Cleanups suspended for present

 I sold the Monongahela Monitor this past weekend.  So, I won't be leading any river cleanups for the present.  Can't really do it without a boat. 

Here's a couple photos.  Going to miss her.

Fireworks on the Fourth

  Sitting on the Mon river in my boat during the fireworks.

Please sign the petition

We only have 13 days to finish the petition drive, and right now only 120 signatures.  That won't impress anyone.  Please sign the petition to get the Army Corps of Engineers to the table to discuss how we can use the cranes on the dam to remove litter from the Monongahela River before it goes downstream. 

The petition is here: 

Here is a blog entry with more information:
http://onthemonongahelariver.blogspot.com/2012/01/whats-up-at-opekiska-dam.html

Well, it didn't happen

Although I had to rush from the Fondue Factory fund raiser over to the river to catch litter from the "debris release" it didn't happen.  And, the Corps of Engineers failed to tell us that it wasn't going to happen, although I had been told that they would release the debris at about 3 p.m. Wednesday.

We had the Monongahela Monitor crewed up and ready to fight litter yesterday evening at 6, but nothing.

I suppose the Corps didn't get as far in their gate inspection, which was the reason for the debris release, as they thought they would.  But for crying out loud, why couldn't they let me know?  I would have stayed at the Fondue Factory and had a few brews with the river supporters who came last night. 

Regardless, here's what I want to say: Thanks to all of you who came to the fundraiser, and to some who couldn't make it but have made donations anyway.  After all these years of working hard to keep the Monongahela River clean in our area, it's sure nice to know that support for this kind of effort is building. 

Debris situation

Just heard from the Corps of Engineers that the debris release is today, Wednesday, June 12.  I'll be at the fund raiser (see below) at 5 p.m., but plan to be at the marina for a cleanup at 6 p.m.   If you are interested in helping with the removal, call me at 304 293-7760. Here's about the last time we did this:  http://onthemonongahelariver.blogspot.com/2011/06/debris-release-june-2011.html
The marina is here.

 Thanks for your interest!

Eat at the Fondue Factory in Morgantown on June 12

Have supper at the Fondue Factory Wednesday evening June 12 and help the Mon River Revival's efforts to clean litter from the river. 

The Fondue Factory is contributing 15% of every check that evening to help this effort, which began in 2006 to remove litter from the river, educate the public about the issue, and improve it for everyone.


We could certainly use the help.  Since the City of Morgantown cut funding because of fiscal issues a couple years ago, I've been paying out of my own pocket for expenses.   There's no money to expand the program; so Capt. Tim and his crew is concentrating river cleanups on just the Morgantown area. 

It's always been a dream to work the entire river, but that would be costly.  So, we're doing what we can.  And this Fondue Factory benefit will really be a big help for this year's expenses.  Plus the food is great!

Have supper at the Fondue Factory, help the river

The folks at the Fondue Factory in Morgantown have agreed to share 15% of their profits on Wednesday, June 12, with the Monongahela River Revival. Wow! This could pay some of the bills for our 2013 summer cleanups on the river.  So, if you are reading this, think about having a nice Wednesday evening in Morgantown.  The Fondue Factory is fun!

Monongahela River Cleanup Schedule, Summer 2013

If you are interested in going out as part of the crew on the Monongahela Monitor for a cleanup, here's the summer schedule.  Usually we leave the dock at 9 a.m. sharp in order to get in before the real hot part of the day.  The dock is located here. An you can park nearby at the parking garage.

One thing: Let me know you plan to come. That way, if I need to cancel for any reason (weather, for example) I can call you. Send me an email here.

Sunday, June 2
Sunday, June 16
Saturday, June 29

Sunday, July 7
Sunday, July 21
Sunday, July 28

Saturday, Aug. 10
Saturday, Aug. 24
Saturday, Aug. 31

Sunday, Sept. 8
Saturday, Sept. 21  (this will be an afternoon trip - begins at 3 p.m.) pre-triathlon

First "quickie" cleanup for 2013

Got out on the Mon with Aaron Sutch of the Mountain Institute last weekend for our first cleanup.

Did the area between Old Lock 10 and the new Morgantown Lock and Dam and also the area near Decker's Creek where we have an information kiosk and litter barrel.  That barrel is working real well.

As you can see, Aaron did most of the work.

It was great to get out on the river and see all the activity. One thing I noticed right away this year: kayak fishing is really taking off.  We saw three people in kayaks fishing when we brought the boat up from Mark's Marine Repair, where she lays up during the winter. Years ago, none.  One person fishing in early May reported landing a 27 inch drum, as the one at left.

By the way, it was nice having Aaron, who is co-chairman of Morgantown's Green Team, aboard.  Not only because he understands environmental issues, but also he can also handle the helm for me.  Very cool.

Some years ago I learned that plastic litter is making its way to the oceans where albatross, for some reason, eat it and die.  Below is a recent trailer for a new movie my daughter brought to my attention.

I've seen lots of photos of dead albatross, with ingested plastic stuff, but I've never seen one actually dying.

It's pitiful. Midway Island is so far away, yet we are managing to destroy life there.
Midway movie.

Petition to Corps of Engineers

Lets see if we can get the government to help us out and get the litter out before it comes down river and goes to the Gulf of Mexico. Click here to sign the petition. Please sign the petition!

Here's an old post related to this.

Getting ready for summer

My river helper Chris with the Monongahela Monitor at Mark's Marine Repair. We got the tarps off her that had covered the boat during the winter, but the top isn't up and in place in this photo.

The Monitor must be laid up each winter for a couple reasons. The 28-foot boat would be a target for large trees that might come down the river in the winter if there's a flood, and also the 130 hp inboard/outboard engine must be drained of water to prevent freezing. It's simply better and safer to have the boat at Mark's during the winter.

Hope to get the boat out this weekend (4/13-14) or next weekend. Then, river cleanups begin in earnest.

Leave a comment, etc, if you want to help out.

Getting the Monongahela Monitor Ready to launch!

The weather is in our favor now, and I'm taking the tarps off the boat and getting her ready to launch soon!

In the grip of Winter

I spell Winter with a capital letter,
and acknowledge that in its fatal "grip"
doth downward the soul descend.

Whether light, that lacketh in the Dim
of darkened Days, is the problem,
I'll admit no knowledge,
Or whether a spirit that dwelleth
in light of the Summer's Sun set the anchor so that,
winds who blow in gray winter taketh away our soul, as did the fish
die and disappear and an epoch change,
and the old die, too.

This, it may well be debated, is Time's trick upon us,
that we must bide the hours slowly as if in Infinity, nay! Eternity.

Ah, summer!

Here are some nice photos sent in by Sue and Jeff from their trip along the river between Morgantown and the Pennsylvania border.  Thanks, Sue and Jeff.