the section of the river where the litter is collected here each year.

The river is essentially the lifeblood of the community.

While our drinking water is filtered and tested, it is important to preserve and protect this waterway for our safety and health.

Thanks to the many volunteers who took time out of their weekend to contribute to this clean up effort. We are glad to see that less litter needed to be collected, but we acknowledge much progress still needs to be made.

Trash travels, which means garbage tossed other places can end up in the river.

You can help reduce the litter that finds its way to the river by doing your part to not litter.

 

Editorials represent the opinion of the newspaper’s editorial board. The board is comprised of publisher Michael Caldwell and Bluegrass Newsmedia editors Whitney Leggett and Ben Kleppinger. To inquire about a meeting with the board, contact Caldwell at 759-0095.