SANTA FE RIVER CLEANUP; SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2007

SANTA FE RIVER CLEANUP; SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2007

Current Problems Inc./Adopt-A-River Invites
Divers and Snorkelers to a River Cleanup

When: November 10 ( Saturday ) 9:30 AM (Weather and water
conditions permitting.)
Where: Meet at the Gilchrist County Santa Fe River Park boat ramp
on Highway 47.
Contact: Pete Butt 386-454-3556 (O) 386-454-2147 (H)
(call anytime) or KES@atlantic.net

Current Problems Inc./Adopt-A-River invites divers and snorkelers (and
paddlers
and anyone else interested) to a river clean-up on the Santa Fe River.
The targeted section is from the Gilchrist County Santa Fe River Park
boat ramp and Highway 47 bridge upstream to the rapids (shoals). This
beautiful area has been heavily impacted (lots of trash) by tubers and
others over the past several years.

Karst Environmental Services, Santa Fe Canoe Outpost, Adventure
Outpost, Blue Springs, Ginnie Springs, Gilchrist County and AAA Porta
Service, Inc. are supporting this effort.
We will have workboats and lots of canoers and kayakers supporting us.
We hope to work until about 3:00 PM, and we will have hot food and
beverages available. We will have free air
fill chips/coupons from Ginnie Springs, Cave Excursions, Amigo’s Dive
Center and Lloyd Bailey’s Scuba for those diving.

The water has been staying very clear, and shouldn't be too cold; full suits
and hoods will be best, and perhaps a pair of garden gloves. If you have them,
please bring dive flags and catch bags. (Note: all SCUBA divers must
be "certified".)

This is a chance to use your diving skills for a good cause and in
service to the environment. Please contact Pete Butt for more details
and further information if you're interested. More information will
be posted as we get nearer to the date. The Santa Fe River needs your
help.

Current Problems Inc./Adopt-A-River Contact: Fritzi Olson,
352-264-6827, aar@current problems.org

The river cleanup went very well today. There were lots of people out there (OW divers, school kids, boy scouts, locals :-D ). The amount of garbage removed was approximately 2000lbs over a 4 hour period.

Just off the top of my head, I know there were a few golf balls, part of a fishing rod, 2 or 3 newspaper stands, an oil drum, a handful of cinderblock anchors, a nice German knife, articles of clothing, an old car headlamp, a car battery used as an anchor, and of course bottles and can galore. (Boaters on the SantaFe seem to drink really bad beer).

Fun and food was had by all. Thanks goes to all the sponsors, and a special thanks to Pete Butt for coordinating the efforts today.

There were only 5 (Five) cave divers in the water today, which is quite shameful. :( Next year, we definitely need to have a stronger showing.

I hope to see you all at the NACD Seminar next weekend and the NSS-CDS Convention in 2008.